COOL THINGS IN JAPAN YOU MUST SEE
Wearing your shoes is not an option, nor is it OK to wear shoes only sometimes or in certain parts of the ryokan. Upon entering the ryokan remove your shoes and put on the provided slippers.
They’re supposed to be that way. Pillows will generally be harder than what you are used to in the west. Don’t ask for different or fluffier pillows. Just roll with it.
Don’t ask for the “western room.” The whole point of an onsen ryokan is the traditional Japanese spa experience.
These are comfortable and beautiful cotton robes. You are free to wear them at all times in the ryokan although is not mandatory.
A multi-course Japanese style haute cuisine dinner is called a kaiseki ryori. A good ryokan will aim to emulate this traditional kaiseki ryori which can involve as many as 20 dishes.
The first rule is don’t mistake the koi pond for the onsen or public bath. If you see a pretty pond with vegetation and large fish, don’t step inside, it is not the onsen.