Ryokan Etiquette Guide: Essential Rules for a Comfortable Stay

Staying at a ryokan is a special opportunity to experience traditional hospitality, peaceful tatami rooms and carefully prepared meals.

However, first-time guests may feel uncertain about unfamiliar customs.

Should slippers be worn inside the room? Who prepares the futon? How should a yukata be worn?

Most ryokan manners are based on three simple ideas: cleanliness, quietness and consideration for others.

Learning the basic rules before arrival will help guests relax and enjoy the experience without unnecessary worry.

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What Is a Ryokan? 🏮

A ryokan is a traditional type of accommodation known for tatami rooms, futon bedding, seasonal meals and attentive hospitality.

Facilities and services vary between properties, but many ryokan provide:

Tatami flooring
Futon bedding
Yukata robes
Tea and traditional sweets
Shared baths or private baths
Dinner and breakfast

Some ryokan are simple and casual, while others provide spacious rooms, private onsen and highly personalised service.

The atmosphere is usually quieter and more structured than that of a standard hotel.

Remove Your Shoes at the Entrance 👞

Outdoor shoes should normally be removed at the entrance.

Many ryokan have a small step separating the entrance area from the clean indoor floor. Guests should remove their shoes before stepping onto the raised floor.

Indoor slippers may be provided.

Remember to:

Remove outdoor shoes at the entrance.
Place them neatly where directed.
Wear the slippers provided inside the building.
Follow staff instructions when the entrance layout is unclear.

Staff understand that some guests may be unfamiliar with the custom and will usually explain what to do.

Do Not Wear Slippers on Tatami 🧦

Indoor slippers must be removed before entering a tatami room.

Tatami is traditionally treated as a clean living surface. Guests should walk on it in socks or bare feet.

The basic rule is:

Wear indoor slippers in corridors and on hard flooring.
Remove slippers before stepping onto tatami.
Avoid dragging heavy suitcases across tatami.

When a luggage rack or wooden floor area is available, place suitcases there instead.

Use Toilet Slippers Only Inside the Toilet 🚻

Many ryokan provide separate slippers inside the toilet.

These slippers should only be worn in the toilet area.

Before returning to the guest room or corridor, change back into the normal indoor slippers.

Forgetting to remove toilet slippers is a common mistake. A quick check before leaving the toilet can prevent an awkward moment.

How to Wear a Yukata Correctly 👘

A yukata is a light robe provided by many ryokan.

Guests can usually wear it inside the room, in the corridors, at dinner and when walking to the bath.

The most important rule is to place the left side over the right side.

The right side should be against the body, and the left side should cross over it.

The opposite arrangement is traditionally used when dressing the deceased, so it should be avoided.

The belt can be tied comfortably around the waist. Some properties also provide a warm outer jacket for cooler evenings.

Futon Etiquette 🛏️

In many ryokan, staff prepare the futons while guests are having dinner.

Guests usually do not need to prepare the bedding themselves.

Before leaving the room for dinner, place personal belongings neatly to one side. Staff may need to move the low table and chairs to create space for the futons.

At smaller or more casual properties, guests may be asked to prepare their own bedding.

The arrangement is usually explained during check-in. When uncertain, ask a member of staff rather than moving everything immediately.

Be Punctual for Meals 🍱

Ryokan meals are often served at a fixed time.

Dinner may include several courses prepared and served in a specific order. Arriving late can affect both the quality of the food and the service schedule.

Guests should:

Confirm the dinner time during check-in.
Arrive at the dining room on time.
Be ready if the meal is served in the guest room.
Contact the property as early as possible when delayed.

Breakfast may also be served at a scheduled time.

Respecting the meal schedule is an important part of ryokan etiquette.

Follow the Bathing Rules ♨️

A ryokan may have a shared bath, an outdoor bath, a private bath or a bath inside the guest room.

When using a shared bath, wash and rinse the body before entering the main bath.

The large bath is for soaking rather than washing.

Important rules include:

Wash before entering the bath.
Keep towels out of the bathwater.
Tie up long hair.
Do not swim or splash.
Speak quietly.
Follow any instructions displayed in the bathing area.

A separate guide to public bathing etiquette can provide more detailed information about using shared baths.

Keep Noise to a Minimum at Night 🌙

Ryokan are usually designed to provide a peaceful atmosphere.

Wooden corridors, sliding doors and tatami rooms may allow sound to travel more easily than expected.

Guests should avoid:

Speaking loudly late at night
Playing music at a high volume
Running through corridors
Slamming doors
Making unnecessary noise in shared areas

Normal conversation is welcome, but consideration for other guests is important.

Treat the Room and Amenities Carefully 🧳

Ryokan rooms may contain delicate materials, including tatami, paper screens, low tables and traditional decorations.

Avoid:

Placing wet towels on tatami
Leaning luggage against paper screens
Dragging suitcases across the floor
Touching decorative objects unnecessarily
Moving heavy furniture without permission

Tea and sweets placed in the room are normally provided for guests.

Disposable amenities such as toothbrushes may usually be taken home. Yukata, towels, tableware, cushions and room decorations should remain at the property unless staff clearly state otherwise.

Check-Out Etiquette

Guests should leave the room by the stated check-out time.

Staff need enough time to clean the room, prepare the futons and welcome the next guests.

Before leaving:

Check drawers, cupboards and the bathroom.
Return room keys as instructed.
Leave borrowed items inside the room.
Inform staff if anything has been damaged.
Request late check-out in advance rather than assuming it is available.

There is usually no need to fold the futon unless the property specifically requests it.

How to Communicate with Ryokan Staff 🙏

Ryokan staff often provide more personal service than guests may expect at a standard hotel.

They may carry luggage, explain the room, serve meals and prepare futons.

Guests do not need to use complicated expressions or understand every custom.

Simple politeness is enough:

Listen carefully to explanations.
Ask questions when something is unclear.
Be punctual for meals and check-out.
Thank staff for their assistance.

Tipping is generally not required. A sincere expression of thanks is usually the most appropriate way to show appreciation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can slippers be worn inside a tatami room?

No. Remove slippers before stepping onto tatami.

Should guests prepare their own futons?

Usually not. Staff often prepare them during dinner, although procedures vary between properties.

Can a yukata be worn to dinner?

At many ryokan, yes. However, guests should follow the property’s individual rules.

Which side of the yukata goes on top?

The left side should be placed over the right side.

Is tipping required?

No. Tipping is generally not expected.

Can amenities be taken home?

Disposable amenities can normally be taken. Reusable property items should remain in the room.

Should the futon be folded before check-out?

Usually not. Leave it as it is unless staff provide different instructions.

Ryokan Etiquette at a Glance

Situation	Correct Manners
Entrance	Remove outdoor shoes
Corridor	Wear the indoor slippers provided
Tatami room	Remove slippers
Toilet	Use toilet slippers only inside
Yukata	Place the left side over the right
Futon	Allow staff to prepare it unless instructed otherwise
Meals	Arrive at the scheduled time
Shared bath	Wash before soaking
Night-time	Keep voices and movement quiet
Amenities	Take only disposable items
Check-out	Leave by the stated time
Staff	Communicate politely and ask when uncertain

Final Thoughts ✨

Ryokan etiquette may seem unfamiliar at first, but the basic customs are easy to understand.

Remove shoes at the entrance, keep slippers off tatami, wear the yukata left over right, arrive on time for meals and wash before entering a shared bath.

Most importantly, treat the property, staff and other guests with consideration.

Guests are not expected to understand every tradition perfectly. Ryokan staff will usually provide guidance when necessary.

By learning a few simple rules before arrival, visitors can relax and enjoy the quiet rooms, thoughtful hospitality and traditional atmosphere with confidence.