Japanese word

旅館

Pronunciation

Romajiryokan

Meaning

  • nounJapanese inn

Example

今夜は旅館に泊まります。kon ya wa ryo kan ni to ma ri ma su

I will stay at a Japanese inn tonight.

Illustration for 旅館 (Japanese inn)

More examples

温泉のある旅館で、家族とゆっくり過ごしました。on sen no a ru ryo kan de ka zoku to yu kku ri su go shi ma shi ta

My family and I enjoyed a relaxing stay at an inn with hot springs.

Core concept

Provides overnight lodging in a setting where the accommodation itself expresses traditional Japanese hospitality.

Common phrases

  • 旅館に泊まるryo kan ni to ma ru

    stay at an inn

  • 旅館を予約するryo kan o yo yaku su ru

    book an inn

  • 旅館の部屋ryo kan no heya

    inn room

Similar words

宿yado: A lodging place used for an overnight stay without specifying its size or style.
ホテルhoteru: A commercial lodging establishment with private rooms and organized guest services.
民宿minshuku: A small lodging place, often run by a family, that offers simple rooms and meals.

Definition in Japanese

旅行者を泊め、宿泊に加えて日本式の食事や接客を提供する宿泊施設。ryo kō sha o to me shuku haku ni kuwa e te nihon shiki no shoku ji ya sek kyaku o tei kyō su ru shuku haku shi setsu

Word origin

旅館 (ryokan) combines 旅 (ryo, "travel") with 館 (kan, "building or hall") to mean a lodging place for travelers.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the general word hotel, ryokan usually points to an inn with Japanese-style rooms and hospitality.

Related words

  • 旅館業ryokangyōinn businessnoun

Word lists with this word