Sleeping in a Ryokan, A traditional Japanese inn in Japan

The traditional Japanese inn you absolutely must stay at on your trip to the Land of the Rising Sun or on your world adventure travels

You cannot say you have really visited Japan without spending time in a ryokan. A ryokan is much more than a place to sleep. Sleeping in a Ryokan, A traditional Japanese inn in Japan, transforms the trip into something deeper, an unforgettable memory that remains impressed on the heart. It is an experience that goes beyond tourism, a moment of authentic connection with the soul of Japan, which is why it should never be missing from a trip to the archipelago

Nella mia rubrica "A portata di Manu" ti propongo idee e itinerari o suggerimenti su cose da fare se vieni da queste parti. Scrivici a apugliesearoundthewolrd@gmail.com 

Sono partita come coordinatore di Viaggi Avventure del mondo, ed ho coordinato Giappone Breve Discovery.  8 partecipanti inclusa la sottoscritta, che non si conoscevano tra loro, da nord a sud dello stivale. Un gruppo di nuovi amici animati dalla passione per la destinazione e con le stesse esigenze di partenze. Insomma uniti dai valori di Viaggi Avventure nel mondo.

What is Ryokan?

The ryokan (旅館) is a traditional Japanese inn.

Imagine a traditional Japanese inn, left unchanged from the days of the Edo era, around 1600 to 1800. There are no normal beds here, but tatami, or straw floors, on which futons and soft mattresses are placed. They seem a little uncomfortable at first, but really it's all part of the charm! They can be found all over Japan, but the more historic cities, such as Kyoto, offer the most authentic experiences..

RYOKAN MURAYAMA

After choosing cities to visit, we decided to experience ryokan in Takayama, Takayama is an enchanting town surrounded by the Japanese Alps. The atmosphere here is truly magical, with sloping-roofed wooden houses and sake distilleries that take you back in time.

Our Ryokan, il Murayama, was just outside the center, and the owner picked us up directly from the station by minibus. Of course, we had also booked the traditional dinner, served Japanese style. I don't deny that the flavors were peculiar. Like, we had jellyfish! Here, maybe not my favorite dinner, but nevertheless, the experience itself was so unique that I would do it again a thousand times.

The first thing? Take off your shoes.

Yes, wearing the traditional wooden slippers is a must here, which you then leave at the entrance to the room, where you will find other slippers ready and waiting for you. If you think you can get away with English, no, not here! No one spoke English, so thank goodness for Google Translate! She greeted us with a smile and had our Yukata (浴衣) and all the necessary bathing kit in the room. The Yukata (浴衣) which was a wonderful green - definitely the most beautiful of the vacation!

Wearing it to walk around inside the ryokan, even just to go to the bathroom, was really a special touch. After checking in, the owner escorted us to our room, giving us a quick tour of the ryokan and showing us the Onsen, or indoor baths/spas.

ONSEN

Onsen (温泉)means “hot water or hot spring.”

They are popular in Japan and there is a very strong culture of purification.

Ryokan do not have in-room bathrooms, but there are dedicated areas.

Onsen have a temperature of 40°C but there are also springs with a water temperature close to boiling! In fact, in order to enjoy the “Japanese bath” we added cold water, taken from the adjacent showers. The baths are divided by gender, so you will have to greet your opposite-sex partner or friend already upon entering the facility.

In the Onsen, people are naked, bathing suits are not allowed AND PHOTOS ARE ALSO FORBIDDEN. However, you can bring small towels that are used to cover your private parts. When you are inside the Onsen you should keep these towels out of the water. Once you enter the Onsen area, the tubs or hot-water pool are immediately visible, but there is still one key step to be observed. Near the tubs you will find showers stocked with liquid soap, shampoo, and a stool to sit on. You must compulsorily SIT on the footstool and you must thoroughly wash your body from head to feet, a veritable “bath before bathing.” This gesture is not only a matter of hygiene, but also has deep cultural significance: to contaminate the “sacred waters” would be a serious sign of disrespect for the ancient local tradition. Bathing in the onsen, in fact, is not for washing, but only for relaxation.

PLEASE NOTE.

It is important to mention one of the most delicate issues related to onsen: the one of tattoos. Until a few years ago, most public hot springs prohibited entry to tattooed people because of the cultural connection between tattoos and affiliation with organized crime, known as “yakuza.” For this reason, the only option for those with tattoos was to frequent private onsen, often located in upscale ryokan or exclusive establishments that allowed access. In recent years, however, many public establishments have begun to allow entry to tattooed people as well, recognizing the growing tourist interest in these natural springs.

SHIRAKAWAGO - UNESCO HERITAGE SITE NEARLY TWINNED WITH ALBEROBELLO

Before arriving at the Ryokan in Takayama city, on the same bus/train line is the historic village of Shirakawa-go where we spent the morning

There are various ways to get to SHIRAKAWAGO from Tokyo . We decided to buy a ticket for the fast regional towards NAGOIA (2h and a half) and from Nagoya station we took a BUS diretto per Shirakawago (1h and a half) which is then the same one that also took us to Takayama (1h bus ride from SHIRAKAWAGO)

Shirakawa-go is one of those villages where you can re-experience the atmosphere of Japan's past. Almost twinned with the Puglia town of Alberobello, known for its cone-shaped stone-roofed houses, Trulli house. Nestled in the valley of the Shogawa River, Shirakawa-go consists of numerous traditional thatched-roof houses that have earned this place UNESCO World Heritage designation. Some residences date back more than 250 years, and their distinctive style is called “gassho-zukuri,” which literally means “hands joined in prayer,” because of the sloping shape of the thatched roofs. Some of the houses are accessible from the inside, making it possible to discover fragments of daily life from a time long gone by visiting the rooms where families lived and worked.

I recommend reaching the Belvedere- An intense 20-minute climb from which you overlook the entire village.