My husband and I traveled to Japan with our two young children during a time that is peak travel season for the city of Karatsu - their annual Kunchi festival. For this reason, we ended up a bit further from downtown than usual. How lucky for us that we did! Because of the warm, personal attention of the innkeeper, we truly felt as though we were guests in a Japanese home. Breakfast and dinner are included with your stay. With some advanced warning, the innkeeper accommodated for both my husband's vegetarian only diet and my 4-year-old's picky eating - by cooking them separate meals of multiple dishes! Also, I noticed that the patrons were free to have a beer or sake with their dinner. The inn keeper also gave us rides to and from the train station as needed, so that we wouldn't have to pay for a taxi.
Please understand this is a true native experience. Some Japanese speaking ability would be recommended, as I have the impression that the innkeeper speaks very little English, if any. Japanese-style accommodation means sleeping on futon mattresses on the tatami mat floor. The bath is Japanese style so be sure to wash thoroughly before you get in to soak. The room had access to a washing machine (no dryer), so we quickly washed a load and dried our clothes outside with racks the innkeeper provided us.
Overall, I felt as if I were welcomed into someone's home and treated like an honored guest.
