I wanted my adult son to experience a Japanese ryokan. He had stayed in some when we lived in Japan but he had been too young to remember them. The Nikko Hoshi no Yado is modern in traditional style. It's location is perfect: next to the venerable Kanaya Hotel and only 150 metres from the Shinkyo Bridge and the entrance to Nikko's temple and shrines. We rang for the hotel shuttle from Tobu Nikko station and were taken back there the next day - a 5-minute journey. The hot baths were good, though I would have preferred hotter water (not something you normally have to ask for in Japan!). The dinner gave us a good introduction to some of the local cooking. Breakfast was not very appetising and far too salty. The staff were friendly and helpful. No-one could speak English but sign language and gestures were satisfactory substitutes. However, I didn't think it was quite worth Yen 33,000 for two people. more