Page 113 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

WHERE T O ST A Y  111

the okamisan may stay for a
while, explaining the dishes,
demonstrating how they should
be eaten, and chatting; or she
may leave discreetly, returning
only to clear the table.

Staying in a Minshuku
or Pension
A minshuku is a family-run
pension that is opened to
travelers as and when demand
requires. With rates ranging
from ¥5,000 to ¥9,000, this is
Small communal bath and separate low shower for cleansing an economical option, as well as
a good opportunity to see how
symbolize relaxation and leisure hot bath until you are clean. The people live. The atmosphere is
time. In resort towns and hot bath itself is intended only for more homely; guests are treated
springs, they are even worn relaxation. The same bathwater as part of the family at meal-
outside on the streets, together is used by other guests; thus it times and bathtime, and they
with the high wooden sandals is considered extremely bad should fold up and stow away
called geta. A loose jacket may manners to contaminate it their own bedding.
also be provided during the either with an unwashed body Western-style pensions are
colder months. It is best to or soap and shampoo. A wash also popular. Located mostly
follow the example of others cloth is often used for modesty in resort areas, they are rustic
as to exactly where and when purposes while walking around and relaxed in style and offer
to wear the robes. the bathing area, but this good, hearty meals. Generally
Fold yukata left-side over should be placed on the managed by married couples,
right, as right-side over left is shoulder of the bath when they fall somewhere between
the way a kimono is traditionally you actually enter the water. a minshuku and the more
folded when a corpse is being service-oriented pamperings
dressed for burial or cremation. of a small hotel.
Use the obi sash provided to Eating Arrangements
secure the gown. Meals are sometimes served
in a dining room, but more Temple Lodgings
often in the room by a maid Staying at a shukubo (on the
Bathing Arrangements
or the okamisan. The more grounds of a temple) is a great
Within the ryokan will be at least exclusive the establishment, way to experience Japanese
one communal bath; high-end the more likely it is that meals culture, but this is mostly
establishments often have will be served in private. confined to areas beyond
multiple baths, saunas, water-jet Meal times are usually set Tokyo; see Temple Lodging
massage pools, and even an quite early in the evening. in Japan for details. Shukubo
attractive Japanese-style garden Depending on the situation, are more than just places to
to admire while you bathe. stay, and many encourage their
In smaller ryokan with only guests to join zazen meditation
one bath, bathing times may sessions or participate in other
differ for men and women. In spiritual activities. There is also
larger establishments, bathing is a chance to try shojin ryori,
segregated, with one entrance Japan’s unique, vegetarian
for men and another for temple cuisine.
women. Mixed-sex bathing is
very rare these days. The size of DIRECTORY
the bath and bathroom
naturally dictates how many Japan Ryokan and Hotel
people can bathe at any one Association
time. Check with the okamisan if Tel (03) 3231-5310. ∑ ryokan.or.jp
you are unsure about the house Japanese Guest Houses
rules. In the bathroom, there will Tel (072) 756-6242.
be an area for undressing, a low
shower or tap area, and the ∑ japaneseguesthouses.com
large bath itself. The golden rule Temple Lodging in Japan
to observe is that you must People wearing yukata, the design of which ∑ templelodging.com
shower first and not enter the is often specific to each ryokan

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