I'm getting ready to pull the trigger and reserve flights for Japan using airline miles. Our dates would be April 5 to 18, 2017 -- it will be our first trip there and timed to hopefully see cherry blossoms.

I've been doing a little hotel research and in Kyoto especially I'm finding "no availability" when I search early April dates on hotel websites. Is this because it's too early for hotels to start booking? Or is cherry blossom season so incredibly popular that the best hotels are already totally booked? I've booked lots of hotels 11 months in advance so I'm not sure what to think....

Yes, it is too early for booking hotels in April 2017 in most places in Japan.

Kathie, thank you for your response. Do you know when they typically start bookings -- is it 6 months in advance?

<<Our dates would be April 5 to 18, 2017 -- it will be our first trip there and timed to hopefully see cherry blossoms.>>

You'll be at the waning to tail end of the cherry blossoms anywhere south of Hokkaido.

Don't worry about hotels for a few months. We booked flights in February for November and nothing useful came open until about 7 months out.

I emailed Hotel Mume in Kyoto and they just responded saying they are already fully booked for my dates. So waiting to figure out hotels may not be a good idea for the smaller popular hotels and ryokans.

Hmmmmm if every hotel in Kyoto is taken during that time then why is anyone even planning to go to Japan at all during sakura? You got to believe us when we tell you about the hotel systems in Japan or you will go nuts. I know someone who is doing just that lol

If you plan on being in Tokyo and Kyoto after 4/5/17 you will be too late. How would anyone know that one year in advance?? They don't but I do lol..

Aloha!

I'm sorry hawaiiantraveler but I am confused about what you are trying to tell me.

I typically book hotels in Japan nine months out by writing directly to the hotels. I often get the response that they are fully booked. I'm not sure if they are wary of foreigners, or they have blocked out rooms for tour groups. I keep forging ahead, and I eventually find a room.

Just book something now, even if it's not your first choice, and then try again as the dates get closer, and blocked tour group rooms are released. I would write maybe three at a time, and wait for a response.

We liked the Sheraton Miyako Hotel, but there was a recent debate here about its merits. It's a huge hotel, so it can possibly be your back up.

Although some hotels do indeed take bookings a year in advance, especially the smaller boutique hotels and ryokans, most hotels don't load their availability to online booking sites until 6 months (or sometimes only 3 months) in advance.

So if there's a particular hotel you really want, I agree that it's best to email them directly.

Otherwise, you can probably keep checking once every few weeks to see if the hotels you want are available online yet.

I use booking.com for most of my bookings in Japan and you can easily create a List by destination there, just save your top ten choices into it, and then it's really quick to check availability for them on a regular basis.

April IS crazy in Kyoto though, I struggled to get availability for my recent (April 2015) trip 6 whole months ahead of the visit, and at that point a lot of hotels were definitely loaded for availability, as other dates shortly after mine were showing as free. I tried AirBnB too but wasn't impressed with the quality / price offering and the one place I found that seemed great withdraw from rent after I booked, I got a refund of course.

Elsewhere in Japan, it was MUCH easier to find lots and lots of availability, even in April - it really was Kyoto that was the difficulty.

Another update: The Hyatt Regency Kyoto web site is showing no availability in Kyoto but offers rooms at an alternate Hyatt Regency in Osaka. So I emailed the Kyoto property asking about my dates. They wrote back saying they have availability for a "Guest Room Twin or King", their smallest room at 28 sqm. I responded asking about Deluxe rooms (30 to 33 sqm) and they say they are all sold out.

As some of you suggested, I will try again in a few months, that's good advice. And I like CaliforniaLady's idea to book a cancellable reservation now (the Sheraton Miyako now seems to be a Westin, and they're showing availability) just to be safe. I think you're probably right that they're holding rooms for tour groups and maybe favorite travel agents, which is a safe bet considering how popular Kyoto seems to be in early April.

Booking.com (if there's anywhere with availability that you do like) is great for holding rooms as MOST (not every single one) of the properties give free cancellation till 3 days before arrival date.

Oops, you're right, bniemand, the Mikayo Kyoto is a Westin, not a Sheraton, but they are all Starwood properties, nonetheless.

I don't believe you will suffer if you stay there. Although it is a large hotel with tour groups, here is what I liked:

1. The indoor swimming pool was at the exact right temperature for cooling off in the evening. We didn't have the energy to swim after running around to temples all day, but we enjoyed waving our arms around a bit.
2. The concierges were amazing. They helped us plan an impromptu day to castles in the area when my son got sick of temples.
3. They have a frequent shuttle bus that takes you to the train station, which is convenient when visiting Nara.
4. The buffet breakfast was elaborate. All the Japanese were standing in a huge line for freshly made pancakes, so we had the Japanese food all to ourselves.
5. The concierge lounge has nice dishes out in the evening. We even pigged out one night on shrimp, and skipped dinner.

If you're thinking about the Westin Miyako Hotel, you should also give the Hotel Granvia a look. We stayed at the Granvia, but a tour we took originated at the Miyako, so we got a look at that hotel too.

In our opinion. the Granvia, while just across the street from the Miyako, is much better situated. It's directly in the train station, with all the conveniences that implies (accessibility to transportation, restaurants, shopping, unique architecture). The Miyako appeared to be a little tired looking, and seemed to cater to a mostly Japanese clientele, while the Granvia was definitely more modern,, with a mor varied clientele, and the train station provided a lively and exciting atmosphere.

The Granvia is a 4 (maybe 5?) star hotel, and it's priced accordingly. I can't speak to the star level or pricing for the Miyako. Also, we were able to get a room at the Granvia during the koyo season, while there was limited or no availablity at that time in other hotels we looked at.

Hope this helps a little.

There is the "NEW MIYAKO HOTEL" which is located on the back side of the Kyoto train station.

And there is the "WESTIN MIYAKO HOTEL" which is located in the eastern mountains of Kyoto.

Regardless, I agree that choosing a hotel near the Kyoto train station can be very convenient.

Sorry, I got that wrong. The hotel I was commenting on was the New Miyako Hotel (the one near the train station). Didn't realize there were 2 Miyako hotels. Thanks for catching that, Reading54.