Can I take the towels from the inn home? Can I bring my own towels to the public bath, get extras, or confirm if I'm staying for multiple nights?

Conclusion: Do not take any amenities with you; check the signs and the hotel's information.

You cannot assume that an item is allowed to be taken home simply because it is "packaged" or "has the inn's name printed on it." Items for sale, souvenirs, and items marked as "take-home" can be taken home, but rental items and room amenities are the property of the inn. If there is no indication, it is safest to check with the front desk before taking anything home.

Even if it's included in the accommodation fee, it doesn't necessarily mean that ownership is transferred. If you're unsure, point to the item and ask, "Can I take this small towel home?"My first time at a ryokan (Japanese inn)In that case, please also prioritize providing information about yukata (Japanese-style robes) and room amenities.

There are three ways to place towels.

The Japan Tourism Agency's collection of customer service phrases for accommodations includes an example of a guide that asks guests to bring the small towel and bath towel provided in their room, rather than placing towels in the public bath. This is not a uniform rule for all inns, but rather an example for on-site explanation. In reality, there are three methods:

Public bath usage hoursIf you also check the times when men and women switch places, you can estimate how many times wet towels will need to be changed.Private bath,Guest room bathSometimes a different towel is provided, but don't assume it's shared or exclusive.

The roles of small towels and bath towels

The Japan Tourism Agency, JNTO, and the Ministry of the Environment all advise against putting towels into the bathwater. Small towels should be placed on your head or outside the edge of the bathtub to prevent them from falling into the water. The basic rule is to wash your body in the shower area before entering the bathtub.Complete Guide to Hot Spring EtiquettewithHow to enter a hot springIn can be confirmed.

1. Check the location and number of towels in the room information.
2. 浴衣Take it to the bathhouse along with your change of clothes.
3. Place your bath towel and valuables in the designated area in the changing room.
4. Use a small towel to wash your body in the washing area.
5. Take a bath without putting a towel in the bathtub.
6. Before returning to the changing room, lightly wipe off any water droplets.
7. Please return used towels to the designated location at the accommodation.

Additional towels are available free of charge, for a fee, or on an exchange basis.

If you plan to take multiple baths, such as morning baths, baths that switch between men and women, private baths, and public baths in the hot spring town, the first set of towels may not be enough. When requesting additional towels, be sure to check whether you will receive a replacement wet towel or a new one, how much it will cost, and whether you need to return the old one.

Visiting public hot springsYou may not be able to take towels from your accommodation. You may need to purchase or rent them at the public bathhouse.A stroll through the hot spring town at night,Morning stroll through the hot spring townI will check before I go out. When my luggage increasesLuggage storageAlso helps.

Whether or not it can be taken away is determined on a 5-point scale.

1. Product:There is a record of purchase at the shop or through a reservation plan.
2. Is there an explicit statement?The items are described as "takeaway available" or "souvenir."
3. Is there no lending sign?If it's a rental, equipment, or something that needs to be returned, don't take it home.
4. Is there a collection point?If there is a towel collection box, return the used towels there.
5. If you're unsure, ask:Don't make assumptions based on appearance or price; check with the front desk.

Even if items are collectively labeled as "amenities," they may include both consumables like toothbrushes and rental items like towels and yukata (Japanese-style robes).Points to note when booking a ryokan (Japanese inn)Please save the plan details and compare them with the local information. If you realize you have accidentally taken something home, contact the accommodation to discuss return shipping and payment options.

Do not leave used towels on the floor or in the hallway.

The method of returning towels varies depending on the facility, including using the towel rack in the guest room, the basket in the guest room, the collection box in the public bath, or the front desk. If you put them in bags or trash cans without a designated area, they may be mistaken for waste or collection may be delayed. If they are heavily soiled, do not try to hide it, but tell the staff what is on them and follow the instructions.

When returning items to the guest room, do not place them wet on tatami mats, futons, wooden furniture, or electrical outlets. Use towel racks or designated areas in the bathroom.futons in a Japanese innPlease avoid placing it there, as it will wet the bedding.

When resting after a bath until the sweating subsides, check the hotel's hydration rules. Decisions regarding hydration after drinking alcohol or when feeling unwell are also important.Drinking alcohol and hot springs, measures to prevent heat exhaustionRecommended bathing timeSee also

For consecutive night stays and no-cleaning plans, please check the exchange conditions separately.

For consecutive stays, some accommodations replenish towels in the room daily with fresh ones, while others only replace them on cleaning days, only upon request, or in exchange for used ones. If you request "no cleaning," towels, yukata (Japanese robes), garbage collection, and even water replenishment may be omitted.

Please request the necessary services separately, such as "I don't need you to enter the room, but I'd like to receive two sets of towels at the entrance." Environmentally conscious plans and basic cleaning plans have benefits and conditions, so please prioritize the explanation given at the time of booking. If you are concerned about someone entering your room,Staying at a ryokan (Japanese inn) for multiple nightswithPutting the futon away and taking it downWe will also check that together.

Children, people with sensitive skin, and people who need assistance

Towels and yukata (Japanese-style robes) may not be provided for children sharing a bed or those only paying facility usage fees. Please inquire about the number of children, sizes, and any additional charges before booking, and confirm whether you need to bring your own from home.Choosing a hotel with childrenwithHot springs with a babyNow, please also check the facilities in the changing room.

People with sensitive skin should consult in advance about their preferences regarding detergents, fabric softeners, and fragrances, and if accommodations cannot be guaranteed, they should bring their own familiar towels. Those requiring extra towels for assistance should inquire not only about the availability of additional towels, but also about the route to the bath, the chairs in the changing room, and the conditions for using the private bath.Barrier-Free Hot Spring GuideCheck with.

To avoid mixing up your personal belongings with the hotel's amenities, using different colors or bags will help prevent return errors. (For example, the total amount of items to bring on your trip is...)What to bring on a hot spring tripDay trips areWhat to bring to a day trip to a hot springPlease refer to.

The conditions differ between overnight stays and day trips.

One-day hot springsIn some cases, towels are not included in the bathing fee. While rentals are generally returned and purchased towels are taken home, always check the signage.Footbath StrollSo, if you bring a small towel with you, you won't have to wet the one used in the public bath.

Confirmation form before booking and at check-in.

• Where are the towels located, in the guest rooms or in the public bath?
• How many small towels and bath towels are included?
• Does it also include the number of children and those sharing a bed?
• Additional items can be obtained through exchange, rental, or purchase, and what is the cost?
• Can I bring it to a private bath or public bath?
• Where is the collection/return location after use?
• Exchange dates and pickup methods during consecutive stays
• Is it clearly stated which items are available for takeout?

Instead of asking a single, ambiguous question, it's helpful to break it down into questions like, "Should I take the small towel from my room to the public bath?", "Are there extra bath towels available for a fee?", and "Can I take this towel home?". This will make the answers clearer.Hot Spring Travel GuideYou can check by purpose.

When you notice something is lost, soiled, or missing

If you lose a towel, leave it in the public bath, or it gets heavily stained, inform the front desk as soon as possible without trying to hide it before check-out. Some accommodations have their own standards for cleaning, replacement, and compensation, and simply leaving a similar commercially available towel will not solve the problem. Provide the location and time you left the towel, the type of towel, and your room number, and inquire about whether it can be retrieved and the associated costs.

If, upon entering the room, you find that the number of towels is less than the number of people booked, or if there are obvious stains or dampness, we will ask you to check the condition of the towels with photos or the actual towels before using them. This is because it becomes difficult to distinguish between stains from those caused by use if you report it later. Conversely, opening towels that appear to be spares without permission may be treated as additional use. Please read the packaging and shelf labels, and check the price list if available beforehand.

If you forget your towel, you will be required to pay for its return shipping, and we will follow the hotel's lost and found policy regarding storage period and disposal requests. However, depending on whether the towel contains personal information or is in a hygienic condition, we may not be able to store or return it, so the hotel's decision takes precedence.

If there are discrepancies in the signs within the building, the most recent information for that location takes precedence.

The booking website might simply state "towels included," the room information might say "bring to the public bath," and the changing room might say "use here for used towels." These are not contradictory; they simply indicate the location where towels are provided, how to use them, and where to return them. If you are unsure, tell the staff the name of the bath you will be using and the type of towel you need to return.

Due to changes such as gender-separated bathing times, renovations, peak seasons, infection control measures, and environmental considerations, the current rules may differ from previous reviews. Please prioritize on-site signage, the hotel's official website, your booking confirmation, and the latest explanations from staff over reviews. If the conditions differ between the public bath and the guest room bath, please follow the signs at each location.

Also check your toothbrush, comb, and razor:Other than towels, amenities provided in the room, amenity bar, take-home items, children's items, and replenishment for consecutive nights are all available.Hotel Amenities GuideIt's all summarized here.

Hotel towels FAQ