The Japanese ryokan experience is a must-try for those wishing to immerse themselves in Japanese culture, tradition, and food!
If you’re lucky enough to stay at a traditional Japanese inn known as a ryokan, then be sure to go for the “breakfast included” option; trust me, it’s more than a slice of butter toast! Japanese ryokan breakfasts are among the tastiest, most nutritious, and above all, visually pleasing breakfasts I’ve had in my entire life, and while I’ll be telling you why in this article, it’s fair to say the pictures speak a thousand words here!
Basic Ryokan Breakfast
First off is the most basic type of ryokan breakfast you’ll typically find at even the low-budget establishments. These spreads feature a diverse mix of nutritious foods like grilled salmon, pickled vegetables, seaweed, miso soup, steamed rice, tofu, egg, and more! Starting your day with this kind of variety of healthy food is a game-changer, with far more energizing benefits than a bowl of cereal. You will also typically have unlimited access to hot tea, juices, and milk as needed.
Buffet-Style Ryokan Breakfast
Usually at a higher price point, you’ll find ryokan hotels that offer a buffet-style breakfast option. Here, you can pick and choose unique combinations to enjoy more of the items you like and less of the “acquired taste” foods that may not tickle your fancy. At this particular hotel near Mt. Fuji, the breakfast buffet included delightful delicacies such as marinated mushrooms, grilled fish tail, and mini melonpans. They also served up some classic Japanese-style curry, which was a surprisingly delicious meal to have for breakfast, particularly on a cold autumn morning.
Upper-Class Ryokan Breakfast Set
If you want to lift up your ryokan game, I’d suggest booking a stay at Shuhoukaku Kogetsu for unbeatable views of Mt. Fuji and, dare I say, unbeatable Ryokan breakfasts (at a reasonable price that is). Instead of the usual low-cost Japanese traditional breakfast of miso soup and rice, this establishment brings on the goods with fresh salmon sashimi, beautifully sliced tamago (Japanese egg omelet) and even a special delicacy known as basashi (horse sashimi!). The presentation and visual aesthetics are definitely kicked up a notch at this hotel, and you can also enjoy ordering unlimited premium tempura prawn and vegetables too.
Intercontinental Ryokan Breakfast
If you’re not a fan of Japanese food (God forbid!), then rest assured, many modern ryokans today offer intercontinental breakfasts to appease all preferences. This would include things like European baked breads, Western-style omelets, sausages, and bacon. I must say, the Japanese still manage to make a standard intercontinental breakfast look absolutely gourmet and mouthwatering. The presentation, colors, and attention to detail make the ordinary extraordinary, and that’s the type of dedication you can expect at these traditional Japanese inns!
Luxury Ryokan Breakfast
This last one is for the wealthy (or if you’ve done a fair bit of saving). The luxury ryokan breakfast set is the top of the range, Michelin Star level of gourmet Japanese dining that simply cannot be surpassed in quality, presentation, and ingredients. What you’ll find with these spreads is a spectrum of colorful dishes featuring iconic Japanese foods like sashimi, pickled vegetables, soups, meats, and more. However, the range is so vast and the dishes so peculiar that I could not even name each dish you see in the photo above, but do ask the chef to clear things up if you’re curious! This level of elite ryokan breakfasts can be found at luxury hotels such as SOWAKA in Gion, Kyoto.
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!