Visiting a Japanese Royokan

A Royokan is another name for a traditional Japanese Inn. These inns are a place to experience a relaxing getawa, Japanese style.

A Brief History of Japanese Ryokans
Ryokans have been a part of Japanese culture for centuries. Some of the earliest ryokans were (and some still are) located on the Tokai Highway which connected the capital city of Tokyo and the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. It was a very busy highway as samurai, traders, and others made their way between the two most popular destinations in the country. Ryokans were built to welcome these weary travelers who needed to rest before continuing on their long journey. Some ryokans were very simple and offered extra rooms in their homes for travelers. Others were more elaborate and the owners worked hard to make their guests feel as welcome as possible.
Inside a Ryokan Guest RoomA typical ryokan guest room contains:
the "agari-kamachi" (after opening the door guests step into this small area and take off their shoes)
"shoji" (sliding paper doors) which separates the agari-kamachi from the room
"tatami" mat flooring (reed floor matting)
low wooden tables
"zabuton" (sitting cushions)
futon (sleeping quilts)
a "tokonoma" (an ornamental alcove built into the wall used for placing flower vases and hanging scrolls)
an "oshiire" (a closet for futon sleeping quilts)
an "engawa" (a glass enclosed sitting area separated from the room by a shoji)
Our stay
We were pampered from the moment we arrived. Women dressed in beautiful Japanese robes met us as we got off the bus. They escorted us to our rooms. Each room was a large space with tatami mats on the floor. A low table in the center was the only furniture. We were fitted for Japanese robes which we were asked to wear during our stay. They were soft and comfortable. Every robe was a blue print, a long red sash completed the set. If you were cold there was a short silk jacket to wear. The men wore blue and the women wore red. You do not wear shoes, only slippers. Tea was poured and my two roomates and I sat on the floor and enjoyed a sweet treat and green tea.
One of the features of the Inn are the hot springs. There are three places to bathe. Two indoor facilities, two outdoor facilities and the river that runs through the property. Men and women go to separe places. You must thouroughly bathe first. Here is the advise from one of the Japanese guides. To enter the bath you are naked. Use your towel to cover your private parts. If the towel is to small to cover your private parts use it to cover your face.
There is nothing like a hot soak to make all the aches and pains dissappear. It is suggested that you go in the baths at least three seperate times to get the full effect. It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it. This is something that I would like to package and bring home.
Dressed in our robes we were invited to dine together. Two rows of low tables faced each other. We sat on the floor in seats with a back. It was quite comfortable. Each person had their own table with food set on it. Many courses of traditional food were served. I had a special vegetarian version. Everyhing tasted very good (even if we weren't quite sure what it was). The sake flowed freely and the Japanese women doted on us. There were lots of laughs and everyone enjoyed the party. There was one more soak in the hot baths before retiring to our rooms.
Our futons were set out on the floor. We settled in under the thick covers. It was very comfortable and no one had trouble drifting off into fit slumber. This was a great way to end our time before heading back to Tokyo.

Saying good-by to Tajimi City

To close our stay in Tajimi City we had a final meeting at City Hall. We met with P.T.A. members to have a heart-to-heart about the schools from the parent's perspective. This experience was a little more enlightening than talking to school administrators who naturally want to do their best to make their schools look good. Parents are more willing to tell it like it is. As I have come to find, we share common problems and concerns. Like parents everywhere they want their children to have the best opportunities in life. Major concerns in the schools are large class sizes, a population of children who are left unserved by the schools, and parents who are uninterested in getting involved. This could have been a P.T.A. meeting anywhere in the United States. We were very appreciative of their candor and we reassured them that they were not alone in their struggles.
We spent the afternoon touring a local industry. Since Tajimi is world famous for its pottery we were invited to the Ichimkura Sakazuki Art Museum and Kobei Pottery site. Here, "Living National Treasures of Japan", (people who carry on the tradition of pottery techniques going back hundreds of years), hone their craft. We toured the museum filled with exquisite pieces of art. Even if you don't know much about pottery you cannot but help to appreciate the beauty created by the hands of these artists.
We had to say good-bye to our most gracious host city of Tajimi. They have welcomed us into their schools and into their homes. We are sad to leave all of our new friends who have taught us about the generousity of the people of Japan. We have formed a bond that cannot be outdistanced by the miles that separate us. Ultimately we know that the human spirit is stronger than any language barrier. Human beings everywhere want the same basic things: to live a decent life, to contribute to the good of society and to be able to give their children a safe and happy environment in which to grow up in. Today we leave feeling like the world really isn't such a big place afterall.
We boarded our bus. As has been the tradition everywhere we go, our hosts lined up and waved us good-bye, always waving with two hands. We have been made to feel like celebraties.