no offense intended, how uncomfortable are minshuku?
 

We are wondering whether we ought to book mostly minshuku or maybe just one to get the flavor. Two members of our party are over 6 feet tall and worried re sitting on the floor to eat, not to mention sleeping on futons. We don't want to be crabby after 2 weeks of doing this. We don't need to be in fancy hotels at home and are eager to experience Japan, but we are a bit nervous. Any personal accounts of minshuku comfort would be much appreciated.

I haven't stayed in a minshuku but I have stayed in a Tokyo ryokan with a futon on the floor. I am short and I don't think it is a height issue as much as a knee issue. ;-) I found it a bit difficult as the table was low as well. Once I got down, it was hard to get up. I don't think I'd want to sleep on the floor for two weeks though.

I did eat in a couple of restaurants with floor seating - there usually is a cushion. I didn't feel the Japanese minded when I couldn't really sit the way they usually do as I have knee issues.

I'm over six feet tall, and have stayed at many versions of Japanese inns. Sleeping on futon is not affected by your height--in fact, it affords more length than a conventional bed. We have slept exclusively on futon for months at a time while living in Japan. Some minshuku will have you sitting at a table to eat, but foreigners are tolerantly accommodated in various ways when they sit on tamami: you can put your legs straight out in front (sometimes while sitting in a molded chair with seat and back but no legs), or you can put your legs off to one side, rather than sitting on your heels. You can also sit cross-legged. Finding a comfortable position, or learning to change position is the key. You adjust, and it's worth doing so. Being willing to try will score you points. As Mara says, a cushion is almost always provided.

Personally, I would just book one or two to "get the flavor" as you say. It will be worthwhile to try this out, but maybe you'll need some breaks at a more tradional hotel during the two weeks.

Let me be more precise: we would be in minshuku for 6 nights out of two weeks. Thanks for the replies so far. Just to expand my question slightly, I am having a hard time understanding whether the minshuku are generally an aesthetic experience as well as a gymnastic one. ;-) I see that ryokans tend to have lovely settings, gardens, and a beautiful Japanese atmosphere. Do minshuku? We definitely seek that. We are willing to sit/sleep on the floor quite a bit for that.

I've stayed at a few minshuku. I am 6'3" and don't consider it to be a gymnastic experience. You can expect it to not be an aesthetic experience like a nice traditional ryokan.

At Sosuke in Takayama, meals were at tables. At the Moto-Hakone Guest House there were no meals. In both cases the rooms were bare bones. Pretty much just a futon and blanket in a room. Bathrooms down the hall.

In the Hakone place I stayed on the 2nd floor. There was a toilet up there. It was a standup-only for me - the seat was so close to the doorway I would not have been able to close it while seated. Downstairs was the shared Japanese bathtub (short but deep) and a shower.

The Koemon minshuku in Shirakawago was similar, but different in several ways. I'll explain later.

Watch your head! Many of older minshuku/ryokans have low overhead door ways. If you have those airline slippers, take them. Most minshuku/ryokans don't have large westerner size slippers. You need to wear slippers to go inside(but take off on tatami in the room) and also change again in the toilet or your feet will get cold on tiles. If not, wear thick socks, though not appreciated. You might also take a wash cloth & a bath towel, in case your minshuku doesn't provide.

Ryokans are starting to look like a better idea...Thanks to all!

The Koemon minshuku is one of the gassho zukuri style farmhouses in Shirakawago. I highly recommend visiting S-go and staying in one of those places. I can tell you more about it if S-go is on your itin. ?

We are debating between two itineraries, one with and one without. Both have their good aspects...

I was the only guest at Koemon at the beginning of January a couple of years ago. There was "only" about 4 feet or so of snow on the ground but more was coming.

Thankfully, they had knee-high snow boots for guests to wear. They were essential in the snow and slush. They actually had a pair to easily fit me (so US size 12 or 13).

The room was bare, maybe a small table, except for the tatami mats, futons, and pillows. And a space heater. The bathroom was down the hall.

The building has a ton of character and a history of its own. I believe that they have irori-cooked dinners in the farmhouse normally. It would be great to go there with a group. The owner, his wife, their daughter, and I went out for dinner and for a soak in an onsen. They are wonderful people and I enjoyed the visit. He spoke English fairly well, daughter spoke English well, mother none at all though we did manage to communicate some.

I don't think I would really want to go there during the heat of summer.

There is a review of the place over at frommers.

Interesting! Thanks for posting.