[Matsuzake Inn]
Happen to be a-wanderin’ through Japan with a small wallet and need a place to stay? [Ed: Hey it could happen!]AA Try a Ryokan, a type of Japanese inn that serves ya breakfast in the morning.AA Above you see an example picture, which I’ve heard speak louder than words (and only slightly louder than recycling baths).

A typical ryokan has a relatively large entrance hall, with couches and chairs where guests can sit and talk; a modernized ryokan often has a television in the hall as well. Guest rooms are constructed using traditional Japanese methods: flooring is tatami, and doors are sliding doors. Even if the inn uses hinged doors for security, it usually opens into a small entranceway where guests can take off their shoes before stepping onto the tatami floor, which would be separated by a sliding door. Many ryokan rooms also feature a porch or balcony, also set off with a sliding door.

Ryokan usually also feature a common bathing area, often using the water from a hot spring (onsen) if any are nearby (areas with natural hot springs tend to have large concentrations of inns). Recently, high-end ryokan often provide private bathing facilities as well. Typically ryokan provide guests with a yukata to wear; they might also have games such as table tennis, and possibly geta that visitors can borrow for strolls outside.

Bedding is a futon spread out on the tatami floor. When guests first enter their room, they usually find a table and some supplies for making tea. The table is also often used for meals when guest take them in their room. While guests are out, staff (usually called nakai) will come in, move the table aside, and set out the futon.

If you’re interested in learning more then you should definitely check out the article at Japtard, the cool blog that put us on to this ish in the first place.AA They even have a video short about it.AA Heres a quote from them:

Another short clip from Urbanation, this time about sake and Ryokans. Searching for alternatives for those expensive hotels? You might want to check out the traditional ryokans guest houses.

Even though the family-run mini-hotels are being pushed out of the market by the big chains, there are still enough to be found in the suburbs. In the ryokan, the guest is supposed to relax completely while the staff looks after everything.
The price you pay depends on the day of the week, the prize of your room ranges from 6000- 22.000 yen.

Happy travels.