Try a Family-Run Bed and Breakfast in Japan

"Minshuku" or Japanese bed and breakfasts have similar origins to bed and breakfasts. Minshuku began with families living by tourist areas providing one or more of their extra rooms as accommodation for tourists. Thus, minshuku were family-run and toilet and bathing facilities would be shared among tourists and family. Overtime, the definition of minshuku have changed and now, there are usually separate toilets and baths for customers. However, minshuku are still mostly family-run. Staying at a minshuku is a cheaper and very "local" alternative to a regular hotel and I highly recommend it! I am actually looking into a few in Izu right now.