Guide to Hot Springs and Ryokans for Visitors to Japan | Reservations, Dining, Bathing, Tattoos

Conclusion: Put your reservation number and confirmation details on one sheet of paper.

A ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) is not just a place to soak in a hot spring. It's a stay that includes tatami mats, futon bedding, yukata (light cotton kimono), dinner, breakfast, and hospitality. JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) also states that ryokans generally include tatami mats, futon bedding, yukata, kaiseki cuisine, and breakfast, but not all accommodations or plans include the same things.

If it's your first timeHow to choose a hot spring innThe fee isBudget for a hot spring tripThe reservation conditions arePoints to note when booking a hot spring innUse both methods. Don't rely solely on translation apps; it's easier to confirm important details if you get written answers from the accommodation.

The accommodation plan is divided into sections for price, meals, rooms, and baths.

Don't just decide based on the lowest price in the search results; compare options with the same number of people, meals, rooms, and refund policies.Room onlyYou are free to do so, but in hot spring resorts, there may be few shops open at night.Dinner at the innwithBreakfast at the innCheck the service time.

Please use a name that is easy to verify against your identification document when making a reservation, and accurately register the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of any accompanying persons. Do not make duplicate reservations on other websites, and after making any changes, confirm the old and new reservation numbers and that the cancellation has been completed.

The arrival time, transfer, and dinner schedules should be combined into a single timetable.

Inns may have final check-in and dinner start times due to dinner preparation arrangements. This includes not only train and bus arrival times, but also travel time from the station to the inn, pick-up point, check-in, and room assignment. If there are delays, do not assume you will make it on time; contact the inn.

Check-in at the inn,Courtesy bus,列車,BathPlease check. Large luggageLuggage storageWe will also check the time and target size.

Food allergies, religious beliefs, and vegetarianism can make "things you can't eat" a concrete reality.

The Japan Tourism Agency advises that if you have any dietary restrictions or dislikes, you should inform the inn and request it several days before your stay, if possible. However, they cannot guarantee that your request will be accommodated. It is safer to consult with them before making a reservation.

Instead of simply stating "vegetarian" or "allergy," specify the necessary scope, including meat, seafood, eggs, dairy, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts, alcohol, gelatin, broth, seasonings, and shared cooking utensils. If complete elimination is required, ask the accommodation if they can accommodate this, including cross-contact.

If meals are not included,Allergy accommodations at the innwithRoom onlyWe will compare this, even if you bring your own food.Bringing items into the accommodationMake sure.

Remember the correct way to use a hot spring: undress, wash, bathe, and rest.

In a typical public bath, you undress in the changing room, wash yourself in the washing area, and then enter the bathtub. Do not put small towels or long hair into the water. The bathtub is not a place to swim, so use it quietly. Prioritize any signs or instructions from staff.

1. Check the men's and women's baths and their operating hours at the entrance.
2. Check the location of your shoes, slippers, and valuables.
3. Take off your clothes in the changing room and do not bring your smartphone inside.
4. Sit in the washing area, wash your body, and rinse off the soap.
5. Pour hot water over yourself and gradually get used to the temperature.
6. Do not put towels or hair in the bathtub, and do not swim.
7. Avoid taking excessively long baths, and make sure to drink fluids and rest after getting out.

For detailed instructions, seeHow to use and behave in hot springsHow is your physical condition?Managing your health during a hot spring trip, timeBathing hours at the innI will check. I will not take a bath after drinking alcohol or when I am feeling unwell.

If you're uncomfortable bathing naked, look for a private bath or a bath in your room.

Swimsuits are not required in the general public baths. For those who feel uncomfortable being naked in front of others, or those with specific needs such as assistance or family use, private baths, family baths, or in-room baths should be considered. However, these may require reservations, have time restrictions, incur additional charges, or be limited to hotel guests only.

How to choose a private bathwithGuest room hot springNext, check whether it's a hot spring or heated water, the availability of showers and stairs, and the operating hours. For mixed-gender baths, the rules regarding swimwear, age restrictions, and photography vary from facility to facility.How to use a mixed-gender hot springMake sure.

If individual considerations are needed regarding gender indication or usage categories, we will consult with the facility before making a reservation. We will not assume how they will handle things on the day based solely on the general information on the website, but will save the facility's response.

Please check separately for shared baths, cover-ups, and private baths regarding tattoos.

JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) provides guidance on how to check tattoo regulations in advance and find facilities and private baths that accept tattoos. Acceptance varies from facility to facility, and even small tattoos are not automatically permitted.

Hot spring guide for people with tattoosRead the reviews first and don't make a decision based solely on old reviews on the booking site. If you are refused, do not try to negotiate further, but switch to another facility or a room with a private bath that you have prepared in advance.

For information regarding yukata, shoes, bedding, and in-house facilities, please refer to the information provided by each individual inn.

In traditional Japanese inns (ryokan), you may be asked to remove your shoes at the entrance or guest room door and change into indoor slippers. While it's generally customary not to wear slippers on tatami mats, the layout varies from building to building. Check the signs in the entrance, corridors, dining area, and bathhouse.

Some accommodations allow guests to wear yukata (traditional Japanese summer kimono) inside the building or in the hot spring town, but be sure to check the size, obi (sash), warm clothing, footwear, and whether it's permitted to wear them outside.ryokan yukatawithfutons in a Japanese innThen, during dinner, confirm whether the staff will lay out the futons or if you will lay them out yourself.

If you're uncomfortable with staff entering your room, ask about the procedures for bedding, meals, cleaning, and luggage handling at check-in. If you're unsure, don't just try to imitate what you see; confirm using short phrases or a translation app.

The confirmation message sent to the inn should be short, with each question being kept brief.

Avoid cramming too many questions into one email; include your accommodation dates, reservation name, and reservation number. Instead of simply asking "Can you accommodate this?", specify the target and conditions using numbers. Take a screenshot of the response and share it with your travel companions.

Save cash, additional charges, and cancellation policies before booking.

Payment methods vary depending on the accommodation and booking plan. Even if you have paid online, there may be additional charges such as hot spring tax, beverages, private bath fees, transportation, and children's fees that must be paid on-site. Please check the accepted cards, cash, PIN, receipt, and deposit.

Cancellation fees vary depending on the number of days until the check-in date, the number of people, the plan, and whether it is due to disaster, transportation disruption, or no-show without prior notice.Cancellation fee for hot spring innTherefore, I save the contact information for the booking site and the accommodation separately. I don't assume that simply contacting the booking site means the information has been passed on to the accommodation.

The total amount isBudget for a hot spring tripAccommodation, transportation, meals, taxes, private bath rentals, and luggage delivery are all listed in the same currency. The displayed exchange rate may differ from the final amount at the time of payment.

Emergency contact information and travel insurance should be available for offline use.

The JNTO Japan Visitor Hotline provides assistance in case of accidents, illness, or disaster, as well as general tourist information, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English, Chinese, and Korean. The number is 050-3816-2787, or +81-50-3816-2787 from overseas. In case of emergency, call 110 for police or 119 for fire and ambulance services.

JNTO strongly recommends private medical insurance with sufficient coverage. Before signing a contract, be sure to check not only the coverage amount, but also the scope of services covered, such as interpretation, referral to medical facilities, transportation, cashless payment options, pre-existing conditions, and coverage for hot springs, snow, and outdoor activities.

We save the accommodation's address and phone number, reservation number, insurance policy, passport information, medications, allergies, and emergency contact information on paper and on our device. In case of disasterHot spring trip during a typhoon,A hot spring trip on a snowy roadWe also check and prioritize the latest information from accommodation providers, transportation companies, and local governments.

20 items to confirm before booking.

1. Hotel name, address, and phone number in Japanese
2. Reservation name, number, check-in date, number of people
3. Is the price per person or per room?
4. Tax, hot spring tax, additional charges
5. Online payment and on-site payment
6. Guest rooms: beds, futons, non-smoking.
7. Guest room toilet, shower, and bath
8. Meals included / Room only
9. Last start time for dinner
10. Food allergies, religion, vegetarianism
11. Check-in and delay notification
12. Transportation from the station and the last train/bus
13. Shuttle service reservation and meeting place
14. Public bath hours and gender rotation
15. Rules regarding nudity, swimwear, and bathing suits
16. Tattoo Cover-Up Conditions
17. Private baths / In-room baths
18. Children, assistance, steps
19. Changes, cancellations, and no-shows without notice.
20. Insurance, 110, 119, JNTO Hotline

If you choose a hotel in a remote location for your first night, allow ample time for immigration, luggage handling, and potential transportation delays.Hot spring trip without a car,Solo Hot Spring TripPlease also use pages that match the travel conditions and those of your companions.

FAQs about hot springs and ryokans (Japanese inns) for visitors to Japan