When organising our 12-day trip to Japan, the group leader's guiding principles were "cheap and cheerful" and "reasonably authentic Japanese experience". We stayed in the Homeikan for 7 nights at the end of January 2011. I hadn't been to Japan before and didn't know what to expect at all. The staff at the Homeikan were very pleasant, formal and gracious (one of the managers took a shine to my son and gave him a present when we were leaving). I am glad I had the experience of staying in this inn. It was a convenient base from which to go sight-seeing, but not a place for rest and relaxation.

We stayed only one night at the homeikan as the price is a bit higher than most hostel but we think the place worth the money. The feeling you have when you are welcome in this place is great, they take good care of customer and they remember you well. The room we had was big and really nice. You feel like traveling time to geisha time. We were scared of the sleeping mat on tatamis but they are really comfortable. We liked the fact that you can go to the public bath or you can choose to take the family bath and be alone. The outside pound with fish is well presented and give a charm to the place.

Stayed for one night Morikawabekkan Homeikan Tokyo at - truly disappointing and poor value. Was recommended in the Times but clearly not this branch! Hard to find and a damn long walk from the station if you are carrying a lot of bags.
This is like a back-packers hostel not an hotel. Staff were friendly and polite but the place seemed like some sort of institution- maybe an old school or something. The toilets were scruffy, paint almost entirely peeled off the ceiling, smelly urinal. Room was tired and the place was altogether run down.Rows of communal basins line the corridors - weren't sure if they were for personal washing or laundry. Bath/shower facilities were old and scruffy. It may have been ok in its hey day but its well past its best. Cost £105 for one night - J Hoppers hostel was a £70 - cleaner, newer facilities (basins, loos, futons etc) and an altogether better experience. Avoid this place if you are at all fussy.

We stayed here for one night at the end of our trip in Japan. We arrived late in the evening at the Honkan Ryokan on the off chance they had a space. They didn't but called Morikawa and had a room made up for us and took us by car there. When we arrived the entrance was lovely, really tranquil and felt very authentic. We were shown to our room and given a tour down to the Japanese bathrooms.
It is about a 15-20min walk to the subway station which we did in the rain and didn't mind at all!
This really is a lovely Ryokan with helpful, friendly staff. We enjoyed our one night stay here and would recommend for anyone wanting a tranquil and authentic Japanese experience.