Experiencing Beautifully Japanese Onsen & Ryokan

Dear readers, have you ever felt to relax your weary bodies as well as calming your minds also to have an enjoyable vacations? Have you ever wondered body soaking in hot springs is the solution to the puzzle you? Have you ever dreamed to have an enjoyable visit at Japan which is provided by the famous hot springs?

Well, hot spring is a spring of naturally hot water, typically heated by subterranean volcanic activity. The popular hot springs are located all over at rising sun country which is Japan. Here, let me introduce you to Onsen (hot springs) of Japan.

Japan is officially divided into the following eight regions:

Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto

Chubu Kinki/Kansai Chugoku

Shikoku Kyushu (including Okinawa)

             So, when we talk about hot springs, here I enclosed the details.

Onsen (hot spring)
 

Uniqueness of hot springs	Many types of hot springs, distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water. Different minerals provide different health benefits, and all hot springs are supposed to have a relaxing effect on your body and mind.
Varieties of hot springs	Indoors and outdoors Gender separated and mixed Developed and undeveloped
Onsen (hot spring)	Every region of the country has its share of hot springs and resort towns.

  

Hot springs around Tokyo (Kanto) the capital of Japan



Hakone Onsen 



Minakami Onsen  

Ikaho Onsen

       

           Natural hot springs (Onsen) are numerous and highly popular across Japan. Many hot spring baths belong to a Ryokan, while others are public bath houses. An overnight stay at a hot spring Ryokan is a highly recommended experience traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality to any visitor of Japan.

 

Ryokan Japanese style inns

Ryokan	Ø  Japanese style inns Ø  Can be found all over Japan
Specialty of Ryokan	Ø  More than just a place to sleep, ryokan are an opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality. Ø  Typically includes dinner and breakfast and is recommended to all travelers to Japan as it gives you the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese lifestyle.
Types of Ryokan	Ø  Varying greatly in terms of size, cost and style. Ø  Some ryokan are small, family run establishments with just a few rooms. Ø  Others are large, hotel-like facilities with hundreds of rooms. Ø  Ryokan also range from no-frills, budget varieties to costly establishments catering to the very wealthy.
Reservations	Ø  Happens at the reception desk or in the lobby, the staff will bow and offer Japanese tea (Ocha) when you arrived. Ø  They also help you put off your shoes, gives kimono+geta(slipper) and showing the room.
Average cost	Ø  Between 15,000 and 25,000 yen per person, per night.
Check-in	Ø  Usually from 15:00 (3:00pm) with dinner following around 18:00 or 19:00 (7.00pm).
Check-out	Ø  Usually before 10:00 am with acceptable payment by major credit cards.
Uniqueness of Ryokan (Available facilities)	Ø  It is well worth indulging on one special night during your travels. Ø  Incorporating elements such as tatami floors, futon beds, Japanese style baths and local cuisine, making them popular with both Japanese and foreign tourists alike. Ø  Include an elaborate dinner in the evening, followed by breakfast the next morning. Ø  Emphasis on traditional style and atmosphere, ryokan may appear rigid and intimidating (Ryokan Rules) for the first timer unfamiliar with the procedures and etiquette.
Meal provided	Ø  Simply not equipped to quickly cater to any last minute meal or dining changes. Ø  Typically Kaiseki Ryori (Japanese haute cuisine) that feature local and seasonal specialties. Ø  6 to 15 course dinner beginning with appetizers.
Communicating with the Ryokan Staff	Ø  They do not speak English but they used hand gestures and other body language to try their best to communicate.

 

Ryokan

Ø  Japanese style inns

Ø  Can be found all over Japan

Specialty of Ryokan

Ø  More than just a place to sleep, ryokan are an opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality.

Ø  Typically includes dinner and breakfast and is recommended to all travelers to Japan as it gives you the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese lifestyle.

Types of Ryokan

Ø  Varying greatly in terms of size, cost and style.

Ø  Some ryokan are small, family run establishments with just a few rooms.

Ø  Others are large, hotel-like facilities with hundreds of rooms.

Ø  Ryokan also range from no-frills, budget varieties to costly establishments catering to the very wealthy.

Reservations

Ø  Happens at the reception desk or in the lobby, the staff will bow and offer Japanese tea (Ocha) when you arrived.

Ø  They also help you put off your shoes, gives kimono+geta(slipper) and showing the room.

Average cost

Ø  Between 15,000 and 25,000 yen per person, per night.

Check-in

Ø  Usually from 15:00 (3:00pm) with dinner following around 18:00 or 19:00 (7.00pm).

Check-out

Ø  Usually before 10:00 am with acceptable payment by major credit cards.

Uniqueness of Ryokan (Available facilities)

 

Ø  It is well worth indulging on one special night during your travels.

Ø  Incorporating elements such as tatami floors, futon beds, Japanese style baths and local cuisine, making them popular with both Japanese and foreign tourists alike.

Ø  Include an elaborate dinner in the evening, followed by breakfast the next morning.

Ø  Emphasis on traditional style and atmosphere, ryokan may appear rigid and intimidating (Ryokan Rules) for the first timer unfamiliar with the procedures and etiquette.

Meal provided

Ø  Simply not equipped to quickly cater to any last minute meal or dining changes.

Ø  Typically Kaiseki Ryori (Japanese haute cuisine) that feature local and seasonal specialties.

Ø  6 to 15 course dinner beginning with appetizers.

Communicating with the Ryokan Staff

Ø  They do not speak English but they used hand gestures and other body language to try their best to communicate.

Ryokan entryway (genkan) and reception desk

 

Authentic Japanese style Ryokan with fully tatami floors

 

 

         

Authentic Japanese style Ryokan with fully tatami floors

 

 

 

Exquisite set of Kaiseki Ryori (Japanese haute cuisine)

 

 

Exquisite set of Kaiseki Ryori (Japanese haute cuisine)

 

 

 

Comfortable Futon beds with the filled-rice pillows at Ryokan room

 

 

Visitor can experience to wear beautifully kimono (yukata), sash, socks and slippers (geta) entirely at Ryokan

 

In reality, the hot springs and Japanese style inns are complementarity. Onsen and Ryokan are special things at Japan that can be exploited and preserved. A relaxing holiday, we can experience it in Japan. Why not we as visitor take this opportunity to visit and try Japanese culture. Learn by sharing and enjoying your vacation!

Prepared By : Siti Nur Hidayah Bt. Abdul Rahman

                        A13A1169

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

Ryokan

Ø  Japanese style inns

Ø  Can be found all over Japan

Specialty of Ryokan

Ø  More than just a place to sleep, ryokan are an opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality.

Ø  Typically includes dinner and breakfast and is recommended to all travelers to Japan as it gives you the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese lifestyle.

Types of Ryokan

Ø  Varying greatly in terms of size, cost and style.

Ø  Some ryokan are small, family run establishments with just a few rooms.

Ø  Others are large, hotel-like facilities with hundreds of rooms.

Ø  Ryokan also range from no-frills, budget varieties to costly establishments catering to the very wealthy.

Reservations

Ø  Happens at the reception desk or in the lobby, the staff will bow and offer Japanese tea (Ocha) when you arrived.

Ø  They also help you put off your shoes, gives kimono+geta(slipper) and showing the room.

Average cost

Ø  Between 15,000 and 25,000 yen per person, per night.

Check-in

Ø  Usually from 15:00 (3:00pm) with dinner following around 18:00 or 19:00 (7.00pm).

Check-out

Ø  Usually before 10:00 am with acceptable payment by major credit cards.

Uniqueness of Ryokan (Available facilities)

 

Ø  It is well worth indulging on one special night during your travels.

Ø  Incorporating elements such as tatami floors, futon beds, Japanese style baths and local cuisine, making them popular with both Japanese and foreign tourists alike.

Ø  Include an elaborate dinner in the evening, followed by breakfast the next morning.

Ø  Emphasis on traditional style and atmosphere, ryokan may appear rigid and intimidating (Ryokan Rules) for the first timer unfamiliar with the procedures and etiquette.

Meal provided

Ø  Simply not equipped to quickly cater to any last minute meal or dining changes.

Ø  Typically Kaiseki Ryori (Japanese haute cuisine) that feature local and seasonal specialties.

Ø  6 to 15 course dinner beginning with appetizers.

Communicating with the Ryokan Staff

Ø  They do not speak English but they used hand gestures and other body language to try their best to communicate.