4 days in Japan - should we do Kyoto?
 

Hello, I'm travelling to Tokyo (first time) w/ my 67yr dad. We're debating on whether to buy the Japan Rail pass. Currently scheduled to spend 5 nights in Tokyo (only 4 days really due to flight sch. from HK). Is it worth going to Kyoto or should we stick to sidetrips to Nikko or Kamakura? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

Definitely. To be honest, two days in Tokyo is enough. Two days in Kyoto should include at least 1/2 day in NAra. Try taking a tour (as you will be pressed for time). I can recommend the JTB Sunrise Tours (JTB is the no 1. in Japan). Trying to visit all these places by yourself is time consuming and difficult if you don't read/speak JApanese. As for the rail pass, if possible try to fly to Tokyo and return from Kansai (KIX - about 1 hour from KYoto). Airlines like Cathay or JAL do the openjaw deals. This way you save the 4 hour trip back to NArita. If you only take the train Narita - Tokyo, Tokyo - Kyoto and KYoto to Kansai Airport, then it is cheaper to buy tickets when you are there. But if you return to Tokyo, then it is better value to get the rail pass. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps <BR>

Thanks Steve for the advice. Unfortunately our tickets cannot be rerouted to leave from Osaka - so we will be buying the JR pass. One more question, if I may, - do you think it will be difficult for my "old" dad to stay in ryokan - not sure how comfortable it will be? Or should we go for a western hotel in Kyoto? And if so, any recommendations. Thanks again

I have not stayed in a Ryokan so cannot comment. As for western style hotels, we stayed at the New Miyako. This is right next to the station, and so is an excellent location if you come and go by train (the station is also good for restaurants). All the JTB tours pick us from NM as well. The hotel is good, although more JApanese orientated than western orientated (although everything is written in English and staff speak English, the TV does not have English channels for example). All the Americans seemed to be staying at the Righa Royal (but this is a little further from the station). <BR> <BR>For the JR pass, you may find it benefical to reserve seats (from any JTB office or at the railway station), as the unreserved carriages can get full.

chocolate-- <BR> <BR>i think the thing abt ryokans is that u sleep on futon--or at least at the ones i recall u did. there'll be a tatami-mat room, and a maid will come in before bedtime to spread out the heavy bottom futon on the mats, w/ the lighter quilt-style futon on top. ur dad shd have no problem if he can lower himself to the floor and lie down. if he can't, and really needs a western-style bed, u shd look into a hotel. <BR> <BR>i think most ryokan had detachable showerheads, but the jpnese style of bathing is to sit on a very low plastic or wooden stool and use either the showerhead or small buckets of water to bathe before u get into the large furo. furo are a little deeper than western bathtubs (water typically comes up to ur shoulders when u sit in them), but if ur dad can climb into a western tub, he shd have no problem. it is, tho, scalding hot, which is par for the course--after a few seconds u get used to it, and after a few minutes u come out feeling as pliant as a pasta noodle! <BR> <BR>bkfast and dinner are included in the ryokan price, are served in ur room, and are typically jpnese--and delicious! every ryokan dinner i recall (vs minshuku dinners) was more elaborate than i expected, consisting of at least 5 courses including sashimi in season, boiled or steamed vegetables from the region, a hotpot-type stew or grilled beef w/ butter or some similar 'main' course, etc. i recall rice at both dinner and breakfast, which also usually includes fish, but western bkfasts may also be offered. hope this helps!