29Accommodations along the trail are mostly Japanese style with tatami mat flooring in the guest rooms and dining area. These rooms are versatile with a low table moved to the side to lay down futon mattress to sleep. In the hot spring areas, there is a larger range of standards, from small family run minshuku guesthouses to larger traditional inns. Accommodations are limited in the smaller areas. Reservations are highly recommended as walking up to lodgings is not custom. NOTE: Reservations can be made online at the Kumano Travel community reservation system. LINKwww.kumano-travel.com A trek along the Kumano Kodo is a culinary journey. Meals at the guesthouse and inns are Japanese style. Ingredients vary from the coastline to mountain side often featuring fresh, local ingredients. Rice is a staple and eaten at most meals. Open your mind (and mouths!) to try these new and delicious foods. HINT: Practice with chopsticks before you come. Yukata are cotton gowns to wear in and around a Japanese style accommodation. They are also used as pajamas. Fold the left side over the right and tie the belt around your waist. HINT: Wearing something underneath can save yourself from an embarrassing moment if you are not used to sitting down with a gown on!Bedding in the Japanese style guesthouses are futon mattresses laid onto the tatami mat flooring. HINT: Japanese pillows can sometimes be hard, so if you need a soft pillow consider bringing along an inflatable pillow to make your sleep more comfortable.Tatami are straw mats used as flooring in traditional Japanese rooms. There are a few general rules to follow in a tatami room.●Do not wear slippers on the tatami. ●Keep the tatami dry, for example do not leave a wet towel or rain soaked gear on the floor. ●Avoid dragging tables or heavy luggage over the tatami, as this may tear the surface.Staying at traditional Japanese accommodations keeps you busy with your footwear. Basically there are three sets of footwear:Japanese baths are the ultimate place to relax and wind down after a day's walk. Hot springs are common in the area and baths featuring these mineral waters are called onsen. The very essence of the bathing routine is as below for both hot spring and communal baths.Be observant. Watch (But don't stare!) the people around you so that you know what is going on. Most places follow these general guidelines but some do differ slightly. The main thing is to remember to keep the bath water separate from the washing water, and be polite and courteous to other bathers. NOTE: For a full guide to the Japanese bath visit the following page online. LINKwww.tb-kumano.jp/en/onsen/how-to-take-a-japanese-bath/① Your outdoor shoes, which are left at the door; ② your indoor slippers, which you wear around the facility (not on the tatami through!);③ and toilet slippers, which are only for use in the toilet area.① Take off clothes in change room② Rinse or wash body③ Soak in bath④ Relax and enjoy!MealsBedding (Futons)YukataTatamiSlippersBaths (Onsen)How to BatheAccommodations
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