My First Time at a 'Ryokan'
Snugly tucked away in the backstreets of Hakone, this place was a hidden gem. I just stood there taking it all in. The main plaza was a tasteful melange of greenery, wood and stone with a very traditional Japan feel. I wonder if the staff thought I was crazy, or slow, for standing in the center of their plaza with my mouth agape for so long!
By The Japan Guy
http://www.thejapanguy.com/my-first-time-at-a-ryokan-hakone-japan-2011/
What is a 'Ryokan'?
To put it simply, a ryokan is a traditional-style Japanese inn.
If you checked out the posts I did on the first Japanese hotels I ever stayed in, this was completely different! I was blown away at just how different a more upscale ryokan is from your run-of-the-mill hotel.
http://www.thejapanguy.com/my-first-time-at-a-ryokan-hakone-japan-2011/
At the ryokan, SWEET JESUS CRUNCH*, they went out of their way to take care of their patrons. When I arrived, there was an all-female staff wearing traditional kimono (or were they yukata? I always get the two confused) waiting outside to greet me.
*An old expression, from my early teaching days here in Japan, used to show surprise.
http://www.thejapanguy.com/my-first-time-at-a-ryokan-hakone-japan-2011/
The Room
A slender woman in a light-colored kimono carried every single one of my bags, which I knew were just a bit too heavy. I felt bad letting the lady carry them, and I tried to do it myself, but she insisted.
She showed me to my room and a cool yukata (summer kimono) that I could change into. This room was exactly what you might imagine an old-style Japanese room would look like, save a few modern items (alarm clock, television, hair-dryer, etc.).
http://www.thejapanguy.com/my-first-time-at-a-ryokan-hakone-japan-2011/
I really liked how the sliding doors in my room gave an illusion of quaint simplicity. Opening these doors revealed much more spacious, secret rooms: the bathroom/tub, the bedroom and living room area. The wood and the tatami instantly made me feel comfortable and relaxed.
While I was changing, the same staff member who carried my things brought a tray with a light Japanese snack. There was chawanmushi (savory egg custard) and matcha served with a powdered, chewy, lightly sweet confection (I’m not exactly sure what the name was, but I took a photo).
http://www.thejapanguy.com/my-first-time-at-a-ryokan-hakone-japan-2011/
The Bath
The staff let me know that the ryokan’s bath facilities were open, and that the other ryokan guests hadn’t yet arrived, so I had free rein of the onsen-style bath.
This was actually my first time in an onsen-style bath.
Find out how the bathing adventure ends, as well as The Japan Guy's views on ryokan food and hospitality—and a treasure trove of pictures of the area—by visiting the link below!
Read full story: www.thejapanguy.com
Donald Ash is an ATLien expat who has been living in a Japanese time warp for the last seven-plus years. While in aforesaid time warp, he discovered that he absolutely loves writing, blogging, and sharing. Donald is the creator, writer, designer, editor, programmer and occasional bad artist of thejapanguy.com blog (yeah I know... way too many hats huh?). Wanna know more about this guy? You can find him at thejapanguy.com!
www.thejapanguy.com