Staying in a Ryokan: Etiquette, Costs & What to Expect

Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

A night in a ryokan — a traditional Japanese inn — is one of the most memorable things you can do in Japan. You sleep on futons on tatami mats, wear a yukata robe, soak in hot spring baths and eat an elaborate multi-course dinner served to your room or a private dining area. Here's how it works.

What's usually included

• A tatami room with a low table and floor chairs; staff lay out futons while you're at dinner (or they're already set up in some inns).
• Dinner and breakfast (often called 1-paku 2-shoku, "one night, two meals"). Dinner is usually kaiseki: many small seasonal courses.
• Baths: shared gender-separated baths, often fed by an onsen (hot spring). Some rooms have a private open-air bath (rotenburo).
• Yukata and slippers to wear around the inn.

How much does a ryokan cost?

Ryokan are priced per person, not per room, usually including dinner and breakfast. As a very rough guide, simple family-run inns might start around ¥12,000–¥20,000 per person; well-known onsen ryokan commonly run ¥25,000–¥60,000 per person; and top luxury inns can exceed ¥100,000 per person. Weekends, Saturdays before holidays and peak seasons cost more. Some inns charge a small local bathing tax (nyūtō-zei) on top. Prices are approximate — check the booking page for what's included.

Check-in to check-out: the etiquette

1. Arrive in the afternoon, typically between 3pm and 6pm. Dinner times are fixed, so tell the inn if you'll be late.
2. Take off your shoes at the entrance and switch to slippers. Remove slippers before stepping on tatami — walk on tatami in socks or bare feet.
3. Tea and sweets are often served in your room on arrival; staff may explain dinner times and bath hours.
4. Wearing the yukata: wrap the left side over the right (right over left is for funerals). It's fine to wear it to dinner and around the inn.
5. Bathe before dinner or after — follow the onsen etiquette: wash first, no swimsuits, keep towels out of the water.
6. Dinner is served at a set time. Tell the inn about allergies or dietary needs when you book, not on the day.
7. Check-out is usually around 10–11am. There's no need to tip; service is included.

Shared baths, private baths and tattoos

Shared baths are separated by gender and usually switch sides at certain times. Many ryokan also offer private reservable baths (kashikiri-buro) for couples or families — a good option if you're shy or have tattoos. Read our tattoos and onsen guide.

Dietary needs

Kaiseki uses fish-based dashi in many dishes, so vegetarian or allergy-friendly meals need advance notice and not all inns can accommodate them. Some offer room-only plans so you can eat elsewhere. See our vegetarian, vegan and allergies guide.

How to choose a ryokan

• Location: hot spring towns like Hakone, Kinosaki, Kusatsu, Beppu, Gero and the Kawaguchiko lakes are classic. City ryokan (e.g. in Kyoto) usually lack onsen but are convenient.
• Room type: "Japanese-style" means futons; "Japanese-Western" means beds in a tatami room.
• Bath: decide whether you want a private in-room bath.
• Meals: in-room dining feels special; dining-hall meals are common in larger inns.
• Size: small family-run inns feel personal but have less English; larger resort-style ryokan are easier for first-timers.

Budget alternatives

Minshuku are family-run guesthouses with tatami rooms and shared bathrooms — cheaper and homier. Many business hotels have a communal bath, and some temples offer shukubō (temple lodging) at Koyasan and elsewhere. See our accommodation guide.