What is the difference between a hotel and a ryokan?
The main difference between a hotel and a ryokan is that ryokan have traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami straw-mat flooring. Another difference is that whereas hotels normally provide breakfast only, ryokan normally serve both dinner and breakfast. Other differences lie in the service level provided at ryokan, where the staff will come and lay out your futon for you, pour you tea, and so on.
