Hello!<BR>I am going to Japan for two weeks in September. I am planning to spend at least a week in Tokyo, and maybe take a day trip to Kyoto. For the rest of the holiday I would like to see something of "old" Japan, temples, nice scenery that sort of thing. Preferably not a long way from Tokyo. Does anyone have suggestions? Your advice is much appreciated. <BR>PS. Has anyone stayed in a good, cheap ryokan or similar in Tokyo with japanese style rooms BUT en suite bathroom? (And preferably no curfew) <BR>Thank you,<BR>Jo Lewis

Bonjour Jo,<BR><BR>Only a daytrip to Kyoto ? You'll see plenty of "old" Japan there, and a whole lifetime would not be enough to make it justice ;-)<BR><BR>Have a look at the JNTO website about the Nakasendo road and Kiso valley for well preserved old towns, but it is not really close to Tokyo.<BR><BR>Cheap ryokans with ensuite bathroom and no curfew ? You can only get 2 out of 3 (they all have curfew, although you can sometimes ask for a key).<BR>Check Sawanoya, Katsutaro (their new annex), Taito, or Asakusa Shigetsu at http://members.aol.com/jinngroup/Page1.html<BR><BR>Happy planning, and better travelling!<BR><BR>PS: I'll be off the web for a few days (moving ...) but I'll be back as soon as possible with a new mail address.

WE enjoyed Takayama - a small city near the Japanese alps. It has many old houses, temples, the works. It can be reached by train from Osaka.

Thanks for your help!<BR><BR>Maybe i will stay longer in Kyoto then. I don't want to spend to much of the holiday travelling you see, so I want to pick the best places to go. I'm sure I'll have a great time wherever I go!<BR><BR>As for no curfew, well lets say I want to sample Tokyo nightlife heh. I'll look up those places you mentioned Florence, thanks very much.<BR><BR>Jo Lewis

Jo- If you want to see some old Japan and not do too much travelling from Tokyo, I'd also recommend you spend more time in Kyoto. The shinkansen is quick and comfortable from Tokyo and once there, you'll get lots of old (and new) Japan. A day trip would not really do you any good as the travel would eat up your day. A better choice for Tokyo day trips would be either Nikko or Kamakura.<BR>I also second the Asakusa Shigetsu. Very neat and clean with private baths and in a great neighborhood. Ask for a key if you'll be out late. check the subway schedules though...it is a bit of a taxi ride from the more entertaining districts if you come home really late!

OK so I've decided to split the two weeks between Tokyo and Kyoto, and go on some day trips from both cities. I checked out the ryokans you mentioned Florence, and I think the Katsutaro Annex looks very nice. Has anyone stayed there? I was wondering if when they say 10,000 yen for a two person room, they mean 10,000 for the room per night rather than 10,000 per person per night!! (Because if it is per person I can't afford it!)<BR>Thanks again for your advice

Bonjour Jo,<BR><BR>The price of Katsutaro is per room. One of my kendo students stayed there last April and was very happy with it. I know the area pretty well and it's one of the few remaining traditional areas of Tokyo. Don't miss the senbei (rice crackers) shops and Busseki, the bamboo basket maker in the small street branching from Yanaka Ginza street.

Hi Jo,<BR> <BR>I would highly recommend the following destinations:<BR><BR>1. Use Tokyo as based city and take day trips to these nearby towns:<BR>* Kamakura and Endoshima Island (about 1 hr by train -south of Tokyo) A good day trip. <BR>* Nikko (about 2 hours by train-north of Tokyo). Also a good day trip.<BR>* Hakone (known for hot springs). It's about 2 hours by train. <BR><BR>2. Kyoto: I love this city! There are many beautiful temples and shrines. You will need at least 3 days to discover the town. You should stay at a ryokan and go to onsen (hot springs) to experience some of the Japanese traditions.<BR><BR>BTW, if you are coming for the US. You might want to purchase a Japan Rail Pass before leaving. JRP will save you alot of money on transportations. Check out the all the details on the internet.<BR><BR>You can email me directly if you have any questions.

Dear Christie,<BR>Thanks for the advice. I am definitely visiting Hakone. I would like to go to Fuji Five Lakes, it sounds beautiful. Nikko probably or maybe Nara from Kyoto. Probably Kamakura. I will probably decide when I get there. I also want to go to Choshikei which apparently is in Shodo. Do you know where Shodo is because I can't find it.<BR>Hehe. So excited already but it seems too long to wait!