Where Will You Stay?
When you arrive in a city you are going to visit, you will have made some arrangements for where you are going to stay. You have options for places to stay in many locations.
- Youth Hostels ユースホステル
- Tthese are inexpensive places to stay that generally do not provide for you as a hotel does. There is generally not a private bathroom in each room--it is much more like "dorm living" where several rooms on a hall share a bathroom. They are a good option if that is not a huge problem for you.
- Pension / Minshuku ペンション/ みんしゅく(民宿)
- These are similar to hostels and there are lots of them all over Japan. As with the youth hostel, several rooms share a restroom and in general, there is less privacy than in a regular hotel, but the price is also cheaper.
- Hotels ホテル
- Hotels are generally much more expensive than youth hostels or pensions/minshuku, but you will generally have more privacy and service a private bathroom in your room.
- Japanese style inns りょかん(旅館)
- A ryokan will provide you Japanese style comforts and hospitalities. You will be sleeping on futon in a Japanese style room and taking a Japanese style bath. Meals can be served in your room. Many ryokan also have onsen to relax in as well. The price may include set meals.
Where is it? どこですか。
SWhen you arrive at the city you are going to visit, and you have your arrangements made, you will need to know a few other things in order to get to your destination. Many of these are expressions or parts of expressions that we have learned before.
| しながわプリンスホテルは、どこですか。(品川プリンスホテルは、どこですか。) | Where is the Shinagawa Prince Hotel? |
| しながわプリンスホテルに どういくかおしえてください。(品川プリンスホテルに どういくか 教えて下さい。) | Can you tell me how I go to the Shinagawa Prince Hotel? |
| しながわプリンスホテルには、どういきますか。(品川プリンスホテルには、どう行きますか。) | How do I go to the Shinagawa Prince Hotel? |
| しながわプリンスホテルまで つれていってください。(品川プリンスホテルまで 連れて行って下さい。) | Can you take me to the Shinagawa Prince Hotel? |
| しながわプリンスホテルは、なにどうりに ありますか。(品川プリンスホテルは、何通りに ありますか。) | On what street is the Shinagawa Prince Hotel? |
| しながわプリンスホテルに どうやったら つきますか。(品川プリンスホテルに どうやったら 着きますか。) | How do I arrive at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel? |
| たいざいします。(滞在します。) | To stay |
| とまります。(泊まります。) | To stay overnight |
| あるきまわります。(歩き回ります。) | To go around |
| りょこうしゃ(旅行者) | Tourist |
| れきしてきなばしょ(歴史的な場所) | Historical monument |
| みます。(見ます) | To see |
| ほうもんします。(訪問します。) | To visit |
Vocabulary Practice
Practice your new vocabulary in this activity. Click Vocabulary Practice or click Begin below.
Here is a print version of this actvity. You will still need to use the online version to hear any audio.
Writing Practice
Practice more with this activity. Imagine that you are in the situation indicated on the left. What can you say in Japanese? Click each link to see a potential response.
Ryokan りょかん（旅館）
Ryokan are Japanese style inns. They come in all sizes and are found all across Japan. A stay at a ryokan is highly recommended to all foreign visitors of Japan, as it offers the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese atmosphere.
Typical rates for ryokan range between 6,000 and 20,000 Yen per night per person, but some no-frills establishments offer rooms for less.
Guests stay in Japanese style rooms with tatami たたみ・畳 floors and low tables. Shoes are usually removed at the ryokan's main entrance, where slippers will be kept ready. You are supposed to remove even your slippers before stepping onto tatami mats.
Except in the case of inexpensive ryokan, dinner and breakfast are usually included in the overnight stay. At the most traditional ryokan, meals are served in the guest rooms, but common dining rooms are used elsewhere. Both meals are typically Japanese style and often feature regional specialties.
A yukata ゆかた・浴衣 (cotton Kimono) is provided to be worn during your stay at the ryokan. The yukata can be used for walking around the ryokan、 and as pajamas. In many onsen おんせん・温泉 resorts, it is also okay to take a walk outside of the ryokan in your yukata. Note, however, that unlike the yukata provided at ryokan, the yukata provided at Western style hotels are not supposed to be worn outside of your room.
During your stay, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a Japanese style bath. Most ryokan come with a gender-separated, communal bath, but in many cases it is also possible to use the bath on a private basis (by reserving a time slot). In hot spring resorts, the ryokan's bath water is directly supplied from the hot spring. You have already read and studied the details of how to take hot baths in Japan (see Unit 3 House).
Last but not least, ryokan guests sleep in traditional style, using a futon ふとん・布団, which is spread out on the tatami floor. The ryokan staff will prepare the futon for you before bed time, except at inexpensive ryokan, where you have to do it by yourself. During the day, the futon is kept in a closet.
Graded Assignments
Please return to the Section 2 Tasks & Assignments folder to complete the graded assignments for Section2, Part B.
