Ryokan

In Nara we stayed at a Ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, Ryokan Seikanso. This was a pleasant change from the usual dormitory situation, and also just a very cool place to stay. Supposedly parts of the inn were from the 17th century and had been used as a geisha house. The garden in the middle of the complex was very beautiful, as was the dining room where we took breakfast. There was a traditional bath, which was very hot. Much like a spa one cleanses before entering the bath, which is communal and meant for soaking, and felt really good after a long day of touring temples in the rain. The rooms had tatami flooring, so we left our shoes at the front door and used slippers in the halls, special slippers for the toilet, and went barefoot on the tatami. The entire inn had a lovely scent of tatami, incense, and wood. We slept on traditional futons on the floor, which we unfolded at night, and back up again during the day. :)