Ryokan Etiquette
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| Ryokan Hakuun |
Perhaps it would be better to say up front that we didn’t quite master the fine art of “Ryokan Etiquette”.
However our hosts at Ryokan Hakuun were most accommodating and our days spent
in the lovely village of Takayama passed way too quickly.
So, let’s begin! We
arrived full of expectation. Shoes were
removed at the front door. Then we were
shown to our large room screened off with shoji (rice paper) screens and tatami
mat flooring. Only a single low table was
centred in the room. On the table we found
our arrival tea waiting for us.
Our traditional inn had a hot spring (onsen) although
only a few guests followed the Japanese custom of the hot communal soak. Some of the rooms had a traditional timber
tub and we learned that the custom is to shower and soap yourself first before
stepping into the tub (no soap – soaking only).
We also discovered the (toilet or bathroom) slippers routine and were
caught out more than once in embarrassing circumstances.
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| Doors to our rooms |
After bathing, we went to our dining room dressed in a
provided blue & white cotton yukata (wrapped left over right thank you) to
meet up with our fellow travellers for a sumptuous feast of assorted Japanese
foods. We finished it off with a taste of
sake…hmmm…not so sure about that!
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| Our first night's dinner |
We retired to our beds - futons had been laid out on tatami
mats. All that cool country air, picture
perfect streets in the old town, doses of cherry blossom and now a nice warm
bed! It was all very relaxing.
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| Seafood Dinner |
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| A wonderful view through every door |
