We arrived at the Ryokan around 6:00 p.m. and dinner was set for 7:00 p.m. There was a beautiful view of a stream from our room. We all changed into our yakatas and proceeded to a room reserved just for us. We each had our own tray of food. It was a large meal that included cooked fish, chicken, steak, and lots of sashimi. The sake flowed freely, though being the responsible teachers that we are, no one allowed themselves to get out of control. The group joined in some Karaoke singing. Everyone had a great time, and after we proceeded to the Japanese onsen. An onsen is a public bath. The source of our onsen was natural hot springs. The men and women seperated. The women got completely undressed wetted ourselves down, soaped up, rinsed ourselves again, and then got into the VERY HOT hot springs (we and all the Japanese women had no clothes on). It was ok, but it was so hot that it kind of hurt, so I didn't stay in long. Then the Japanese ladies that were there were pointing at me because my skin was all red from the heat of the water. After, we went back to our rooms and slept four to a room. It was traditional Japanese style - on the floor with a mat on tatami mats. My pillow was filled with rice. It was pretty lumpy.