Lesson 11Describing Order of Events - Hot Springs -
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Hot Spring Ryokan Inn
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Explanation through photos
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Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen is a very big and famous hot spring in Gunma Prefecture. This is a yubatake [hot water farm] in the center of Kusatsu Onsen, and it is a sightseeing spot in Kusatsu.
Hot spring inn
At a hot spring, there are ryokan inns. A ryokan is a Japanese-style hotel. It is built in Japanese style.
Entrance
Here is the entrance of the ryokan. Many pairs of slippers are neatly lined up. A woman called the okami welcomes guests at the entrance. The okami is the matron of the ryokan. Ryokan staff wear kimonos.
Welcoming guests
When guests arrive, ryokan staff welcome them with bows and greetings -- Welcome to our ryokan! Then a maid called a nakai takes guests to their room. The nakai often carries the guests' baggage to the room.
Japanese-style room
This is a Japanese-style room. It has tatami mats, a low zataku table and zabuton cushions. In a Japanese-style room, you don't sit on a chair, but on a cushion. There are shoji paper sliding screens on the windows. There also is a mirror at the back of the room.
Nakai maid
When guests enter the room, the nakai who took you to the room makes tea. At a not so luxurious inn, the guests make their own tea.
Making tea
Put tea leaves in the teapot and pour in hot water. Then serve in teacups. When you serve tea, you hold the teapot with both hands.
Tea and snacks
There are also snacks, such as rice crackers and sweet bean-paste buns. These snacks are usually made locally and can be purchased as souvenirs at the inn shop.
Greetings from nakai maid
The nakai explains the facilities, mealtimes, and so on. Then she makes a polite greeting, Please enjoy your stay, and bows.
Indoor bath
This is a hot spring bath. In a hot spring ryokan, there is a daiyokujo [big bath] where you bathe with other guests. The baths for men and women are separated. The bath that is inside of the building is called the uchiburo [indoor bath]. You wash your body in the washing area outside of the bath.
Open-air bath
The bath that is outside of the building is called a rotenburo [open-air bath]. You can enjoy the view outside while taking an open-air bath.
Taking a stroll
After a bath, you can take a stroll through town in a yukata robe. You can borrow a yukata and a pair of geta clogs from the inn.
Hot spring boiled eggs 1
They are boiling eggs in a hot spring. These are called onsen tamago [hot spring boiled eggs] and are a local specialty of hot springs.
Hot spring boiled eggs 2
This is onsen tamago. The yolk is hard but the white remains soft, which is the peculiarity of a hot spring boiled egg. We eat it with a spoon.
Hot spring inn at night
It is nighttime at the hot spring inn. A stay at an inn is usually for one night and includes two meals. Dinner and breakfast are served during your stay.
Dinner 1
This is a dinner served at a hot spring ryokan. Food for one person is served on a tray. Some ryokan serve meals in guests' rooms while others serve them in the dining room. When the meal is served in your room, a nakai brings the food and prepares the dinner table.
Dinner 2
Japanese food incorporates a sense of the season. Here a persimmon is used as a bowl. An autumn persimmon leaf is placed under the fruit, suggesting fall.
Dinner 3
This is sashimi, which is presented beautifully. The plate shape, size and pattern are selected according to the food.
Dinner 4
This is a hot pot dish cooked at the table. At dinner, it is served in a small, personal-size hot pot. Light the solid fuel to warm it up. Many inns serve local dishes with local ingredients.
Preparing futon bedding 1
After dinner, inn staff lay out futon bedding for you. First comes a mattress.
Preparing futon bedding 2
Next, lay the bottom futon on the mattress.
Preparing futon bedding 3
Spread a sheet over the bottom futon.
Preparing futon bedding 4
Put a pillow on the bottom futon.
Preparing futon bedding 5
Finally, spread a top futon.
Preparing futon bedding 6
When the futon bed is ready, the service staff tells you, Please have a good rest. You may want to take another hot spring bath before going to bed, as it is sure to give you a good night's sleep.
