A private room with a bath is optional and commonly not available in any of the rooms at the inn. The method of bathing in a large common bath area is the same as in a Japanese home. The tub or pool of hot water is for soaking only. You wash your body and hair outside of the tub so as not to dirty the bath water. Bath soaps, oils, or towels are not used in the tub or pool.
Most inns have a bath room each for men and women.
In a small inn with only one bath area, each person makes sure that the room is not occupied before using it. Breakfast and dinner are included in the cost of your stay at a Ryokan . The meals are served in your room or sometimes in a common dining room. The foods are traditional Japanese items and are usually served without looking at a menu. There are many different dishes served but there is always rice, Japanese pickles, and soup - even for breakfast.