Traveling alone through Japan
 

Hi - I am a woman and will be traveling alone through Japan. I am not concerned about safety - my question revolves around staying in a ryokan as an individual. Will the owners of the ryokans find it bizarre? Also, is it quite lonely being in a ryokan on your own? Would I be able to read a book while I eat the kaiseki meals and japanese breakfests or would this be considered rude?

Any thoughts would be most helpful.

Thanks!

I actually think that staying in a ryokan would be better for solo travelers since the meals (breakfast and dinner) are served in your room--although a few may do common dining rooms. I would assume that it would be fine to read a book during your meal; just make sure to acknowledge and thank the person bringing your food and don't read while they're still in your room.

Although a ryokan is much smaller than most western style hotels, it is not like a youth hostel where everyone interacts with everyone else. I've stayed in several ryokans with my husband, but have never felt that I would be uncomfortable being there solo.

As for loneliness, I'm not sure I can help answer that question.

Thanks for your advice. QUick question - for the meals in the ryokans, are there multiple courses, or could the person just set everything out at once. that way, there would be a little less interaction (which would be preferable since I'd be solo and probably reading!).

It varies a bit depending on the meal and the ryokan. Breakfast is usually set out all at once. As for dinner, I've come across ryokans where the kaiseki dinner comes in multiple courses (i.e. multiple interuptions) AND I've also come across some where everything was laid out all at once.

If you are in a ryokan where the dinner is served in courses, I think the server would find it very rude if you were reading while being served. The whole point of kaiseki meals is to present the food like entertainment- the beauty of the food & dishes, the aroma, the taste, etc. Reading would be like reading during a music recital.

In addition, Ryokans usually will use their best English-speaking employee to serve foreign guests. We've always enjoyed chatting with them as they serve. Even if your japanese is limited, you can still communicate to some extent.

I don't think the owners will think your being alone bizarre. Even if they did, they'd never let on to you.

I wouldn't worry about being alone at all in Japan! Back in the 80's, I traveled all throughout Japan by myself, stayed in ryokans from Tokyo to Hiroshima, and couldn't have enjoyed it more-met many interesting people, and felt I gained a great deal more insight into Japanese culture because I had to interact with the people and customs so much more. Will be in Tokyo on my way back from China, staying at ryokan Shigetzu by myself in a few weeks for the first time in 20 years and am quite looking forward to it! Happy solo travel!