Daily Life Lessons · Hot Springs
When staying at a hot spring ryokan, understand where to take off shoes and slippers, how to wear a yukata, meal times and how to spend time in your room, and be able to act on your own by following the guidance.
At a ryokan (旅館, Japanese-style inn), you may take off your shoes at the entrance or in the corridor and change into slippers. Where you take off your shoes differs by ryokan, so follow the guidance. At ryokan with tatami-matted corridors, you walk without shoes or slippers.
To wear the yukata (浴衣, cotton robe) provided in your room, both men and women place the left side over the right side and tie the sash (帯, obi). In cold seasons, a padded jacket to wear on top, such as a tanzen (丹前), may also be provided. Whether you can walk to the dining area or around the building in your yukata differs by ryokan.
Meal times and places (a dining area or your room) also differ by ryokan, so check the information given on arrival, and contact the ryokan if you are going to be late. At some ryokan the staff lay out the futon, and at others you do it yourself. Be considerate of other rooms and keep quiet at night. If there is anything you do not understand, you can feel at ease asking the ryokan staff.
旅館（りょかん）の マナーです。
・玄関（げんかん）や ろうかで くつを ぬぎます。どこで ぬぐかは 旅館の 案内（あんない）を 見ます。 ・ろうかが 畳（たたみ）の 旅館では、くつも スリッパも ぬいで 歩きます。 ・浴衣（ゆかた）は、左側（ひだりがわ）を 上に して 着ます。男の人も 女の人も 同じです。 ・浴衣で 館内（かんない）を 歩けるかは、旅館に 聞きます。 ・ごはんの 時間と 場所を 確認（かくにん）します。旅館に よって ちがいます。おくれるときは 連絡（れんらく）します。 ・夜は 静かに します。
Where do you take off your shoes at a ryokan?
At some ryokan you take them off at the entrance; at others you can wear shoes up to near your room.
At a ryokan with tatami-matted corridors?
The Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association explains that at ryokan with tatami-matted corridors, you walk without shoes or slippers.
What is the correct way to wrap a yukata?
The Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association also explains that both men and women place the left side on top and tie the sash.
What if you are going to be late for dinner?
Meal times and places differ by ryokan. If you are going to be late, contact the ryokan.
Can you walk to the dining area or around the building in your yukata?
The rules differ by ryokan, so check the information or ask the ryokan staff.
Q. Can I take the yukata home?
A. Whether you can take home the yukata in your room depends on the ryokan. If you want to take one home, ask the ryokan, including whether you can buy one.
Q. Do I put away the futon myself?
A. It differs by ryokan. At some ryokan the staff put it away, so if you are not sure, ask at the front desk.
Q. How do I use the large public bath?
A. The basics are the same as at hot springs and public baths: wash your body before getting into the bath (see the lesson "How to Use Hot Springs and Public Baths"). Check the ryokan's information for the hours when you can use it.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original