What to Wear in a Ryokan: Complete Guide
Wondering what to wear in a ryokan? This guide covers yukata, slippers, onsen rules, and packing tips so you know exactly what to bring.
Staying in a ryokan is one of the best parts of a Japan trip, but a lot of people get stuck on one simple question: what do you actually wear? Do you bring pajamas, stick with street clothes, or just use what the ryokan offers?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything, from the yukata you’ll be given, to what goes underneath, to how you dress for dinner or the onsen. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to pack and what to expect.
What clothing does a ryokan provide?
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to pack much. Almost every ryokan offers a yukata, a cotton robe that you’ll wear around the inn.
Along with it, you’ll usually get an obi sash, slippers for walking through the hallways, and a light haori or hanten jacket if it’s winter.
Some ryokans also provide towels, socks, and a small cloth for the onsen. Basically, they hand you a starter kit for the full ryokan experience. All you have to do is put it on and relax.
How to wear a yukata correctly
Wearing a yukata isn’t tricky, but there’s one rule you don’t want to mess up: left side over right.
The other way around is only for funerals. Once you remember that, the rest is easy.
- Slip the yukata on like a robe.
- Wrap the right side in first, then the left side over it.
- Tie the obi sash around your waist (higher for women, lower for men).
- Smooth the collar so it sits flat.
If it feels long, tuck a little fabric at the waist before tying the sash. And if the size isn’t right, you can always ask for a bigger or smaller one at check-in.
What to wear under a yukata
You don’t need much under a yukata. Regular underwear is fine, and some people add a light T-shirt or camisole for comfort.
In summer, keep it simple. In winter, you might want a thin layer underneath to stay warm, especially if you’re walking outside in an onsen town.
For your feet, socks are okay. If the ryokan offers tabi socks (the kind with a split toe), give them a try! They fit well with slippers and feel very Japanese style.
Can you wear a yukata to dinner and breakfast?
Yes, you can. In fact, most ryokans expect you to. Dinner and breakfast are part of the ryokan experience, and wearing a yukata makes it feel special. You don’t need to change back into street clothes unless you really want to.
At dinner you’ll sit down in a yukata and enjoy a full kaiseki meal, course after course of Japanese cuisine.
In the morning it’s the same: yukata is totally fine for breakfast.
If you’re in an onsen town like Kinosaki Onsen, you’ll even see people strolling outside in yukata and geta sandals.
What about slippers inside the ryokan?
Slippers are everywhere in a ryokan, and they have their own rules.
When you walk in, you take your shoes off at the entrance and swap into the slippers waiting there. Those are for hallways and wooden floors.
The moment you step onto tatami mats, slippers come off. It’s socks or bare feet only.
In the bathroom, there will be special toilet slippers you swap into.
It feels a little strange at first, but you get used to it fast. I think it’s one of those small Japanese habits that ends up feeling natural after a day or two.
What to wear to the onsen
This one’s simple. Nothing. No swimsuits, no clothes. You rinse off at the showers, then soak nude in the onsen. That’s the rule everywhere in Japan.
You can bring a small towel to cover yourself while you walk to the tub, but it never goes in the water.
You should tie up your hair if it’s long, remove jewelry, and leave everything else in the locker.
Some ryokans also offer private baths if you’d rather not share. Either way, once you try it, you’ll see why the onsen is such a big part of the ryokan experience.
Quick ryokan packing checklist
Here’s what I’d throw in my bag to make a ryokan stay easier:
- Light underwear and socks.
- A T-shirt or camisole if you want a layer under the yukata.
- Warm socks or heat packs in winter.
- Simple pajamas if you prefer them over a yukata.
- Hair ties or clips for the onsen.
- A small tote bag for carrying things to the bath.
That’s all you need. Everything else, like yukata, sash, slippers, and towels, the ryokan will provide.
