Originally Posted by
benihana320
After reading over your initial post from years ago, I went with a ryokan in Yugawara called Uoshizu for my trip that ended yesterday. I didn't think I had picked a "cheap" place given that it was ~¥30,000, but the quality of service was lacking and it seemed a little run-down even if the food wasn't too bad. For tourists looking to get an authentic ryokan experience in a well kept building with excellent service, what is the price floor these days?
30,000 JPY is a little over $200 at the moment. That's far less than any Courtyard by Marriott in Japan, yet includes half board with kaiseki meals. Not sure you can expect awesomeness at that price for 2 people.
Floor wise, it depends on location and pedigree. For instance, Minamikan (in Shimane Prefecture) is known for great value, yet still goes for 30,000 yen per person per night in a standard room, half board. Asan Kotonami in Kagawa (Shikoku) is 40,000 yen; ditto for Ryugon in Niigata. Yoyokaku in Saga Prefecture is 55,000 yen. Hakone Suishoen goes for 60,000, but that partly has to do with the Hakone price inflation due to its proximity to Tokyo.