The slippers are used for walking around inside the ryokan, but not on the tatami mats. These slippers were placed in the alcove in the entrance to the room. They were just below the wooden landing that lead to the actual "room" part. The shower was on one side of the landing and the toilet on the other side. There was a door (Shoji - sliding paper door) to the "room" part. The shower and toilet had Western style doors with knobs.