Relatively inexpensive Japanese guest-houses, usually run by a family, often with optional meals.

Minshuku represent much better value to the budget traveller than the next step up the accomodation food chain, the ryokan.

Information (at time of writing, Y2K) can be obtained from the Japan Minshuku Centre,
on (tel) 03-3216-6556 or 2-10-1 Yurakucho, Tokyo.