5 and a half full days in Tokyo. Should I consider visiting Kyoto?
Feb 12th, 2014, 05:07 PM
#21
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Yes, you have selected some of the best things to see/experience in Kyoto - and they are very well worth seeing IMO. 
"finish at the Gion district attending a Miyako - Odori performance" -- An odor is, indeed, a very special thing to see. But I think the performances are during the afternoon only.
http://www.miyako-odori.jp/english/index.html
"finish at the Gion district attending a Miyako - Odori performance" -- An odor is, indeed, a very special thing to see. But I think the performances are during the afternoon only.
http://www.miyako-odori.jp/english/index.html
Feb 12th, 2014, 06:28 PM
#22
The question is do you think it is too expensive? I think ¥7,000 is very inexpensive.
So you will have the afternoon of the 17th and all of the 18th in Kyoto. You could all day on 19th in Kyoto also, if you wanted. Or not. The last shinkansen that you could use depart after 8PM.
So you will have the afternoon of the 17th and all of the 18th in Kyoto. You could all day on 19th in Kyoto also, if you wanted. Or not. The last shinkansen that you could use depart after 8PM.
Feb 25th, 2014, 08:26 AM
#27
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Kja, mrwunrfl, the japan-guide.com says that another cultural show by maikos is held everyday at the Gion Corner. Have you seen that? (http://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html). Is it different than the miyako odori show?
And now about the food... which restaurant is your favourite? I wonna taste some real japanese cuisine but not so expensive. I also want to try these futuristic restaurants with the plates rolling on a moving corridor. Do they have any special name? Also, what about these restaurants where you pay your food on a vending machine and then go inside to take it? Is it of a good quality or a kind of a fast food junk?
And now about the food... which restaurant is your favourite? I wonna taste some real japanese cuisine but not so expensive. I also want to try these futuristic restaurants with the plates rolling on a moving corridor. Do they have any special name? Also, what about these restaurants where you pay your food on a vending machine and then go inside to take it? Is it of a good quality or a kind of a fast food junk?
Feb 25th, 2014, 08:43 AM
#28
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Do you mean conveyor-belt sushi restaurants?
These are known as kaiten-zushi in Japan and have been around for quite a while. During our last visit, we had a very well-priced meal at a place just on the junction of Sanjo and Kawaramachi. I'm afraid you can't easily spot it via Google Maps but if you go to that junction, you'd see it easily, just to the right of the entrance to the covered segment of Sanjo called Cupola Sanjo. It was open and very busy during our visit at the end of October 2013, so I'd be fairly confident it's still open now.
And you can also just ask your hotel to recommend a nice kaiten-zushi place near to your hotel location, if this suggestion isn't convenient to where you're staying.
Many restaurants offer vending machine payment before eating, and the food is usually very good. It's simple and hearty but the quality in the places we've visited has been decent. We liked a katsu curry place in Kyoto station and we also ate at some ramen-ya and rice bowl places with this system. Always enjoyed our food. These are quick in and out kind of places, in general, so great for a quick pitstop while out and about.
Can I also suggest you go to a tempura specialist, I can't recommend a specific one in Kyoto but I'm sure others can help.
Also, KatsuKura is my favourite for tonkatsu, breaded deep fried pork cutlets. I adore these, served with huge mounds of crunchy cabbage and a sesame dressing. The original branch on Teramachi Dori is lovely but the one in Kyoto Station (on the 11th floor of the department store's restaurant area) is also just as delicious.
These are known as kaiten-zushi in Japan and have been around for quite a while. During our last visit, we had a very well-priced meal at a place just on the junction of Sanjo and Kawaramachi. I'm afraid you can't easily spot it via Google Maps but if you go to that junction, you'd see it easily, just to the right of the entrance to the covered segment of Sanjo called Cupola Sanjo. It was open and very busy during our visit at the end of October 2013, so I'd be fairly confident it's still open now.
And you can also just ask your hotel to recommend a nice kaiten-zushi place near to your hotel location, if this suggestion isn't convenient to where you're staying.
Many restaurants offer vending machine payment before eating, and the food is usually very good. It's simple and hearty but the quality in the places we've visited has been decent. We liked a katsu curry place in Kyoto station and we also ate at some ramen-ya and rice bowl places with this system. Always enjoyed our food. These are quick in and out kind of places, in general, so great for a quick pitstop while out and about.
Can I also suggest you go to a tempura specialist, I can't recommend a specific one in Kyoto but I'm sure others can help.
Also, KatsuKura is my favourite for tonkatsu, breaded deep fried pork cutlets. I adore these, served with huge mounds of crunchy cabbage and a sesame dressing. The original branch on Teramachi Dori is lovely but the one in Kyoto Station (on the 11th floor of the department store's restaurant area) is also just as delicious.
Feb 25th, 2014, 04:18 PM
#31
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Yes, the performances at Gion Corner ARE different than an odori. An odori is performed by Geiko (Geisha) and Maiko (apprentice Geisha) and is sort of like a musical. The performances at Gion Corner include a sampling of 7 traditional arts - including flower arranging. As I recall, the longest performance is a 20-minute bunraku skit. Although I saw a different odori, I would say that the odori was gorgeous and a highlight of a highlight-filled trip. The Gion Corner show was a fun way to see some of Japan's performing arts. (And since it was the only place where I could see bunraku while I was there, I was glad to have attended.)
http://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html
http://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html
Mar 31st, 2014, 09:29 AM
#32
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Hello, my helpful friends!!!
My travel preparations to Japan are almost ready. I have booked hotels, Rail Pass, a Miyako Odori performance in Kyoto. I'm so excited!
I'd like to ask you about exchange currency. What is the best solution for me? I heard that the exchange rates in Japan banks and Post Offices are really bad. On the other hand I hear that ATMs work only with japanese cards. Should I make the exchange here in Athens? If someone has changed euros to yen recently please inform me, so that I can compare rates and comissions.
Qounting on you!!! Thanks so much!!!
My travel preparations to Japan are almost ready. I have booked hotels, Rail Pass, a Miyako Odori performance in Kyoto. I'm so excited!
I'd like to ask you about exchange currency. What is the best solution for me? I heard that the exchange rates in Japan banks and Post Offices are really bad. On the other hand I hear that ATMs work only with japanese cards. Should I make the exchange here in Athens? If someone has changed euros to yen recently please inform me, so that I can compare rates and comissions.
Qounting on you!!! Thanks so much!!!
Mar 31st, 2014, 04:09 PM
#33
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I'm sure you'll enjoy the Miyako Odori!
Many ATMs (but not all!) accept non-Japanese credit cards.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html
Many ATMs (but not all!) accept non-Japanese credit cards.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2208.html
Mar 31st, 2014, 08:02 PM
#34
Adding to the great description of the difference between the M.O. and Gion Corner, I would say that going to G.C. would not be redundant and would be worthwhile if you are interested in a sampler of the various gei.
Apr 1st, 2014, 03:18 AM
#35
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SOS! Urgent help!!!
I am thinking now of going to Matsumoto on the 19th of April on the way back from Kyoto to Tokyo. Leave Kyoto early in the morning, stop at Nagoya (is there any closer stop?) and take the connecting train to Matsumoto. Return to Tokyo the same day.
It's gonna be an extra 4 hour train ride(plus the waiting times at the stations), but its the only way to catch some nice full cherry blossom and also visit a nice castle.
What do u think? Am I crazy? Is it managable? Have u been there? Is it worth it? (I have a JR pass).
I am thinking now of going to Matsumoto on the 19th of April on the way back from Kyoto to Tokyo. Leave Kyoto early in the morning, stop at Nagoya (is there any closer stop?) and take the connecting train to Matsumoto. Return to Tokyo the same day.
It's gonna be an extra 4 hour train ride(plus the waiting times at the stations), but its the only way to catch some nice full cherry blossom and also visit a nice castle.
What do u think? Am I crazy? Is it managable? Have u been there? Is it worth it? (I have a JR pass).
Apr 1st, 2014, 10:44 AM
#37
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My one contribution about Gion Corner is to be sure to take your camera/video camera (if you have both)! I work in a theatre, so I'm so used to "No photography/videography". I had my camera with me, but not my video-camera and was really disappointed since they allowed both. I was able to take some short clips on my camera, but didn't want to use up my memory card and battery, then be without a camera for the rest of the night.
Apr 1st, 2014, 10:33 PM
#38
As far as you being crazy, that is hard to tell.
If you are going from Kyoto to Tokyo or to Matsumoto then you will be going through Nagoya. You have it right - it would be an extra four hours of travel to stop in Matsumoto.
I have been to Matsumoto - spent the night and then visited the castle the next morning. Terrific castle. Then I left Matsumoto for Tokyo but I went via Nagano, simply so that I could spend some time at Zenkoji. I was very happy that I did that, tho the detour was not as great as your idea.
Your idea about making a stop in Matsumoto is something that I might do after considering the price. That price is 4 hours. That is 4 hours, only 4 hours, that you are taking away from Kyoto and/or Tokyo.
If you are going from Kyoto to Tokyo or to Matsumoto then you will be going through Nagoya. You have it right - it would be an extra four hours of travel to stop in Matsumoto.
I have been to Matsumoto - spent the night and then visited the castle the next morning. Terrific castle. Then I left Matsumoto for Tokyo but I went via Nagano, simply so that I could spend some time at Zenkoji. I was very happy that I did that, tho the detour was not as great as your idea.
Your idea about making a stop in Matsumoto is something that I might do after considering the price. That price is 4 hours. That is 4 hours, only 4 hours, that you are taking away from Kyoto and/or Tokyo.
