Ryokan Fujioto

For our single night in Taumago we stayed in a traditional Japanese Inn or 'ryokan'. The Ryokan Fujioto is run by Fujihara-san, the friendly and spry 60-something gentleman who took over the business from his grandfather 25 years ago.

There were two other families staying at the ryokan, one Japanese and one Australian. We had our own little loft with side by side rooms, each with the traditional tatami mats, sliding shoji screens, low furniture, and futon mattresses. We were well-instructed on the proper footwear etiquette, including when to wear house slippers, when to wear bathroom slippers, when to wear garden slippers, and when to have no slippers on.

This ryokan also gave us a low-stress introduction to Japanese baths, since the staff gave us detailed instructions and encouraged us to use the common baths as 'private' (i.e. we could lock the doors). Japanese baths are essentially large rooms with multiple shower heads (to accomodate multiple bathers at once) and a large soaking tub. Bathers are expected to sit on a small bench and scrub themselves clean, armed with a bucket and cloth, and rinse thoroughly before entering the communal tub. Wash cloth and soap are never permitted in the communal tub. At Fujioto the tub was made out of a special cedar.

Fujioto-san was a wonderful host (see blogs on dinner and on money troubles), and we very much enjoyed our time at Fujioto. The traditional and historic feel of the building made for a great experience and the garden was beautiful.