Adhering to the correct etiquette for shoes and slippers is very important when staying at a Japanese inn. Get it right and the inn keepers will feel confident that you know how to live in a Japanese setting, making for a more relaxed atmosphere all round.
Firstly, leave your shoes at the entrance before stepping up on to the raised wooden living area of the inn. When you get out of your shoes try to step directly on to the raised floor of the house and never linger barefoot in the entrance next to your shoes.
Slippers are usually provided by the inn. Please use them when walking along the corridors of the inn.
When entering a tatami-matted room always leave your slippers outside the room in the corridor. Only ever set foot on a tatami floor in stocking or bare feet.
Toilets in the inn will also have their own exclusive toilet slippers which should be worn only while in the toilet area, leaving the ordinary slippers outside the door.
