It is a type of traditional Japanese inn featured with tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner. It's a great way to fully immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture by staying at a Ryokan. You can find Ryokan throughout the country especially in hot spring resorts. During the Keiun period, since the eighth century, A.D. Ryokan has existed. It is the oldest hotel in the world. It is created by Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in 705 A.D. Another old ryokan called Hōshi Ryokan was founded in 718 A.D and was also known as the world's second-oldest hotel. Along with Japan's highway, such inns also served travelers. In Tokyo and other large cities, Ryokan is difficult to find because many are usually much more expensive compared to modern hotels and hostels. Hotels have become a standard in Japanese urban tourism, as elsewhere in the world. With competitive rates, some major cities do offer ryokan. In scenic rural areas, the traditional ryokan is more commonly found. Many ryokans have been redeveloped to their original style particularly by resort chain Hoshino Resorts in recent years, whose first ryokan opened in Karuizawa in 1914.

Ryokan is an opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality, incorporating elements such as tatami floors, futon beds, Japanese style baths, and local cuisine, making them popular with both Japanese and foreign tourists alike, more than just a place to sleep. Varying greatly in terms of size, cost, and style, there are many different kinds of the ryokan. You will find some Roykon are small family-run establishments with just a few rooms, on the side, some are large, hotel-like facilities with hundreds of rooms. From no-frills, budget varieties to costly establishments catering to the very wealthy, Ryokan ranges. The average cost of a ryokan stay is between 15,000 and 25,000 yen per person, per night, while extremes exist. To stay at every day, this can be too expensive, during your travels it is well worth indulging on one special night. Followed by breakfast the next morning, ryokan stays usually include an elaborate dinner in the evening. Featured with local and seasonal specialties meals are typically kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine). Ryokan may appear rigid and intimidating for the first-timer unfamiliar with the procedures and etiquette, because of their emphasis on traditional style and atmosphere. Everyone should take the opportunity to try a special and relaxing experience. You may be surprised at what you find or don't find when entering your traditional Japanese-style room. The rooms at traditional ryokans are, shall we say, "Zen", in contrast with hotel rooms.

Typically they lack much furniture, apart from a low central table with zaisu (legless chairs). You may have additional furniture, and certainly, some high-end and modern ryokans feature a variety of seating options, at some Ryokans. Traditionally, the flooring is tatami matting, which is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable to walk, sit, or lay on. As you would expect at any high-end accommodations, you'll have your own private en suite bathroom, if you're staying at a luxury ryokan. But your room may not have an en suite bathroom, at many rustic ryokans (even at some moderately luxurious ones). In Japanese culture, bathing is an important part, and maybe nothing is more enjoyable and potentially confusing to non-Japanese travelers than the hot springs experience at a ryokan. In many countries, Hot springs are common but the onsen culture makes Japan unique, which blends an appreciation of nature with a sophisticated philosophy. All Roykan almost feature common bathing areas or ofuro, usually segregated by gender, using the water from a hot spring (onsen) if any are nearby. Ryokan, typically provide guests with a yukata to wear, also they might have games such as table tennis, and possibly geta that visitors can borrow for strolls outside. On the tatami floor, Bedding is a futon spread out. Guests usually find a table and some supplies for making tea, when they first enter their room. When guests take them in their room the table is also used for meals. Staff (usually called Nakai) will move the table aside and set out the futon, while guests are out. The dinner and breakfast are offered by most of the Ryokan which is often included in the price of the room. Most visitors prefer to take their meals at the ryokan, which usually promote themselves on the quality of their food. Typically, meals consist of traditional Japanese cuisine known as kaiseki, which features seasonal and regional specialties. Instead, some ryokan serves local specialties such as basashi or food cooked in an irori hearth. Ryokan stress that guests should be punctual for their meals, for each dish to be enjoyed at the proper temperature. Because of this, most ryokan ask guests to confirm the time they want to take their meals. Most Ryokan serve meals in the guests' rooms though they have a communal dining area. They likely to serve non-Japanese guests may also have a selection of Western food.

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