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Shiobara Hot Springs Village |
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What's a Ryokan?
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Ryokan is called a Japanese-style hotel but is actually quite different from the usual hotel.
Ryokan dates back to the seventh century, when private homes were
set up as rest houses for people traveling from one section of the
country to another on business trips or religious pilgrimages.
Ryokan, then, has gradually evolved and improved to meet the demands of
these travellers.
There are several marked differences between Ryokan and hotels
that you will want to note. Unlike a hotel, for exanple, where there
is a room charge, in a Ryokan each person is charged individually.
Breakfast and dinner are included. The decor of a Ryokan also differs from a
hotel and you will be able to perceive more of a typical Japanese
setting by staying in one.
Each room ok Kyakushitsu(guest room) is divided by Fusuma or
Shoji(sliding paper doors). In the daytime and early evening the
room is used for your private dining and living room, and at night
for your bedroom. Furo(Japanese bath) is slightly different from the
bath in western countries. One washes and rinses the body outside
the tub first, then enters the warm tub to melt away the day's fatigue.
Rokan serves mainly Japanese-style food such as Tempura and
other dishes, but if you order Western-style food they will gladly
prepare it for you. Reservations can be made directly at a Ryokan or
through a travel agency.
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