hnl

I will be taking my 1st trip to Japan in April. I will spend the 1st 3 nights in Tokyo, then 6 nights in Kyoto. My plan was to leave Kyoto on the morning of the 27th to fly out of Narita that night. Because it is Sunday and the start if Golden week, I am concerned that the train will be booked. Any thoughts on whether I should spend my last night in Tokyo instead.

kja

Personally, I prefer to be in the city of my departure flight in advance of a flight. I'm not willing to pay the extra cost in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. Can you switch your time in Tokyo to the end of your trip so you don't have an extra change of hotels?

BTW, you might ask the editors to add a "Japan" tag to this thread -- click on the triangle to the upper right marked "Report Abuse" and state your request. (You can use that button to contact the editors, even if you aren't reporting abuse!)

I trust you have seen japan-guide.com....

hnl

I have refundable hotel bookings so would be able to change my plans. I do feel uneasy about not being in the city the day of departure. Thanks for advice, will look into changing things around and will tag to Japan forum. BTW, japanguide has been my new best friend!

Kavey

As is so often the case, I agree with kja.

I'd split your Tokyo nights to beginning and end, and put the Kyoto ones in the middle.

hnl

I am working in it but hotels getting more difficult to find in Kyoto. Is anyone familiar with Hotel Monterey Kyoto?

Kavey

Have you checked booking.com?
I booked most of my last trip through them.
Also used Agoda.com for the previous trip (but switched to Booking.com this time as they don't require payment up front and most places offer free cancellation up to 3 days before arrival.

hnl

I found a great deal last night for the remainder of my Kyoto stay. Sometimes it worthwhile looking for deals at 2:30 in the morning

kja

BTW, there's an odori in Kyoto during April -- do consider going!
http://www.kyoto.travel/miyako_odori_wo.html