[Nyororin]

I`ll toss out my opinion that ryokan are generally very nice, and that they are indeed romantic.

I have never been in a ryokan with cockroaches - I`m sure they exist, but that`s certainly not something "normal".

Judging all by one bad experience of a friend who was clearly looking for something very different and who apparently knew little about traditional Japanese accommodations is, to say the least, unfair.

To me, the level of service at a ryokan sort of symbolizes luxury. You don`t have to do anything - they will bring your meal to your room, set the table, then later come and clean it all up... After that they will ready your futons and put them away in the morning.

As for the meals being small - I guess if you`re used to massive portions you could say that... But I find it hard to picture that happening in a ryokan as they tend to be huge multi-course meals.