Ryokan are conventional inns featuring the intricacies of Japanese lifestyle. These inns are constructed in different sizes and are found in all over Japan. A tourist should stay at ryokan for experiencing the traditional lifestyle of the Japanese people. Ryokan rooms are decorated in Japanese style with tatami floor. In ryokan, visitors are provided with slippers because shoes are not allowed inside. The guest is supposed to open his slippers before stepping onto the mats which are made up of tatami material.
Yukata, a Japanese dress is given to the traveler during his stay at the inn. In many hot spring resorts a visitor wearing yukata can take a long walk outside the ryokan. In many Western style hotels a guest is not allowed to wear the yukata outside the room. Tourists also get the opportunity of enjoying the Japanese style bath which is the unique features of ryokans . Tourist enjoys the hot spring water used in the ryokans, in many spring resorts.
The meals provided at ryokans are totally different from the food provided at western style hotels. The Japanese style breakfast includes rice and miso soup which are a distinguishing feature of Ryokan. These inns are best known for their wide variety of dishes and local specialties which include rice dishes like domburi, onigiri, sushi. The other preparations include seafood, noodle, yoshoku dishes and many more. But it has been said that, over the years, Japanese breakfast culture has been changed into western style.
The sleeping arrangements in ryokan are also done in a traditional manner. The conventional Japanese style bed, futon is spread out on the floor during night time. Generally ryokan employee prepares the bed for the guest but in many less expensive inns the visitor has to do on his own.
