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.

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ryokan British  

/ rɪˈəʊkən /

noun

1. a traditional Japanese inn

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Etymology

Origin of ryokan

Borrowed into English from Japanese around 1960–65

Example Sentences

"I'm hoping and anticipating that a lot of foreigners will come to Japan, just like before COVID," said Sawa, the third-generation owner of the Sawanoya ryokan in Tokyo.

From Reuters • Oct. 10, 2022

Lovers of architecture may want to pack their bags for this hot spring ryokan designed by Kengo Kuma, renowned for buildings such as the Suntory Museum of Art and the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo.

From New York Times • Sep. 27, 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

A “thing” can be the one strawberry at the ryokan I described above: the world stops, as the Japanese diner focuses on every sensual aspect, and every metaphoric implication, of the food.

From Forbes • Aug. 20, 2014

We stayed in Japanese ryokan, or inns, for seven nights of our trip.

From Washington Post