Hoshi Ryokan (Ryokan), Tsuwano (Japan) deals. Ryokan

  • 12.03.2021

A ryokan is not just a type of hotel, it is the history and traditions of Japan, reflected in the culture of the institution. Classical architecture, a picturesque location, and a near-total lack of modern technology make a ryokan experience incredibly pacifying. Perhaps only here the traveler can truly get away from the hectic and stressful life of the metropolis, spend time in peace and quiet and listen to his desires.

The history of ryokans dates back to 713, when Zen flourished. During that era, pilgrimages to holy places were very popular. During the trip, the aristocrats did not want to spend the night on the street, and ordinary people often died by the road from cold and hunger. The monks were very concerned about this state of affairs, so they decided to build special places for rest and sleeping, which were the predecessors of the modern ryokan.

Most ryokans, due to the frequent manifestations of volcanic activity in Japan, are located in hot springs - onsen, which have long been famous for their healing and relaxing properties.

Usually, the cost of living in a ryokan includes breakfast, less often lunch and dinner. The food is a traditional multi-course menu - kaiseki.

  • The most famous ryokans are located in: Tavaria, Sumiya and Hiiragiya.
  • One of the oldest ryokans in Japan is the Hoshi ryokan. It was built in 717 and continues to successfully receive guests to this day.
  • During the stay in the ryokan, the guest is given slippers and a yukata - a traditional light kimono.
  • In ryokans, it is customary to sleep on the floor on special mattresses - futons. But for the convenience of foreign guests, some modern ryokans are equipped with beds.

Special attention:

  • Most ryokans close at night and only open in the morning. It is impossible to leave the ryokan or get inside at night. We recommend that you check the ryokan's schedule in advance, so as not to spend the night outside.
  • If you decide to relax in a hot spring ryokan, remember that tattoos are not allowed to enter onsen and public baths. Exceptions are extremely rare.
  • In a traditional ryokan, you pay not for a room, but for a seat on a futon.

Hoshi Ryokan's rooms are decorated in a simple Japanese style and feature a flat-screen TV. Tsuwano Train Station is just a minute's walk away. Guests can try on traditional Japanese yukata attire and attend bamboo craft courses at the hotel (request must be made at the time of booking).

Air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. A set of toothbrushes is also provided for all guests. Bathrooms and toilets are shared.

Luggage storage is available at the front desk. A Japanese set menu is served for breakfast and dinner in the dining room.

Ryokan Hoshi is a 10-minute drive from Taikodani Inari Shrine and a 5-minute walk from St. Mary's Chapel. You can also walk to Tonomachi Street in 10 minutes.

This accommodation option is a ryokan, a type of traditional Japanese inn.

  • What is a ryokan? A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. Ryokans generally have public baths, rooms with woven straw floors and futons, multi-course dinners and common areas where guests can relax. Like hotels, they come in different classes (from budget to luxury). Ryokans, centuries ago, were free coaching inns for long-distance travelers, and have now become a popular destination for therapeutic mineral springs.
  • What are the main differences between a ryokan and a hotel? Unlike a hotel, where the room is usually used by guests only to spend the night, a ryokan is more than just a place to sleep. In Japan, many travelers travel long distances solely for the purpose of taking a hot spring bath and a traditional multi-course lunch, so a ryokan holiday is something very special. Ryokan rooms are generally Japanese-style with straw mats and futon beds instead of Western-style beds and carpeted floors. In addition, guests take off their shoes at the entrance to the ryokan itself or to the room. In modern ryokans, meals can be served buffet style in the dining area, while in more traditional ryokans, meals are served in the room. Some ryokans have a private bathroom, while others only have a shared bathroom.
  • What are Kaiseki? Kaiseki is the ryokan's culinary specialty, embodied in beautifully presented dishes that will delight gourmets. Each of the 10 to 15 dishes that make up a traditional Japanese meal is prepared to highlight the unique texture, color and flavor of the seasonal ingredients and local produce used. A traditional kaiseki lunch is usually served in specialty restaurants and ryokans and consists of small snacks, fresh sashimi (raw fish), soup, grilled fish or meat, hot pot dish, rice with miso soup, and a small dessert.
  • What is Yukata? Yukata is a summer kimono, usually made from lightweight cotton. Many ryokans offer yukata to guests during their stay. In some areas, guests can often be seen strolling down the street in their yukatas. This loose fitting garment is perfect for relaxing and sleeping.
  • How to wear a yukata? First, slip your arms through the sleeves as if you were putting on a shirt. Take the right side of the yukata and wrap it around your body. Then take the left side and wrap it around the right side, making sure the garment aligns at the ankle. Secure the closed yukata on the right side, wrap the belt around your waist several times, and then tie a bow. Usually women tie a bow at the waist and men tie a bow at the hips.
  • What is a Japanese hot spring (onsen)? Onsen (literally "hot spring") is a term often used to refer to both mineral thermal springs and the bathing area where they are located. Onsen baths can be public or private, separate bathing for men and women, or mixed, indoor or outdoor. Relaxing in the tranquil geothermal waters of the onsen is a millennial custom deeply rooted in Japanese culture.
  • Bathing rules and etiquette In public baths - onsen and others - guests must take off their clothes in their changing rooms before entering the bathing area. As a courtesy, upon entering the bathing area, guests should wash themselves thoroughly before entering the hot water. You can relax alone or chat quietly with others, but do not forget about the comfort of other guests. A towel is usually used to cover nudity in public areas. However, please note that towels must not be immersed in water.
  • Why are tattoos prohibited? Despite the fact that tattoos are becoming more popular among young people in Japan, many Japanese people still associate them with criminals and organized crime. Currently, not all establishments prohibit entry to customers with tattoos, but you may still be denied admission to public baths and swimming pools. Small tattoos can be covered with waterproof tape, but keep in mind that each placement will determine what is acceptable.

The location of this property is one of the best in Tsuwano! Guests are more satisfied with the location than other options in the area.

Couples particularly like the location - they rated it for a two-person trip on 9,3 .

Here is the best value for money in the city of Tsuwano! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.

Your booking includes:
Free Wi-Fi Flat screen TV


Inside, on the ground floor, there is a hall where tourists can relax and talk, as well as watch TV, if available:

In many ryokans, the door is locked at 11 p.m.

You cannot enter the front of the hotel until its owner appears.

Rooms also have a traditional look with tatami flooring and balcony doors made of shoji (tissue paper). The door leading to the room can also be made of shoji, but recently interior doors made of more durable materials have been used for security purposes.

Each room has a small table with tea accessories, where guests can dine, as many people prefer to eat in their rooms.

There are no bathrooms in the rooms, except for hotels built in recent years for foreigners. There is a communal bath. Two meals a day consist of breakfast and dinner, often served in your room.

From furniture - a small mirror on a stand, clothes hangers, a low table and, as a rule, a TV.

As soon as tourists arrive at the hotel, they are immediately shown their room, and the maid brings some local food and green tea. The Japanese, as well as in other countries, have a custom to tip the servants, but with a slight difference: here they are given only once, and must be wrapped in an envelope.

The ryokan's staff are predominantly female, dressed in kimonos. The attitude of ryokan employees towards visitors is somewhat different than in modern hotels, since all services are provided only on request of the client, and in general the level of service is considered to be very high.

In a ryokan, you can wear a special kimono called a yukata, which is found in each guest's room. You can wear a kimono both in the hotel and outside:

So, for example, we went to the store. The people around did not react in any way:

As for the food in the ryokan, the cuisine here is also traditional, it is called "kaiseki". Meals are usually two meals a day and are included in the room rate. The food served in the ryokan is small, but the number is nonetheless quite large. Most of the dishes are made from a variety of seafood - fish, squid, shrimp, etc.

After dinner, returning to your room, you can find the following picture: mattresses and bed linen are already on the tatami. It's a little hard to sleep, but you get used to it over time:

Many ryokans that are not located in tourist centers are inexpensive for tourists. For a night spent in such a hotel, you can pay about $ 40. But most ryokans, especially in Kyoto, are located in beautiful scenic spots, and for one night in these hotels you will have to pay much more, about $ 400. This ryokan costs $ 200 per day.

And so, you get up in the morning, open the window ... And there is continuous serenity and silence:

Expensive ryokans are often surrounded by famous Japanese gardens, many on the seaside and some in mountainous areas. The beautiful nature around the hotel plays an important role in the choice of the ryokan, and greatly influences the price.