Ryokan Tradition Accommodation

A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese Inn dating from the Edo Period (1603 - 1868) when they served travelers along Japan’s highways. They typically feature tatami matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner.

Ryokan are difficult to find in Tokyo and other large cities because many are expensive compared to hotels, and Japanese people increasingly use hotels for urban tourism, with a notable exception being Kyoto, a city people visit for its ryokan. Nonetheless, some major cities do have reasonably priced ryokan, with some as little as $40 a night. However, ryokan are more typically located in scenic areas—in the mountains or by the sea—and can charge upwards of $400 per night.

A stay at a ryokan is highly recommended to all foreign visitors of Japan, as it offers the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese atmosphere.

Typical rates for ryokan range between 6,000 and 20,000 Yen per night and person, but some no-frills establishments offer rooms for less. Guests stay in Japanese style rooms with tatami floor and a low table. Shoes are usually removed at the ryokan’s main entrance, where slippers will be kept ready. You are supposed to remove even your slippers before stepping onto tatami mats.

Except in case of inexpensive ryokan, dinner and breakfast are included in the overnight stay. At the better ryokan, meals are served in the guest room, while common dining rooms are to be used elsewhere. Both meals are typically Japanese style and often feature regional specialties.

During your stay, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a Japanese style bath. Most ryokan come with a gender separated, communal bath, but in many cases it is also possible to use the bath on a private basis (by reserving a time slot). In hot spring resorts, the ryokan’s bath water is directly supplied from the hot spring. Read more on how to take a bath.

Last but not least, ryokan guests sleep in traditional style, using a futon, which is spread out on the tatami floor. The ryokan staff will prepare the futon for you before bed time, except at inexpensive ryokan, where you have to do it by yourself. During the day, the futon is kept in a closet.

Karaoke in Japan

A trip to Japan is simply not complete without a visit to one of the many karaoke bars or boxes available. You have not sampled karaoke properly until you have tried it the way it was meant to be experienced.

Karaoke is one of the main social activities of Japanese adults, especially businessmen or “salarymen”. These men visit “lounge” or “snack” bars after work, drink for hours, and divulge their worries and concerns to the women at hand. In between, they sing their favourite tunes at which the women clap enthusiastically, regardless of talent.

But karaoke is much more than just businessmen loosening their ties. The bars are popular with people from all walks of life. It is a staple form of entertainment.

Many karaoke bars are open 24 hours. You hire a room with a group of friends for around $12 per person per hour. This sometimes features an all-you-can-drink or an all-you-can-eat deal.

Participants are guided to their own room, which is kitted out with all the karaoke paraphernalia necessary, such as microphones, TV, video/karaoke machine and sometimes tambourines and maracas for friends to accompany the singer.

Rooms vary in size and style. Cheaper places tend to be bare walled and basic but they can get very colourful indeed. The TV and karaoke equipment will be at one end, with seats along the sides and a table in the middle. Food and drinks can be ordered by phone.

With just you and your friends in a room, it is far more private than karaoke in other countries which usually involves a DJ and a bar full of strangers, and hence is a lot more fun.

Many places in Japan have a good selection of songs. While the songbooks bulge with Beatles tunes, they also have a surprising number of new British and American songs too. Although Japanese people usually sing Japanese songs, they do love to have a go at a Western number from time to time, and especially if there is a Westerner present.