I can't find a hotel in Kyoto (other than Kyoto Hotel Okura for $468/night, which is out of my price range) with rooms available for the dates I need: November 19-28. The weekend is the main problem-I can find one or two places with some weeknight availability during that period. Should I just leave Kyoto and go somewhere else (Kurashiki?) for the nights I can't find a room? Or is there some other way to find a room in Kyoto? I have checked a LOT of hotel websites, expedia, orbitz, etc., and have emailed some hotels. If anyone has another idea for how to find a room, I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.

Have you tried this Japanese website - no personal experience with it myself but I have read others were successful with it...

http://www.itcj.jp/index.html

I put in your dates and there is availablity in several places.

Also there are three Toyoko Inns in Kyoto but they don't take reservations until exactly two months before the first night unless you are already a member of their club.

Hope this helps

Tried Hotel Granvia via the hotel own website. we managed to get 2 superior rooms for 29 & 30 Nov last weekend for Y30,000 +10%+ 5%.
also tried Rhigha Royal Hotel through Holidaycity.com last look 1 week ago there were rooms available for Y$22,000 +10%+5% (for 22sq. room ) and Y25,000 + 10% +5% for 27sq room)

Thank you very much for the suggestions. I managed to find a room at the Brighton for all but November 22-24. I had been toying with the idea of going to Kurashiki, so I will look and see if I can find something there for the weekend, and also keep checking the various websites to see if something opens up in Kyoto for that weekend.

You could also try Rakuten travel: http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/

Nov is peak season in Kyoto (foliage season) and hotel rates are not low. Perhaps you can spend a few nights outside Kyoto for side trips in, say, Nara (also peak season), Miyajima, Kobe, and Kurashiki. Alternatively, spend a night or two at a ryokan outside Kyoto just to enjoy the ryokan experience.

jat:

we enjoyed the quasi-ryokan experience at Three Sisters Inn Annex...rate about $160..excellent location, lovely hostess. Recommended by Fodors and several other people on these forums.
Walking distance to sevral shrines and temples, short bus ride to downtown and other sights...next to the popular Heian Shrine.

Stu T.
Some pix of the 3 Sisters Inn Annex:

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...AndOtherScenes

How many are you?
We had a wonderful stay at Hirota Guest House with our son.
You would only be able to get a room with a shared bath if you are one or two. But it would be worth it if you didn't have to travel out of Kyoto.
It's about $9000/yen per night for two or fewer guests. Hirota speaks perfect English and it is in the heart of Kyoto.