Ekiben 駅弁

Stay 宿 · Stop H03

旅館と温泉

Ryokan and onsen in Japanese

You've checked into a ryokan in Hakone: tatami floors, a yukata to wear, and a hot-spring bath. Ask about bath and dinner times, tattoos, and how to wear a yukata.

  • 箱根 · Set in Hakone
  • 6-minute lesson
  • With Ekiben Pass

Phrases

だいよくじょうはなんじまでですか？

daiyokujou wa nanji made desu ka?

Until what time is the large bath open?

大浴場 = the big shared bath. Many close late at night and reopen early in the morning.

Pattern: 〜は何時までですか？

大浴場はdaiyokujou wa · large bath (topic)何時までnanji made · until what timeですかdesu ka · is it?

タトゥーがあってもだいじょうぶですか？

tatuu ga atte mo daijoubu desu ka?

Is it OK if I have a tattoo?

Many onsen still refuse tattoos. Ask first, or look for a private bath.

タトゥーがtatuu ga · tattoo (subject)あってもatte mo · even if (I) have大丈夫ですかdaijoubu desu ka · is it OK?

ゆうしょくはなんじからですか？

yuushoku wa nanji kara desu ka?

What time does dinner start?

Ryokan dinners are served at set times, in your room or in a dining hall.

Pattern: 〜は何時からですか？

夕食はyuushoku wa · dinner (topic)何時からnanji kara · from what timeですかdesu ka · is it?

ゆかたのきかたをおしえてください

yukata no kikata o oshiete kudasai

Could you show me how to wear the yukata?

Left side over right! Right over left is only for the deceased.

Literally: Please teach me how to wear the yukata.

浴衣のyukata no · the yukata's着方をkikata o · way to wear (object)教えてoshiete · tell / show (me)くださいkudasai · please (do)

かしきりぶろはありますか？

kashikiri-buro wa arimasu ka?

Do you have a private bath?

貸切風呂 = a private bath you book for your group. Great for families or if you have tattoos.

貸切風呂はkashikiri-buro wa · private bath (topic)ありますかarimasu ka · is there?

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

daiyokujou wa yoru juuichiji made goriyou itadakemasu.

You can use the large bath until 11 at night.

Ryokan staff explaining the bath hours.

You

asa wa nanji kara desu ka?

And from what time in the morning?

ofuton wa, oyuushoku no aida ni oshikishimasu.

We'll lay out your futon while you're at dinner.

At a ryokan, staff turn your tatami room into a bedroom while you eat.

You

arigatou gozaimasu

Thank you.

Culture tip

Onsen Basics

Wash and rinse at the shower stations before you get in. Bathe naked (no swimsuits), and keep your small towel out of the water. Many onsen still refuse tattoos. Some allow small ones covered with a patch, or you can book a private bath.

“It's fine to wear a swimsuit in a Japanese onsen.”

Practice scene

Before the Bath

A ryokan in Hakone. A staff member has just shown you to your tatami room.

Ms. Yamamoto · Ryokan staff

  1. kochira ga oheya de gozaimasu. goyukkuri douzo.

    This is your room. Please make yourself at home.

  2. Your turn: Ask what time dinner starts.

    yuushoku wa nanji kara desu ka?

    What time does dinner start?

  3. oyuushoku wa rokuji han kara de gozaimasu.

    Dinner is from 6:30.

  4. Your turn: You have a small tattoo. Ask if that's OK for the bath.

    tatuu ga atte mo daijoubu desu ka?

    Is it OK if I have a tattoo?

  5. moushiwake arimasen, daiyokujou wa goenryo kudasai. kashikiri-buro nara daijoubu desu.

    I'm sorry, the large bath isn't allowed. The private bath is fine, though.

  6. Your turn: Now ask her to show you how to wear the yukata.

    yukata no kikata o oshiete kudasai

    Could you show me how to wear the yukata?

  7. hai. hidarigawa o ue ni shite, obi o musunde kudasai.

    Sure. Put the left side over the right, then tie the belt.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3