Ryokan Stay

One unique experience that everyone should try in Japan is to stay in a ryokan. A ryokan is like a traditional type of japanese inn. The guests would usually dress in yukata and you will get to interact with the owner (if you like). So far my experience is that the ryokan owner will usually respect your privacy and would not try to chat you up. Plus most of them speak mostly Japanese. Breakfast and dinner are usually provided as well. I remembered that it came to a pleasant surprise to us at Hakone when we saw the full spread of food during our first breakfast at a ryokan stay. There was sashimi, miso soup, grilled fish and rice. it is practically a full set meal. I also recalled that we were the only guests in most of the ryokan we stayed in. So we really get the use of onsen to ourselves. Cool.

See Mikey share his ryokan stay in Kobe in the following video.