A yukata (浴衣) is waiting for you in your room the moment you check in. Wearing it around the ryokan after a soak — or strolling the onsen town streets in it — is one of the defining images of a ryokan trip. Putting one on is simple, but there's exactly one rule you can't get wrong.
The one hard rule: wrap the yukata left side over right. The reverse — right over left — is reserved for dressing the deceased at funerals, so it's strictly off-limits.
How to Put It On
- 1Put the yukata on and even out the length of both collars.
- 2Wrap the right side around your body first, then fold the left side over it. (In a mirror, the overlap should form a "y" shape — left on top.)
- 3Adjust the hem so it falls around ankle length.
- 4Wrap the obi (sash) twice around your waist, just below the navel, and tie it in front or to the side.
- 5Smooth out any remaining wrinkles and you're done.
💡 Forgot which side goes where? Slip your right hand into the front opening — if it goes in easily, you've got it right (left side on top).
Tying the Obi
- Men typically tie it low, around the hips; women tend to tie it higher, at the natural waist.
- A simple bow or a side knot both work fine — comfort and keeping it from slipping matter far more than formal technique.
Wearing Geta and Zori
- Slip on the geta (wooden clogs) or zori (sandals) left by the entrance or in your room to get around the ryokan and the onsen town.
- Slide the strap between your big toe and second toe, and keep it slightly loose rather than snug — it's more comfortable that way.
- The clacking sound and the raised sole feel odd at first, but walking slowly, you'll get the hang of it fast.
Strolling in a Yukata, and Layering for Cold Weather
- In an onsen town, walking around in a yukata is completely normal — feel free to wear it out to the shopping streets or a foot bath beyond the ryokan grounds.
- When it's chilly, layer a tanzen (丹前) or haori (羽織) jacket over the yukata — these are usually provided in your room as well.
- Note that jinbei (甚平) and samue (作務衣) are two-piece loungewear, different from a yukata — some ryokan provide these instead.
In short, just remember "left over right" and you're set. Walking an onsen town in geta is often the moment travelers remember longest from a ryokan stay.
Where can you experience this?
Book directly at Japan's best onsen towns with Ryokanear.