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Is it OK to bring back home the small towel provided in rooms at Ryokan?

Needless to say, we are not allowed to keep bath/face towels provided in hotel rooms, and the same can be said for other accommodations in Japan; B&Bs, Ryokans(Japanese Inns), Minshuku (budget Japanese inns), and Minpaku (private lodging). And now a question. How about the small, thin towel set with a toothbrush? Do you think it is OK to get the towel? Or is it considered an act of stealing?

We can bring home only the small towel packed with a toothbrush.

In guest rooms at Japanese style inns, at Ryokan and Minshuku, a set of toiletries including a toothbrush, a toothpaste, and a small towel is usually provided per guest. They are packaged in a plastic bag or pouch, and you are allowed to take home only that type of small, thin towel, which has inn’s name printed on it.

The small towel in the package is for use when taking a bath. Japanese inns have a large bathing facility“Daiyokujou”, and guests are to bring their towels; the small towel and a bath towel, from room to the bath.

If the small towel comes with a plastic pouch, you can use the pouch to carry the towel to Daiyokujou.(Soap and shampoo are provided in the public bath bath)

How do we know which towel is OK to bring home?

The towel that we are allowed to take home is only the small, thin towels. Bath towels and face towels provided in washrooms are NOT allowed to take them home.

If you are not sure which one is OK, you may ask a staff at the inn with saying;
このタオル、貰ってよろしいでしょうか?
Kono Towel, moratte yoroshii desuka?
(Is it OK to have this towel?)

*Small hand towel is called Tenugui in Japanese, but the English word "Towel" is more used now.

Get the towel and make the best use of it

It seems most Japanese guests don’t take the small towel home as it will be annoying to carry the wet towel during a trip. Or, they just don’t know if it is OK to get it or not. Since this towel will be disposed of after use, it is recommended you get the towel and make the best use of it. The towel actually comes in handy on a trip, say, when you take an Ashiyu foot bath etc. The towel also can be a souvenir from Japan as the Kanji characters printed on the towel look nice. Since Japanese inns offering this give-away type of towel are decreasing in number, don't miss getting it if you have the chance.

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