THANSK!! Will google UKAI Toriiyama and the Okura location. For know the Westin is out, when you are using points... you are using points!!! Any oterh suggetsions?? Great inf on restaurants!!!!!!

Just check the UKAI TORIYAMA..It is far but I like what I read. I THink we will go!!!!

dianas, ukai is a fabulous experience. go and plan to spend a few hours there. it was mealea that recommended ukai. what a great place.

I couldn't find a website about Yoshima Ryokan, but since it is in the price range of 18000 per person it is probably pretty nice.

Yes! UKAI sounds great! We are going.
Here is the website for the Yoshi ima http://www.yoshi-ima.co.jp/en/policy/index.html _ I hope it is OK.

Anythin else I should know regarding teh JRP, other that I should activate it on the 5th , that way it is OK until teh 11th. Do I need to have the train numbers or something like it!
ALmost ready to go!!!
Received teh information about teh cookign class, It does not look that great. I think we might just skip it. It is a sushi and tempura class only.

If you are staying at a good hotel, your hotel concierge should be able to get you into a more sophisticated cooking class. Just ask when you check in. Also, look in the latest issue of Kyoto Visitors Guide, which you can pick up at the station.

Yes, I think you need to know what times your trains leave and what options you have on train times. Consult www.hyperdia.com

I take a paper JR train schedule w/me, available from JR's USA office location in NYC.

ANd if you want to get reservations for trains, you can do that at the JR office when you exchange your JR voucher for the pass. Tell them where you want to go and they will tell you trains and options on timing and make the reservatiosn for you. Or you can always show up a the train stations and get unreserved seats- but I suggest lining up at the lanes for the unreserved cars 15-20 min. before the train comes if you do that.

Ok, the name of the place is actually Yoshi-Ima or Yoshiima.

Looks nice, great location, and they are obviously welcoming to foreign guests. Yoshiima has been there since 1747.

The 18000 pp rate is the bottom end of their price range: 18,000 to 30,000. A place might have a range of meals available, at different prices, but that is a big range so there must be significant differences in the rooms. Might be better to get a room at least one or two steps up in price, closer to the mid-range.

Was able to get a room for 20,000 per person/garden view. They told me food is the same. We will see. ALmost ready...Two days to go!!!