Our ryokan, Japanese inn, was near the centre of town and looked like any hotel from the outside, but inside it was essentially a Japanese house. I made sure my parents took off their shoes before stepping up into the lobby. One of the staff shuffled over to greet us and offer slippers. She looked a bit disgruntled when I refused, but quickly covered that with a smile. I’ve tried to follow this custom, but Japanese slippers are made for smaller feet and I can only last twenty minutes with the back edge digging into my heel bone before I start limping, and it’s not fun to be limping on both legs.