Japan, Ito - Ryokan Dining

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese guesthouse or inn. Ryokans have been in existence in Japan for hundreds of years and its history can be traced back as far as the 8th century.

Traditionally family-owned and run, ryokans in Japan offer a unique experience to the traveler unlike a standard hotel. Most ryokans found in Japan include at least a hot bath or onsen. There are etiquettes to follow when using these baths which are communal and meant to be shared by all guests at the ryokan. Most of the etiquettes associated with the use of an onsen are linked to politeness and hygiene. I will be sharing my personal onsen experiences in other articles in this blog, so check back soon to my blog to read these upcoming posts.

A typical room layout of a Japanese ryokan, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

The area under the painting is not to put luggage or to be sat on, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Besides the onsen experience, staying in a ryokan also usually include dining on traditional Japanese meals that had been painstakingly put together by your ryokan host. The dishes in these meals are usually prepared from the freshest seasonal ingredients found locally where the ryokan is located. Thus, staying at different ryokans in different parts of Japan and during the different seasons allows one to enjoy different dining experiences! All of which are traditional, unique and awesome.

Most ryokan stays come in a package deal that includes dinner and breakfast for each day of your stay. These meals are served at fixed timings to ensure the freshness of the dishes and their ingredients. Thus, it is important to be punctual for your meals at the ryokan. Lunch is usually not included and you can safely assumed so unless otherwise advised by your hosts. I have yet to stay in a ryokan in Japan where lunch is included in the stay package.

We stayed for a night at a ryokan in Ito when my friends and I were traveling along the Izu Peninsula in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture during early spring of 2017. And our ryokan hosts served up great meals for both dinner and breakfast. 

As I am a firm believer in the saying that pictures tell a thousand words, here are the photographs of my dinner spread, prepared and served by our ryokan hosts during our stay.

Our dinner table, set and waiting for the four of us by our hospitable ryokan hosts, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Appetizers, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Sashimi made from the freshest ingredinets, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Deep fried vegetables; tempura-style, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Fresh sakura shrimps in a hotpot (before cooking), Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Fresh sakura shrimps in a hotpot (after cooking), Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Pickled vegetables, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Shrimp with bean curd, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Fish, prepared Japanese style, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

Fragrant Japanese short grain rice fried with mushrooms, Ito, Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (2017)

If you have yet to enjoy the hospitality and unique experiences associated with a ryokan stay in Japan, do remember to include this in your travel itinerary when you visit Japan. It is an experience you will enjoy and one that will stay in your memories for a long time.