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The Room ( OHEYA ) :
In Japanese style rooms, the room floors are covered with TATAMI mats of
woven straw.
Each mat measures about 6~3 feet. The size of room is described by the number of
mats to cover the floor area. E.g. four and half mats, six mats or eight mats,
etc.
The rooms are equipped with wall closets, and partitioned off by wooden
framed wall covered with fireproofing gypsum boards. Some room entrances
have a sliding door.
The larger rooms may be partitioned by the FUSUMA sliding doors made of
Japanese paper.
Some rooms have the SHOUJI sliding doors made of Japanese white paper instead
of western curtains.
A foot-high small table, and ZABUTON cushions will be included in some
rooms.
In the rooms you may choose to sit on the Zabuton cushions to enjoy a pleasant
evening, use the small table to write letters, or lie down on the TATAMI
mats watch T.V. depending on your preferences or circumstances.
Before sleeping, you will make the bed yourself.
Please keep in mind that you have to remove your shoes at the entrance
vestibule to the minshuku and replace these withsupplied slippers.
However you will remove these slippers before entering the TATAMI room
as only bare or stocking feet are permitted on TATAMI mats.
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| 2. |
Bedding ( How to use FUTON-mat bed ) :
Differing from European and American style beds, traditional Japanese futon
beds are made by laying out a set of Japanese mattress and matching quilt
on the Tatami mat floor.
In the evening you take FUTONs and pillows out of the wall closet, and
place them on the tatami matting.
In the morning, fold them up doubled on the tatami mat.
Some MINSHUKU provide YUKATA-kimono dressing gowns for your use during
your stay.
In case the minshuku you stay in does not, it is wise to bring your own
just in case.
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| 3. |
The Bath room ( OFURO ) :
People do not wash for cleanliness in Japanese style bathtubs. Instead it is
used for warming your body and relaxing your tired muscles and nerves.
Consequently you will wash thoroughly before entering the ofuro (see below).
Some minshuku have a larger bathtub supplied by hot spring water for all day
use.
The hot water in the tub will not be renewed for each person and so
must be kept as clean as possible.
In most MINSHUKU, bathrooms and toilet
rooms are shared with other guests.
Guests are requested to use these by
turn. Most MINSHUKU have 2 small bath tubs ( larger than a hotel bath ) one each
for men and for women's separate use.
Bathrooms are usually open from 4 p.m.
to 10 p.m.
Take your toiletries and night clothes with you to the ofuro.
@@@( How to use the Japanese bathroom )
Usually there is a shower head mounted away from the tub about 2-3 feet
off the floor. You can sit on the small stool provided and use this
shower to soap and rinse yourself thoroughly. Many people will repeat
this soap and rinse to ensure they are very clean. Make sure that
no soapy or dirty water enters the tub.
You can then step into the tub for a good soak.
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4.
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Meals ( SHOKUJI or Oshokuji ) :
Typical menus served by MINSHUKU are as follows.
@Dinner or Supper : 5 dishes plus pickles, rice and soup.
@Breakfast :2 or 3 dishes plus eggs, pickles, rice and miso soup, etc.
@@@( Toast, eggs, and coffee are available upon prior request at some minshuku.)
@If the minshuku is near the sea, SASHIMI ( slices of fresh raw fish), TEMPURA
@( Japanese deep fried fish or vegetables ) and NITSUKE ( boiled fish or
@vegetables or seaweed ) are often available.
@If the minshuku is in a mountain village, meals could include TEMPURA made of edible wild grass, and NABE ( boiled
meat , vegetables or dumplings in a pot of seasoned soup ). |
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| 5. |
Check-in & Check-out time
Check-in time: usually between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Please check in by 5 p.m., otherwise your room reservation may be cancelled.
( Those who paid a deposit of more than 50% in advance to Japan MINSHUKU Center, need not be concerned by this rule - your booking is firm. )
Check-out time :10:00 a.m.
You may leave your baggage at the MINSHUKU if you arrive there before 3 p.m.
and wish to explore the surrounding area.
Dinner is usually served about 6 to 7 p.m., so please return to the MINSHUKU
by that time.
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6.
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THE LANGUAGE BARRIER,
You may experience some difficulties due to differences in language between
yourselves and your hosts.
If you do, please don't hesitate to call us directly from your MINSHUKU.
We are ready to help you.
(Our office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday & Thursday,
and 11:00 am. to 8 p.m Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday)
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7.
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The Price (RYOUKIN) of a MINSHUKU stay
Overnight rates for MINSHUKU are about 6,000 to 8,500 Ten per person per
night dinner and breakfast included.
However in some places such as TOKYO, KYOTO, OSAKA , NARA and other large
cities, breakfast will be the only meal included in the overnight
rate.
The prices are shown per person per night included 5 % taxes in Japanese Yen.
If you would like to stay at the cheapest accommodation available in Japan,
the MINSHUKU in our network may not be your best choice.
Please note the following conditions.
Payment should be made in cash, in Japanese Yen on your arrival.
In Japan foreign credit cards will only be able to be used in bigger hotels or
banks; most forms of accommodations, restaurants & shops will
only accept cash. |
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| 8. |
Most MINSHUKU are run by the housewives in addition to their main employment. As well as
daily housework, some have another work such as farm work to do. Their
family often help with dishes or cleaning the rooms.
Please understand that in this respect MINSHUKUs are
quite different than hotels where these activities are carried out by paid
staff.
Even though most minshuku hosts cannot understand English, they are
warm hearted and kind. You will feel very welcome there.
All minshuku
are inspected twice a year.
No minshuku is allowed to operate without health
department, fire department and government certification.
They are very
conscious of hygiene. Although some minshuku may be smaller, you can eat and
rest with no concern of hygiene or safety.
Some minshuku have grown and now
have facilities for sports, training or conferences.
Consequently these
minshuku are more suitable for students in training camps and not as suitable
for the private family tourist.
Ensure that you consider this aspect when
choosing your accommodation.
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| 9. |
The main differences between minshuku and hotel or large scale ryokan- accommodation.
No staff, maids or no servants in minshuku..
Payment should be in cash only.
A few minshuku families can speak English, but this
is not usually an issue.
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| 10. |
The Hot-line desk for Minshuku stays all over Japan with
Minshuku Network Japan is.
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A typical minshuku
