ryokan

American  

[ree-oh-kahn, ryaw-kahn] / ˈri oʊˌkɑn, ˈryɔˈkɑn /

noun

plural

ryokan, ryokans

1. a traditional Japanese inn or small hotel whose floors are covered with tatami.

---

ryokan British  

/ rɪˈəʊkən /

noun

1. a traditional Japanese inn

---

Etymology

Origin of ryokan

Borrowed into English from Japanese around 1960–65

Example Sentences

Known for its narrow streets of tea houses and "ryokan" inns, Kyoto has been both badly hit and deeply relieved by the absence of foreign tourists, locals say.

From Reuters • Jul. 3, 2022

Tomoko Okuda, who runs Shiraume, a ryokan that welcomes overseas guests, believes more could be done to educate tourists about local customs before they arrive.

From The Guardian • Jun. 14, 2018

At a coastal ryokan on the Izu-Hantu peninsula, a few hours west of Tokyo, I was served a simple strawberry for dessert.

From Forbes • Aug. 20, 2014

One of the “small luxuries of ryokan life is the total lack of choice when it comes to dining,” Mr. Brûlé wrote.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2012

One of the most exciting parts of the walk for me is the chance to spend some nights at wayside inns known as ryokan or, when simpler, as minshuku.

From Washington Post