Click on the questions below to find out more about the ryokan experience.
We are currently producing videos to address the 20 most frequently asked questions about ryokan, so please stay tuned!
- ALL
- Pricing
- Arrival
- Room / Facility
- Going outside
- Food
- Communal bath
【Answer】
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・You typically do not need to make a reservation for the communal bath.
・At many ryokan, you can use the communal bath even late at night or early in the morning (as long as it is not in the process of being cleaned).
[About Onsen]
You typically do not need to make a reservation for the communal bath.
・Some ryokan also offer private, reserved onsen (hot spring) baths. These are great for couples, or for families.
・Most of these “private onsen” fall into one of two categories. You need to reserve the latter type—if you want to do that, talk to the staff when you arrive at the ryokan.
→A private onsen right in your room that you can use whenever you like.
→A private onsen that you reserve for a set period of time. You have exclusive use of the onsen for that period.
・At many ryokan, you can use the communal bath even late at night or early in the morning (as long as it is not in the process of being cleaned).
[About Onsen]
You typically do not need to make a reservation for the communal bath.
・Some ryokan also offer private, reserved onsen (hot spring) baths. These are great for couples, or for families.
・Most of these “private onsen” fall into one of two categories. You need to reserve the latter type—if you want to do that, talk to the staff when you arrive at the ryokan.
→A private onsen right in your room that you can use whenever you like.
→A private onsen that you reserve for a set period of time. You have exclusive use of the onsen for that period.
At many ryokan, you can use the communal bath even late at night or early in the morning (as long as it is not in the process of being cleaned).
・Nothing beats relaxing in the bath and washing away the fatigue of your vacation adventures! Lots of communal baths stay open late at night and are also open early in the morning, but double check, because the baths will close at certain times for cleaning and maintenance.
・To prevent accidents, please refrain from using the bath in the middle of the night or after heavy consumption of alcohol.
・Nothing beats relaxing in the bath and washing away the fatigue of your vacation adventures! Lots of communal baths stay open late at night and are also open early in the morning, but double check, because the baths will close at certain times for cleaning and maintenance.
・To prevent accidents, please refrain from using the bath in the middle of the night or after heavy consumption of alcohol.
【Answer】
Policies about tattoos differ widely from ryokan to ryokan.
In the minds of many Japanese, tattoos are associated with organized crime groups—the sight of one may make fellow guests uncomfortable.
That is why people with tattoos have been banned from most of Japan’s public bathing facilities. ?
However, in recent years, understanding of the different tattoo cultures outside Japan has grown, and some ryokan have different policies, such as:
・No restrictions whatsoever on tattoos
・Decisions made on a case-by-case basis (for example, one or two small tattoos may be absolutely fine)
Moreover, in addition to the communal baths, many ryokan offer private baths in guest rooms or for reserved use outside of guest rooms. Guests with tattoos can use these private baths with no issue.
In the minds of many Japanese, tattoos are associated with organized crime groups—the sight of one may make fellow guests uncomfortable.
That is why people with tattoos have been banned from most of Japan’s public bathing facilities. ?
However, in recent years, understanding of the different tattoo cultures outside Japan has grown, and some ryokan have different policies, such as:
・No restrictions whatsoever on tattoos
・Decisions made on a case-by-case basis (for example, one or two small tattoos may be absolutely fine)
Moreover, in addition to the communal baths, many ryokan offer private baths in guest rooms or for reserved use outside of guest rooms. Guests with tattoos can use these private baths with no issue.
【Answer】
Watch Video
Since the bath is a community space, please keep the following points in mind.
Before Bathing
・Before you enter the bath, wash your entire body in the shower. Get nice and clean.
・Some communal baths are very hot. Getting in too quickly can be uncomfortable, or can cause a sharp rise in blood pressure.
To avoid these issues, and to get yourself used to the temperature, use a washtub to splash some of the water over your body prior to getting into the bath.
Before Bathing
・Before you enter the bath, wash your entire body in the shower. Get nice and clean.
・Some communal baths are very hot. Getting in too quickly can be uncomfortable, or can cause a sharp rise in blood pressure.
To avoid these issues, and to get yourself used to the temperature, use a washtub to splash some of the water over your body prior to getting into the bath.
During Bathing
・To keep the communal bath clean, don’t put your towel in the bath, or even let it touch the water.
・If you have long hair, please keep it tied up when you’re in the bath.
・To keep the communal bath clean, don’t put your towel in the bath, or even let it touch the water.
・If you have long hair, please keep it tied up when you’re in the bath.
Other
・Refrain from taking pictures in the bathing area. As you can imagine, many people would consider that a violation of their privacy.
・Many people simply want to relax quietly in the water. Refrain from talking too loudly.
・Refrain from wearing a swimsuit (or any other clothing) into the bath.
・Refrain from taking pictures in the bathing area. As you can imagine, many people would consider that a violation of their privacy.
・Many people simply want to relax quietly in the water. Refrain from talking too loudly.
・Refrain from wearing a swimsuit (or any other clothing) into the bath.
Please do your part to keep the communal bath clean and comfortable for everyone!
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