KYOTO GARDEN HOTEL
Jan 13th, 2006, 02:00 PM
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I have stayed at Mitsui Kyoto Garden Hotel in Shijo (I think, it was Shijo) in March last year. Is that what you are looking for info about? If so, I can tell you more but now I go to bed and will be away from tomorrow early am till Sunday night so I will be able to reply probably on Monday. If you are not sure whether these are the same hotel, you can post the address of yours here so I can determine.
Jan 13th, 2006, 06:15 PM
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Kappa -
Yours seems to be different - I found a website for it all in Japanese. Mine is on Muromachi dori - Oike Minamiiru, Nakagyo-ku and the web address is kyoto-gardenhotel.co.jp. It is not my first choice but I am finding a lot of hotels have no availability for my dates so I have it as a fall back if I don't find something I like better. I would rather stay at the Toyoko Inn - there are two in good locations - but you can only book 60 days in advance on the English website so it could be sold out.
Thanks,
Mara
Yours seems to be different - I found a website for it all in Japanese. Mine is on Muromachi dori - Oike Minamiiru, Nakagyo-ku and the web address is kyoto-gardenhotel.co.jp. It is not my first choice but I am finding a lot of hotels have no availability for my dates so I have it as a fall back if I don't find something I like better. I would rather stay at the Toyoko Inn - there are two in good locations - but you can only book 60 days in advance on the English website so it could be sold out.
Thanks,
Mara
Jan 15th, 2006, 03:03 PM
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> Mine is on Muromachi dori - Oike Minamiiru, Nakagyo-ku ...
Mara, yes, definitely not the same hotel. Sorry I cannot be of help.
Toyoko Inn is always one of the hotels I consider (esp.the one in Shijo) although I have not stayed at any of them in Kyoto yet. That's a "business" hotel (meaning simple, inepensive and small rooms) chain but some are so well located, most offers free breakfast, free phone calls (inside Kyoto?) and free internet that make them even more attracive. Last year I chose Mitsui Garden over Toyoko Inn Shijo (both had availability) because of relaxing public bath with free electric massage chairs besides usual small ensuite bathroom. Maybe this time I will give Toyoko Inn a try when I will be in Kyoto by the end of Feb/beginning of March.
Good luck with your hotel hunting!
Mara, yes, definitely not the same hotel. Sorry I cannot be of help.
Toyoko Inn is always one of the hotels I consider (esp.the one in Shijo) although I have not stayed at any of them in Kyoto yet. That's a "business" hotel (meaning simple, inepensive and small rooms) chain but some are so well located, most offers free breakfast, free phone calls (inside Kyoto?) and free internet that make them even more attracive. Last year I chose Mitsui Garden over Toyoko Inn Shijo (both had availability) because of relaxing public bath with free electric massage chairs besides usual small ensuite bathroom. Maybe this time I will give Toyoko Inn a try when I will be in Kyoto by the end of Feb/beginning of March.
Good luck with your hotel hunting!
Jan 15th, 2006, 04:01 PM
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Thanks a lot, kappa, anyway. You are going the end of February - this February? I don't know about those dates but my dates - the very end of March and beginning of April - have not much availability.
I actually did a google translation of the Mitsui Garden Hotel web site, found a fax number - those are usually in numerals even on a Japanese page - and faxed them. They sent me a nice email back but have no rooms for my dates.
I would be happy to hear where you end up even though it will be too late for my trip this year.
Mara
I actually did a google translation of the Mitsui Garden Hotel web site, found a fax number - those are usually in numerals even on a Japanese page - and faxed them. They sent me a nice email back but have no rooms for my dates.
I would be happy to hear where you end up even though it will be too late for my trip this year.
Mara
Jan 15th, 2006, 04:23 PM
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Mara,
I checked the Mitsui Garden Hotel website online reservations for you, and the hotel is available for all room sizes through March 24. Rates have not been loaded yet for March 25 onwards, so you would not be able to make a reservation. Your fax inquiry would have reflectected the same...you can not make a reservation yet for that time period. Wait a bit and check back. The room availability page is http://www.gardenhotels.co.jp/kyoto/yoyaku.html and if you click on the arrow on the top right of the calendar you get the next 2 weeks calendar.
Weekends in Kyoto are the toughest times to get rooms. It is often easier to get rooms closer to the stay date, as huge blocks of rooms are reserved by travel agencies for bus tours, and when they aren't needed, rooms are released betwen 2 weeks ahead and the day before.
The Toyoko hotels are also well priced, and the newer ones are great deals. http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
APA group hotels are also a big, good deal chain, but English online priceing is often higher than for the same room using the Japanese language website. Online booking in Japanese offers the best rates. They will not match online rates by telephone or fax.
Tokyu hotels are also good. Same deal as APA though, with online reservations in Japanese being the best rates, and online in English being the highest. They will also not match online rates by phone or fax.
An alternative to wading through a lot of Japanese might be to contact a travel agent like JTB and have them book for you. The last week in March and the first week in April is a big travel time as it is school vacation throughout the country. The school year ends in March and the new school year starts in April.
I checked the Mitsui Garden Hotel website online reservations for you, and the hotel is available for all room sizes through March 24. Rates have not been loaded yet for March 25 onwards, so you would not be able to make a reservation. Your fax inquiry would have reflectected the same...you can not make a reservation yet for that time period. Wait a bit and check back. The room availability page is http://www.gardenhotels.co.jp/kyoto/yoyaku.html and if you click on the arrow on the top right of the calendar you get the next 2 weeks calendar.
Weekends in Kyoto are the toughest times to get rooms. It is often easier to get rooms closer to the stay date, as huge blocks of rooms are reserved by travel agencies for bus tours, and when they aren't needed, rooms are released betwen 2 weeks ahead and the day before.
The Toyoko hotels are also well priced, and the newer ones are great deals. http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
APA group hotels are also a big, good deal chain, but English online priceing is often higher than for the same room using the Japanese language website. Online booking in Japanese offers the best rates. They will not match online rates by telephone or fax.
Tokyu hotels are also good. Same deal as APA though, with online reservations in Japanese being the best rates, and online in English being the highest. They will also not match online rates by phone or fax.
An alternative to wading through a lot of Japanese might be to contact a travel agent like JTB and have them book for you. The last week in March and the first week in April is a big travel time as it is school vacation throughout the country. The school year ends in March and the new school year starts in April.
Jan 15th, 2006, 04:27 PM
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Ok, I will remember to post about my hotel exprience this time. Yes, that will be this Feb/Mar. Feb/Mar can be very difficult time to find hotels of low-mid prices, especially in Kyoyo because of all those high/junior high school children classes visiting the city as the-end-of-school-term travel. They are coming from all over Japan. I would not want to be there (for my selfish reason) at the same time with those school trips if I had a choice but that's when I can find time to take 3-week holidays.
Jan 15th, 2006, 06:23 PM
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Thank you for checking the Matsui Garden website, KimJapan.
But this is what the email they sent me says: "We appreciate your fax of 15 Jan. It's a very good season for sightseeing in Kyoto,We are afraid we have no room available on the date you asked." But I will go again to the site you gave in a couple of days to see if they have my days loaded.
Well, I do have three reservations but they are not my first choice or second or third for that matter but I will keep them for the time being until the rest of my emails get answered.
Plus I knew the Toyoko website will not accept a reservation until exactly 60 days before and even then they can be sold out as those who belong to their club can reserve 90 days in advance.
I looked at JTB's website and they only show 3 hotels for Kyoto for some reason and they are not in my budget.
Thanks so much and I will try some of the others you mentioned KJ! Oh, are the school holidays the whole first week of April???
But this is what the email they sent me says: "We appreciate your fax of 15 Jan. It's a very good season for sightseeing in Kyoto,We are afraid we have no room available on the date you asked." But I will go again to the site you gave in a couple of days to see if they have my days loaded.
Well, I do have three reservations but they are not my first choice or second or third for that matter but I will keep them for the time being until the rest of my emails get answered.
Plus I knew the Toyoko website will not accept a reservation until exactly 60 days before and even then they can be sold out as those who belong to their club can reserve 90 days in advance.
I looked at JTB's website and they only show 3 hotels for Kyoto for some reason and they are not in my budget.
Thanks so much and I will try some of the others you mentioned KJ! Oh, are the school holidays the whole first week of April???
Jan 15th, 2006, 06:24 PM
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Wondering about a travel agent that I can use to help with accommodations and transportation for our trip - end of March/beginning of April. Didn't know we'd be competing with traveling Japanese families right then!
Jan 15th, 2006, 07:38 PM
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Transportation is no problem at all...you can always ride the trains, but you can't always get reserved seats. Even if the seat reservations are sold out, you can still go on the same traiin, just in the non-reserved cars. You will line up before boarding, sometimes as much as an hour before, and hope for the best. If there are no available seats, standing in the car is fine, as is sitting between cars on the floor. If you don't mind smoking, smoking reserved seats sell out last, and the smoking non-reserved cars are emptier.
For hotels, any travel agency will be able to help you in Japan. You could try any of the agentcies located in the stations and airports, department stores, shopping streets. JTB is one of the biggest, and they block rooms at lots of hotels.
Working in your favor is the fact that many people don't actually plan to go somewhere until close to the time they go. And, many people make bookings which they later cancel. Agencies block rooms that they end up not needing and releasing them.
Outside of Japan, I would guess JTB would be your best bet. Online may show only 3 hotels, but a phone call to them with your requirements might be more useful.
I do notice that you are both talking about business hotel class accommodation...in which case you really shouldn't worry. There are so many business hotels, and most don't book up beforehand, and having all of them sell out in a city happens only on pretty rare occasions and late at night. You could leave it to arrival in your first hotel in Japan then find an agent and do all of your reservations that way (you will have to prepay all hotels and will receive vouchers), or you could wing and have the tourist information office help you, or in places where there is no tourist info office, the agency in or near the train station.
School starts this April 7th in Kanazawa public schools. Private schools and other systems may vary by a few days on either side. The beginning of the school year, first of second week, is also popular for class excursions - for bonding. You will see lots of uniformed students at many tourist sites.
About having no availability at the Kyoto Garden...was it for Friday or Saturday nights? Those nights appear to be sold out often...but if it's after March 24th it's just not visible on their website with no rates loaded.
For hotels, any travel agency will be able to help you in Japan. You could try any of the agentcies located in the stations and airports, department stores, shopping streets. JTB is one of the biggest, and they block rooms at lots of hotels.
Working in your favor is the fact that many people don't actually plan to go somewhere until close to the time they go. And, many people make bookings which they later cancel. Agencies block rooms that they end up not needing and releasing them.
Outside of Japan, I would guess JTB would be your best bet. Online may show only 3 hotels, but a phone call to them with your requirements might be more useful.
I do notice that you are both talking about business hotel class accommodation...in which case you really shouldn't worry. There are so many business hotels, and most don't book up beforehand, and having all of them sell out in a city happens only on pretty rare occasions and late at night. You could leave it to arrival in your first hotel in Japan then find an agent and do all of your reservations that way (you will have to prepay all hotels and will receive vouchers), or you could wing and have the tourist information office help you, or in places where there is no tourist info office, the agency in or near the train station.
School starts this April 7th in Kanazawa public schools. Private schools and other systems may vary by a few days on either side. The beginning of the school year, first of second week, is also popular for class excursions - for bonding. You will see lots of uniformed students at many tourist sites.
About having no availability at the Kyoto Garden...was it for Friday or Saturday nights? Those nights appear to be sold out often...but if it's after March 24th it's just not visible on their website with no rates loaded.
Jan 15th, 2006, 08:25 PM
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Last year I was planning to go about two weeks later - mid April - and I made my first hotel reservations in December which I cancelled when I got the Toyoko Inn reservation. Unfortunately the whole trip got cancelled.
I did look at that APA site and can see the prices are much cheaper on the Japanese site. Maybe by next year I'll be able to use the Japanese page!! I think I will check some hotels when the time gets closer but I will be making my decision by the end of the month when I can see if I am able to book the Toyoko Inn unless I decide I like something else more
Thanks again!
As far as all the school kids, when I went to Kamakura as a daytrip from Toyko in '04, the large temples were crowded but when I went to some of the smaller ones, I was the only visitor so I guess I won't worry about crowds in Kyoto. There's no point!
I did look at that APA site and can see the prices are much cheaper on the Japanese site. Maybe by next year I'll be able to use the Japanese page!! I think I will check some hotels when the time gets closer but I will be making my decision by the end of the month when I can see if I am able to book the Toyoko Inn unless I decide I like something else more
Thanks again!
As far as all the school kids, when I went to Kamakura as a daytrip from Toyko in '04, the large temples were crowded but when I went to some of the smaller ones, I was the only visitor so I guess I won't worry about crowds in Kyoto. There's no point!
Jan 27th, 2006, 07:13 AM
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Mara, I don't know if you will read this but I have just booked Mitsui Garden Hotel Shijo for 6 nights end of Feb to beginning of Mar. Actually I first booked Toyoko-Inn Shijo (very central of Kyoto) for 6500 yen per nights but then I thought again and found availability at Mitsu Garden without problem. I think the time is a bit earlier than the busy season. Also I'm very happy with the price, average 4600yen per night that is 40 % lower than what I paid last year! I took Mitsui Garden for the large public bath (much more relaxing than the tiny bath room/tub in the room) with free electric massage chairs + fresh mountain mineral water offered next to the public bath. The room will be a typical tiny "business hotel" one but that's fine. I will be out most of the time exploring Kyoto and the surrounding areas.
Jan 27th, 2006, 07:45 AM
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kappa, have a great time! Just think, with all the money you save on the hotel, you can splurge on the nama-yatsuhashi. The seasonal sakura and peach nama-yatsuhashi that they make in Kyoto in March are both so good.
Jan 27th, 2006, 12:25 PM
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emd, thanks for kind wishes! I will leave Japan on 11th of March. Will I be missing you and your daughter by a month or so?
> with all the money you save on the hotel, you can splurge on ...
Exactly my thought, except, I'm not sure about nama-yatsuhashi. I can be a picky eater ;-) I'm sure I will have at least one or two all tofu dinner. Also my friends in Tokyo are planning to take me to Kawazu-Imaihama area in Izu Peninsula before or after my trip to Kyoto. The area is known for Kawazu-sakura that blooms much earlier than normal cherry blossom, between mid-Feb to mid March. My friends are, however, having a hard time reserving a hotel. They are free only weekends but hotels seem to be pretty much booked up due to Kawazu-sakura festival there then. I hope it will work out.
> with all the money you save on the hotel, you can splurge on ...
Exactly my thought, except, I'm not sure about nama-yatsuhashi. I can be a picky eater ;-) I'm sure I will have at least one or two all tofu dinner. Also my friends in Tokyo are planning to take me to Kawazu-Imaihama area in Izu Peninsula before or after my trip to Kyoto. The area is known for Kawazu-sakura that blooms much earlier than normal cherry blossom, between mid-Feb to mid March. My friends are, however, having a hard time reserving a hotel. They are free only weekends but hotels seem to be pretty much booked up due to Kawazu-sakura festival there then. I hope it will work out.
Jan 27th, 2006, 12:55 PM
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Hi Kappa
Just as I was going to reply earlier, the site seemed to go down. Anyway, I have almost definitely decided on a hotel on Kawaramachi-dori not far from where emd and daughter are staying.
But I still might try to reserve at the Toyoko Inn as a backup in a couple of days when I can do the 60 day in advance.
I looked at the Mitsui Garden site and still don't see my first week of April dates.
Have a great trip!!
emd - I ate at a great tofu restaurant in Tokyo but am not sure if it is 100% veggie. Are you interested in the info?
Just as I was going to reply earlier, the site seemed to go down. Anyway, I have almost definitely decided on a hotel on Kawaramachi-dori not far from where emd and daughter are staying.
But I still might try to reserve at the Toyoko Inn as a backup in a couple of days when I can do the 60 day in advance.
I looked at the Mitsui Garden site and still don't see my first week of April dates.
Have a great trip!!
emd - I ate at a great tofu restaurant in Tokyo but am not sure if it is 100% veggie. Are you interested in the info?
Jan 27th, 2006, 04:07 PM
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Sasa-no-yuki is the name of the tofu restaurant - evidently the most famous in Tokyo- it is not far from the Uguisudani Station which is one stop north of Ueno on the Yamanote line. The street address is 2-15-10, Negishi, Taito-ku. It is hard to find particularly as the sign is in Japanese but it was great.
Jan 27th, 2006, 07:44 PM
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Mara: Just checking this post and I see your very good info on tofu. Thank you. May I ask, how did you find the Japanese for the sign recognition? Online? (Or perhaps you didn't have the restaurant sign in Japanese, and just struggled along and somehow found it?)
And how much was your dinner there? Was the menu in English or just Japanese? I've been taking a Japanese travel class but I am not sure I can do a whole menu in Japanese, considering my daughter is vegetarian (no meat or seafood - although she is willing to do fish broth for noodle soup and other uses on the trip, thank goodness).
As you can see, i am very interested in this - we are spending some time around Ueno and I'd like to have a dinner there.
Wow, thanks for bringing back this old 2002 post, Mara! I don't have to worry abolut hijacking someone's thread - we are all doing free association here and helping each other out w/upcoming trips.
And how much was your dinner there? Was the menu in English or just Japanese? I've been taking a Japanese travel class but I am not sure I can do a whole menu in Japanese, considering my daughter is vegetarian (no meat or seafood - although she is willing to do fish broth for noodle soup and other uses on the trip, thank goodness).
As you can see, i am very interested in this - we are spending some time around Ueno and I'd like to have a dinner there.
Wow, thanks for bringing back this old 2002 post, Mara! I don't have to worry abolut hijacking someone's thread - we are all doing free association here and helping each other out w/upcoming trips.
