A week in April; Kyoto and Tokyo?
 

We went to Tokyo and Hakone almost 3 years ago.
This time my husband has a business trip and has to be in Tokyo from Monday afternoon to Thursday.
I'd really like to spend some time in Kyoto too but our dates and flights are fixed and time is tight.
I arrive on the Thursday and my husband gets in the next afternoon, Friday.
I think it would be best to head to Kyoto immediately on his arrival. We'd then have 3 nights in Kyoto before the 4 nights in Tokyo.

I'd like some help planning; with only 2 full days in Kyoto what should we prioritise.
Some mobility issues as I've torn my meniscus and have postponed knee surgery until my return. I can walk slowly for a couple of hours or so, rest and continue but stairs slow me down considerably.
Gardens are high on my list (hoping the weather is good and the cherry blossoms linger or the azaleas are in bloom!).
I'd definitely like to visit Kankaku-ji temple, Kyoto Gosho and Heian-jingu shrine.

We will probably stay at the Hyatt Regency Kyoto (unless the Westin is better situated) and the Hyatt Regency in Tokyo.

Thanks for any help!

I think going to Kyoto ASAP makes a lot of sense. And unfortunately, you are right: with only 2 full days and some mobility issues, you will need to be very selective! Still, you should be able to have a wonderful experience.

My experience was that many of the temples and shrines had LOVELY gardens. Heian-jingu was one of my favorites, and as I recall, mostly on the level. Another garden I really enjoyed was Katsura Rikyu, for which you may need a reservation.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3914.html

Another place you might want to consider is Nijo-jo:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3918.html

To my chagrin, I skipped Kokedera (the Moss Temple); you might scan this forum for posts by cmstraf, who I believe has written about it and how to arrange it.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3937.html

Hope that helps! (and good luck with your knee)

I am no expert on traveling in Japan since I have only been once, but would like offer my advise. I also had an injury while traveling in Japan and made use of taxis in Kyoto whenever it was possible. They were affordable and many sights are located close together. Save your knees for the times you are actually in the temples and gardens etc...I agree with kja that Nijo-Jo is a worthwhile stop. I also loved Ginkaku-ji, both the garden and temple were beautiful. Happy travels��

In Kyoto, the Westin arguably has a better location than the Hyatt (next to a subway stop, very close to Nanzen-ji and Philosopher's Path). But the Hyatt is a much, much nicer place to stay. (My one stay at the Westin was supposed to have been 3 nights -- I left after 1 to go back to the Hyatt.)

The best location among top-tier hotels is probably the new Ritz Carlton, on the river and just a bit north of Ponto-cho. I haven't stayed there (but have stayed in the neighborhood, at the now-gone Fujita) and like the location a lot.

Sassy_cat - you must see the Kiyomizu temple. Sure it's up a long hill but you can do it. You can roll back down.

http://famouswonders.com/kiyomizu-temple/

kja, thanks for links, very helpful. My knee might be ok, I'm being conservative at the moment with all the ice and snow around.

hnl, Thanks for the taxi advice.

Don, Thanks! I've just booked the Hyatt in Kyoto with points so we'll stick with that hotel rather than fork out $$$ for the Ritz ;)

cold, I'm adept at rolling but what will the locals think? Kiyomizu looks very pretty!

They will know you have a torn meniscus. Very smart people.

:D
Really? I will be wearing all black so they might think I'm a ninja.

Which gardens would you recommend in Tokyo? I enjoyed Shinjuku Gyoen last time. Yoyogi Park and Koishikawa Korakuen both appeal. I'd like to try visiting a tea house (a chance to rest my knee) but I'm not keen on omatcha so I'd prefer there were other tea options or at least a pretty view.

Maybe Meiji Jingu:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3002.html

There Is a BEAUTIFUL temple just steps from the Hyatt in Kyoto AND if you go out right then right from the Hyatt a little known gem of a temple you can visit and have almost to yourself! ....
There is a gorgeous tea house on the lake in the gardens not far from the famous market Tokyo.... I really can't think of the name right now( hopefully someone will help me out! )

kja, Thanks for the link. I really enjoyed visiting the Meiji Shrine on my last trip but we didn't make it to the garden. I was with my daughter at the time so I might revisit with my husband.

Smeagol, auto correct wants your name to be seagull lol! I appreciate the information, 'close to the Hyatt' is music to my ears and my knee will thank you. ;)

Smeagol, you may be referring to Hama Rikyu. It is not far from Tsukiji fish market and has a teahouse. And a peony garden.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3025.html

Yes that's it- thank you....Hama Rikyu.... I think tea on that lake would be lovely... Then take the boat to Asakusa....

Thanks, mrwunrfl! I love peonies but we may be too early to see them bloom (late April).
Smeagol, which boat? Ahh, the water bus I presume from the link.

Yes the water bus, just a few minutes walk from the tea house on the lake.....

April seems early for azaleas, but:

http://www.stripes.com/military-life...-japan-1.22923
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/bunk...ujimaturi.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3026.html
... several teahouses which are open to the public.
...and the azalea bushes planted along the shore of the garden's large central pond which are in bloom from April to May.

I have not visited either of those gardens.

mrwunrfl, Thanks for the links, the gardens look beautiful!

We did see azaleas in bloom on our last visit which was also in April so I have high hopes!
We also caught the tail end of the sakura (we were very lucky with the weather overall).

OK Sassy_cat I know you will ignore this advice. But I have found the bus to be much superior to the subway in Kyoto (with the exception of a few routes). Once you have figured out one or two routes it is a breeze. Or perhaps you are thinking of taking taxis everywhere given your injury. But if not check out the buses.

cold,
We might try the bus. DH is a bus timetable guru and prefers to see where's he's going so I'll designate him in charge of routes.
Last time we were in Japan my daughter and I took the subway and it seemed as if we walked a very long way to make connections underground (maybe we just got lost!).

I really don't know how my knee will fare. I've just signed up for some 'pre-hab' physio-terrorism with the hope of stabilising it before the op and aiding the post op recovery.