We are traveling to Japan for the first time and will have two days and nights in Kyoto. I would like to experience a Ryokan but would like to also try a restaurant in town one night. Is it "done" to have the full dining experience for just one night of a two night stay in a Ryokan?

Yes, it is common.

http://japaneseguesthouses.com/ryoka...ts/?area=Kyoto

Ryokan often have an option of no meal or of breakfast only. Click on MORE INFORMATION for a ryokan at the link above.

Hiiragiya, for one, has check-marks next to all of these options:

Dinner and Breakfast Plan Available
Breakfast Plan Only Available
No Meal Plan Available
Special Meal Request (e.g. No Pork)
Vegetarian Meals (with fish)
Vegetarian Meals (no fish but with fish broth)
Western-style Breakfast
Dinner Served in Guest Room
Breakfast Served in Guest Room

Silly question perhaps - but what do people generally do for lunch when at a ryokan, if they only serve breakfast and dinner? Are the meals substantial enough that people don't require lunch, are you able to separately buy things, or do you just do your own thing and go out and do something during the day?

presumably one is out and about in the middle of the day/lunch time . . .

Thanks; I said it was stupid - and perhaps obvious. Just ask because there are a couple we are looking at for a stay next year, that seem a bit isolated.

THR, even in the most isolated places in Japan, I have found good, inexpensive options for lunch. There is always a grocery store around where you can pick up sushi, and you won't believe this, but 7/11's have decent soup and sushi. If you don't like sushi, then you can just buy other foods at convenience stores, which include Family Marts, or big grocery stores.

Of course, you should always have some nuts or protein bars or whatever with you from home. I was on a bus awhile back, on Kyushu, that got stuck in traffic, and thank goodness I had a protein bar.

Ryokan breakfasts are huge, as are the dinners. When we stay in one, we normally just gets snacks in the middle of the day.

An no matter how isolated, I've never had a problem getting snacks, whether it be from a conbi (convenience store), a souvenir shop, or a temple.

Thank you all for your advice.

I can recommend Shiraume ryokan in Kyoto's historic Gion district - we did one night full kaiseki dinner and one night bed and breakfast only. That was perfect. And it was a gorgeous ryokan. Here's my report: http://www.kaveyeats.com/2013/03/her...n-me-into.html

We did not stay in the ryokan during the day, that is not really so common in city ryokans as there's not much to do and, for my mind, the rooms don't have the kind of seating one can lounge around in to read or relax.

Staying in the ryokan during the day is more so in rural onsen destinations and even there, guests will often go out for part of the day to bathe in the onsens of other inns in the immediate vicinity.

More rural places do sometimes offer lunch options, but it's by no means universal so I'd check if I thought it might be important.

But in Kyoto, surely you'll be wanting to get out and explore during the day anyway.

THR if you plan to stay on or near the ryokan property and want lunch just let the ryokan know at check in and they will do what they can for you. I have been to many ryokan throughout Japan (29 and counting) and most will offer you two or three options for a light lunch. Even if the kitchen is closed for lunch they will make something ahead of time for you of course at an added price. What is usually on offer is oyaku donburi (chicken with rice and egg)my fav lol a fish and rice option and some type of sandwich. The dishes in my experiences run from 12 to 15 dollars each. You will also have to leave your room for cleaning and the hot springs baths are usually closed at some period during that time of day for cleaning.

Aloha!

oh most also offer some sort of soba noodle soup dish for lunch also....yummm