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At the Japanese-Style Hotel by Molly Hakes

Travelers who opt for a ryokan or a bed and breakfast-type minshuku rather than a Western-style hotel can expect an interesting experience. Your bathroom and toilet (the Japanese almost always separate the two) will most likely be Japanese-style and communal. Meals, too, are often served in a common room although times are usually flexible.

Minshuku Vocabulary

doo

How about? What?

itadakimasu

I humbly receive.

taberu, tabemasu

to eat

taberarenai

unable to eat

tabetai

would like to eat

yuhan

dinner, the evening meal

asagohan

breakfast

itsu

when

o-furo

bath (honorific)

hairitai-n, hairimasu

would like to get in, get in

junbi

preparation

When's Dinner?

Check-in procedures at a minshuku are similar to a business hotel. You will be asked to register your name and address. Prices may be somewhat cheaper, even with meals included. Dinner and breakfast are still optional, though, and you should discuss the inclusion of meals with the manager.

13

<tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><B>Manager:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Chooshoku wa doo shimasu ka</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>What would you like to do about meals?</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Guest:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Itadakimasu</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>I humbly receive.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Manager:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Arigatoo gozaimasu. Nani ka taberarenai mono wa arimasu ka</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>Thank you! Is there anything you cannot eat?</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Guest:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Iie. Nan demo kekko desu</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>No, I eat anything.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Manager:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Yokatta. Yuhan wa nan-ji ni tabemasu ka</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>What time would you like to eat dinner?</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Guest:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Shichi-ji gurai ni tabetai-n desu</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>I would like to eat at seven.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Manager:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Wakarimashita. Asagohan wa hachi-ji goro de doo desu ka</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>I see. How about breakfast at 8:00 <emphasis role="Smallcaps">A.M.</emphasis>?</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Guest:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Onegai shimasu</emphasis></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>Yes, please.</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <p>Family-run establishments are, by nature, usually more relaxed and casual than big hotels. That homey feeling is reflected in the less formal language of this dialogue. Phrases like <emphasis>doo shimasu ka</emphasis> and <emphasis>yokatta</emphasis> are common in everyday exchanges. <emphasis>Doo shimasu ka</emphasis> is a way of asking people what they would like to do in a particular situation:</p> <div class="npsb"> <p><emphasis>Yuhan wa doo shimasu ka</emphasis>.</p> <p>What should we do for dinner?</p> </div> <p>It can also be used in the form of <emphasis>doo desu ka</emphasis> to gauge opinion or desire:</p> <div class="npsb"> <p><emphasis>Raamen wa doo desu ka</emphasis>.</p> <p>How would you like some ramen?</p> </div> <p><emphasis>Yokatta</emphasis> is another great catch-all phrase that simply means “I'm glad,” or “Isn't that nice?” It can be used in a variety of situations to express pleasure and approval.</p> <h2>A Nighttime Bath</h2> <p>It is customary for Japanese people to bathe every evening before going to bed. Your <emphasis>minshuku</emphasis> manager will gladly prepare a hot bath for you, but remember to wash thoroughly before getting in, as other guests will also be using the same water. You may be asked when you plan on bathing so that the bath will be ready when you are, or so that times can be coordinated with other people staying at the establishment.</p> <div class="npmo"> <img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/np/japanese/cd.jpg"> <div class="npcp"><p><B>14</B></p></div> </div> <table frame="none" width="100%"> <title/> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/> <tbody> <tr> <td><p><B>Manager:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>O-furo wa itsu hairimasu ka</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>When would you like to take a bath?</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Guest:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Sugu hairitai-n desu</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>I'd like to get in as soon as possible.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Manager:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Jaa, junbi o shite okimasu. Go yukkuri doozo</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>Then, I'll get it ready. Please take your time.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><B>Guest:</B></p></td> <td><p><emphasis>Onegai shimasu</emphasis>.</p></td> </tr> <tr> <td><para/></td> <td><p>Please take care of it for me.</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </tgroup> </table> <h2>Sleeping Arrangements</h2> <p>In a <emphasis>minshuku</emphasis>, everything is Japanese-style, which means you will be sleeping on a <emphasis>futon</emphasis> on the floor. Depending on the place, the proprietor may lay out your <emphasis>futon</emphasis> for you, or you may be expected to do it yourself. All the necessary supplies will be stacked in a closet in the room. The harder, thinner futon goes down first, followed by a slightly thicker, softer version. A flat sheet goes next, followed by a towel-type blanket and the fluffy comforter on top.</p> <div class="npsb"> <h2></h2> <p>Traditional Japanese toilets are flush with the floor and require the user to squat. Face the plumbing and place your feet on either side of the latrine. Until you get the hang of it and to avoid “spills,” it is recommended that you remove any clothing below the waist. <emphasis>Kanji</emphasis> characters for “big” and “small” are written on the flusher (big to the left and small to the right), and determine how much water is used. Please use your best judgment.</p> </div> <!--/gc--> <div id="pagination"><ul><li class="prev"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/japanese/negotiating-a-good-nights-sleep/making-sure-you-are-comfortable.htm" title="Making Sure You Are Comfortable">Making Sure You Are Comfortable</a></li><li class="next"><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/japanese/negotiating-a-good-nights-sleep/getting-a-stamped-receipt.htm" title="Getting a Stamped Receipt">Getting a Stamped Receipt</a> </li></ul></div></div> <div id="coda"> <div id="rel"><div class="n5">Related Articles</div><ul> <li><a href="http://www.netplaces.com/japanese/negotiating-a-good-nights-sleep/at-the-japanese-style-hotel.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> At the Japanese-Style Hotel - Japanese </a></li> <li><a href="http://camping.about.com/u/reviews/campgroundreviews/campgrounds/Quintana-Beach-County-Park-Quintana-Texas.htm" zT="18/1YL/Zn"> Quintana Beach County Park, Quintana, Texas - Reader Review: Campgroun... </a></li> <li><a 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