Our Japanese Ryokan (旅館) Experience

Ryokan is usually refers to traditional Japanese Inn dating from the Edo period. The main features are the tatami mated floor, sliding doors, futon bedding spread out on the tatami floor, communal baths by sex, and guests may wear yukata (summer version of kimono) everywhere they go.

After we checked out from our apartment, we stayed 2 nights at this ryokan Matsumoto (松本旅館) nearby the Kyoto tower. In fact, this is not a real ryokan but a modern guesthouse converted to give ‘ryokan’ feel and atmosphere without the Japanese garden and a proper viewing platform.

To add the thrill to ryokan experience, there isn’t any bathroom or toilet attached to our room. So for big or small business we need to get out of the room and thankfully the toilet is nearby. For shower or bath, we have to go down to basement where there is a public bath. In both nights, I actually used the bath alone by myself.

This time is basically just a glimpse of ryokan elements, sleeping on the floor and the futon blanket is rather thick and heavy.

Next time I am going to stay in a real ryokan, if I ever go to Japan again.