Here, at the ryokan, weary travelers found not only a
place to rest but a place where they would be pampered
and their every whim attended to by diligent chamber
maids, ever mindful of the mama-san's watchful eye!

While cicadas sang their evening song, the weariness of the day's
travel melted away as guests sampled culinary delights of the
region, enjoyed the relaxing comradeship of the "ofuro" and
raised their voices and glasses in a bout of song and drink with
fellow travelers who, earlier that day, had been strangers.
Thus refreshed, they could resume their journey to that distant
shrine or temple, hoping to make the next ryokan by nightfall.