Ryokan Japan Ryokan Association  
HOME Korea Japanese
Now You Stay in a Ryokan
After Settled Down in Guestroom
Japanese-style Hotel "Ryokan"
What is a Ryokan?  
How to choose a Ryokan
Okami, the Landlady
The Fee System & Prices  
Photo Gallery  
  Origins and History of the Japanese Ryokan (PDF)  
  The wonders of Japanese Architecture & the Japanese Garden (PDF)  
  An Invitation to the Profound Taste of Japanese Cuisine (PDF)  

Now You Stay in a Ryokan
Receiving Guests  
Prelude to Relaxation  
To Your Guestroom  
Guestrooms of the Ryokan  
After Settled Down in Guestroom
Japanese-style Garden  
Onsen, Hot Springs  
Open-air Hot Spring Bath  
Private Open-air Hot Spring Bath  
Yukata  
Dinner  
Massage & Esthetic Treatment  
Comfortable Slumber  
Breakfast  
Checking-out  
  How to use Chopsticks (PDF)  
  The four Seasons and the Seasonal Calendar of the Japanese Ryokan (PDF)  
  Glossary of Terms Related to the Japanese Ryokan (PDF)  
How to enjoy staying at a RYOKAN  
Ryokan Experience by Expatriates  

  After Settled Down in Guestroom
Tea and Sweets Served with Utmost Hospitality

Nakai-san, a room maid

Shortly after you have been shown into the guestroom and given time to settle down, the Nakai-san in charge will bring a serving of tea and sweets(Chaka or Wagashi). The practice of serving tea and sweets to guests as a gesture of hospitality is not something special to ryokans but is a daily custom which is deeply rooted in Japan. The custom of preparing tea when entertaining a guest has its origins in the art of sado (tea ceremony), and is an expression of welcome.

Once the tea and sweets have been served, the Nakai-san will enter into conversation with you, confirming the time for serving meals and providing local information. This series of actions will be carried out by the Nakai-san in a half-sitting posture (chugoshi), but she will sit straight (seiza) when making her initial greetings and also when conversing or taking leave.

Illustration : ENTERING THE ROOM(PDF: 0.9 MB)

Tea and sweets served with utmost hospitality   Manju, a steamed bean-jam bun   Japanese green tea

< Last | Next >
To Top

COPYRIGHT 2006 JAPAN RYOKAN ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHT RESERVED.  
TERMS OF USE