Ryokan Etiquette
Ryokan etiquette isn't a set of arbitrary rules — it's the fabric that makes a ryokan experience work. Each custom serves a purpose rooted in centuries of Japanese hospitality. Follow these guidelines and you'll move through your stay with confidence, respect, and far more enjoyment.
Arrival Etiquette
Remove Shoes at the Genkan
The genkan is the sunken entryway where outdoor shoes are removed. Step up onto the raised floor in your socks. Staff will arrange your shoes or provide a shoe cubby. Never wear outdoor shoes inside.
Arrive During Check-in Hours
Ryokans coordinate kaiseki dinner preparation around check-in times (usually 3–6pm). Arriving late without notice is genuinely disruptive. Call ahead if your plans change.
Announce Your Arrival
Say "Ojama shimasu" (I'm intruding / excuse me) as you enter. A nakai-san (attendant) will greet you and guide you to your room, carrying your luggage.
Accept the Welcome Tea
Green tea and a seasonal wagashi sweet will be waiting in your room. This is a ritual — accept it graciously, sit in seiza if you're able, and take a moment to appreciate the room.
Yukata Etiquette
Your room will have a yukata (lightweight cotton kimono) and, at most properties, a tanzen (heavier outer robe for colder seasons). These are for wearing throughout your entire stay — not just in your room.
Left over right — always
Wrap the left panel over the right. Right over left is reserved for funeral dressing in Japan. This is one of the most important rules to remember.
Wear it everywhere in the ryokan
To dinner, the onsen, the common areas, and the gardens. At some ryokans, you can even walk to nearby shops or restaurants in your yukata — it's perfectly normal.
Adjust your stride
A yukata wraps around the legs, so take smaller, more deliberate steps. Shuffle slightly when walking in the provided geta sandals.
Don't wash the yukata yourself
Leave it folded in your room. Staff will clean or replace it. If you want a fresh yukata during a longer stay, simply ask.
Onsen Etiquette
The onsen is the heart of the ryokan experience and has the most rules — all of which exist for hygiene and communal respect.
Wash Before You Enter
Use the shower stations (kakeyu) to wash your entire body before entering any communal bath. This is non-negotiable and the most important onsen rule.
No Towels in the Water
Your small hand towel (tenugui) can rest on your head or be left at the bath's edge. Never put towels in the water — they disrupt the thermal balance and are unhygienic.
No Swimsuits
Japanese onsen are nude. Swimsuits are not permitted in traditional baths. If you're uncomfortable, reserve a private rotenburo (outdoor bath) for your group.
Enter Quietly
The onsen is a contemplative space. Keep voices low, don't splash, and don't bring phones or cameras. It's a time to be present.
Tattoo Policies
Many ryokans prohibit tattoos in communal baths (a policy with roots in yakuza associations). If you have tattoos, call ahead or look specifically for tattoo-friendly properties.
Stay Hydrated
Hot mineral water dehydrates quickly. Drink water before and after bathing. Avoid alcohol immediately before entering the onsen.
Dining Etiquette
Kaiseki dinner is a formal, multi-course meal that deserves the same respect as a fine dining restaurant — more, actually, because each dish represents the chef's philosophy and the season's bounty.
Be on time for meals
Dinner and breakfast are served at set times. Lateness disrupts the meal's pacing for both guests and the kitchen. If you'll be late, notify the ryokan.
Say "Itadakimasu" before eating
This phrase (roughly "I humbly receive") is said before every meal in Japan. It acknowledges the effort of the people who prepared the food and the life given.
Say "Gochisousama deshita" after eating
When finished, express gratitude for the meal. Your nakai-san will appreciate it. It's one of the most natural ways to show respect.
Don't rush
A kaiseki dinner might take two hours. This is intentional. Each course is a conversation. Slow down, ask your attendant about the dishes, and enjoy the pace.
Try everything
Even unfamiliar ingredients. Ryokan chefs select seasonal, often rare ingredients — refusing courses without cause is considered impolite. Food allergies should be communicated in advance.
Room Etiquette
No Shoes Past the Genkan
Never wear shoes or sandals into a tatami room. Even the provided geta sandals should stay at the threshold.
Don't Move Furniture
The low table, zabuton cushions, and decorative items are arranged intentionally. Avoid rearranging the room.
Futon Care
Staff fold and store futons each morning. Don't fold them yourself — it implies you're about to check out or creates extra work.
Respect Quiet Hours
Most ryokans have quiet hours after 10pm. Sound carries in wooden buildings. Keep voices and music low in the evenings.
Tipping Etiquette
Tipping is not customary in Japan and can occasionally cause confusion or mild offense — staff may be unsure how to respond to an unexpected cash gift. At standard ryokans, do not tip.
At high-end ryokans, there is a traditional practice called senbetsu — presenting a small envelope of cash to your nakai-san at the start of your stay, not at the end. This is a gift, not a tip for service. It's entirely optional, and most international visitors skip it without issue. If you wish to do it, envelopes and the proper wording are sold at convenience stores.
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