has anyone ever tried a ryokan (traditional japanese guesthouses)? If so, what were your experiences there like? Is it worth a try?

Absolutely brilliant, hospitality will be better if you speak a little Japanese. If you want to save a few dollars explain you don't need the meal, this can save you a lot. The meals are great but I usually like to try local restaurants as well. What I usually do is book for 2 nights explain I will be arriving a little late (7.30pm) so please discard my meal for the first night. On the second night I eat at the ryokan.

My father-in-law stays at them all the time for his work. Ironically I asked him this same question last week. His reply was that they are all different some are amazing some are terrible. It just all depends some are very hospital but have very bad food... Like anything there are great ones and bad ones do some homework and ask around for good ryokans where you will be traveling.

I tried a ryokan in Kumamoto a few months back. The staff was great, as long as you could speak a little Japanese. The facilities were alright, though the experience was more about lounging in the onsen. Overall, I would recommend going

Yeah, its probably a matter of which ryokan you stay at. Do some research and find some recommended ones. And I highly recommend paying extra for the food, its usually a very traditional japanese meal that's quite delicious and difficult to find elsewhere. If you're paying that much to stay at a ryokan, you might as well spring for food too!