IsisMnroe

Re: Kyoto one day stopover help please

We arrive at Osaka/Kansai airport at 2:55 p.m. and leave the next day at 6:55 p.m.
Is this airport KIX?

I've done a search on the Board.
Do we take the Haruku train to Kyoto?
Do we buy round trip tickets from any Midorino Madoguchi, recognized by a green sign of a reclining seat? Is the Midorino Madoguchi located at the airport? Is the JR office located at the airport? Is the cost approximately $70 round trip?

We would like to stay in a Ryokan about $100 or less. Is a Roykan located near the train station better than staying downtown near the shops and entertainment area?

I assume UA will transfer our luggage to the next day flight. We will only small carry on bags when we go to Kyoto.

What type of Kyoto itinerary can we fit into this short period of time? I definitely want to go to the downtown shopping entertainment area but also want to see historical sights.

It looks like we have one night to go to the downtown area, perhaps take the Lonely Planet recommended "Night walk through the Floating World", Kyoto's traditional entertainment areas.

What would you recommend to see the next day?
What area? We would like to see historical areas.

Appreciate any recommended tips for Ryokan and Kyoto sightseeing. Thank you!
This is my first time in Japan.

IsisMnroe

I just read the thread on 2 day Kyoto itinerary help. Thanks!

rkkwan

Most airlines will not hold your luggage for a stopover over 24hours. It's not a connection anymore. You must check with UA for this.

IsisMnroe

Thanks rkkwan.
I will double check on the luggage and probably will store luggage at the airport.

I've done more search on the Board and found recommendations for Ryokan from Florence:

"Author: Florence
Date: 03/10/2005, 08:43 am

Bonjour Kittycatangel,

I don't know the Heianbo, though it looks nice. Here's its web address

Heianbo: http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526046.html


Reasonnable accomodations in Kyoto – Welcome Inns Reservation center: http://www.itcj.or.jp/search/pref/kyoto.html

My recommendations:
Ryokan Hiraiwa (quiet, nice location, nice people, been staying there many times) http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526001.html or http://www2.odn.ne.jp/hiraiwa/

Hearton hotel: great location, good price (paid yen 10 000 for a twin through Welcome Inns reservation last May), excellent kaiseki restaurant on the 2nd floor, good service http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526078.html

Kyoka Ryokan: close to the station, http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526006.html . Their annex Riverside Takase is close to Yuhara and Hiraiwa.

Yuhara, nice location, next to one of my favorite restaurant (Kawa) along Takase canal http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526007.html

Rakucho Ryokan: a bit far north of the city but good transportation (subway) and great neighborhood, recommended by a Swiss cleanliness freak colleague of mine http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526002.html "

Thank you!

IsisMnroe

In further searching on this Board
and the short time we have in Kyoto, we may just opt to stay centrally located downtown at the Kyoto Central Hotel in a Japanese room. Thanks lcuy! I've read your 2002 post.

IsisMnroe

Live and learn.
Crossed the dateline.
It's only a 4 hour layover.
Maybe next time, Japan.