Nor did Tawaraya although we were touring so maybe that was why we didnt notice. In addition to the footwear to master there is also the tying of the belt on the yukata, which I unfortunately did not do correctly much to the combined amusement and horror of the person caring for us and our room at Tawaraya.

By the way, at Tawaraya we arrived at the entrance, our bags and shoes were whisked away and we were given slippers and taken to our room and shown around. A hot bath was already drawn in the cedar tub in the room. The private tub room was in also part of a shower so you could take a more Western shower before your bath as well as get a rinse after. I would really encourage a stay at a ryokan although like others here I wonder if a few days at a ryokan in Kyoto and a few days at someplace like the Westin Miyako might be better than spending the whole time at a ryokan.