Getting around in Kyoto
 

So we are on our way to Kyoto and I'm realizing now that it's pretty big.

We have our JR passes but I don't think this will get us around in kyoto.

Is there a subway pass to buy? Like in Tokyo?

I used SPG points and booked the Westin which I've read isn't in a prime location, but it was in my budget ( free!)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html

Aloha!

Did you get a Suica card in Tokyo? If so you can use that in Kyoto for trains and buses....

No...we didn't buy anything in Tokyo...we managed with jr and paid for some subway rides....

We stayed at the Westin as well. I recall the subway station being very near the hotel, and we used it frequently. We didn't buy a pass, and I don't remember even considering it.

There are restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, and we walked to some of the temples from there. Don't worry--you'll be fine.

BTW, we visited Kyoto in the summer as well, and it was hot and steamy. Drink lots of water, and wear a hat or use an umbrella. The indoor pool at the Westin is great for cooling off in the evening.

Californialady...
Thanks for the info!! I just bought a wide brimmed hat yesterday in Takayama!!

What hawaiiantraveler said -- and what we have told you before, several times. :-( Seriously, if you can reach Fodor's, you can reach japan-guide.com....

Kja....meow....you don't have to answer if you don't want to....

And you don't have to wait until Fodorites chime in -- you can get your answers ASAP.

And, meow, you don't need to criticize those of us who take our time and energy to try to be helpful. JMO.

MBM - you are going to be nasty to kja after all the great info she has given you?

It is reasonable to think that posters here will endeavor to do some of their own research.

OK, ladies, enough. I personally am enjoying readying MBM's live posts from Japan. Sometimes other posters can add valuable gems that are not apparent on websites.

However, good manners dictate that the OP thank all posters graciously, no matter what the tone. The OP should work on the assumption that all posters have good intentions in wanting to help

Time to hug and make up, ladies.

Westin has shuttle between the hotel and Kyoto station. The resort shuttle can be found at the Hachijo Exit and the shuttle runs every thirty minutes.

IIRC, the shuttle stops at a subway station on the way to Kyoto station.

Ta-ku-shi is a good way to get around Kyoto.

Oh that's right, mr wunfrl, I forgot about the free shuttle. We took it from the train state to the Westin. Good get.

lol agree taxi is a great way to get around Kyoto

MiamiBeachMomma,

Please continue asking any question you desire. No poster should feel it is their right to tell you how to research your trip. Like you, I would think it is a better idea to just pass on answering.

kja,

I have always enjoyed reading the numerous, numerous questions that you pose on Fodors as you plan your trips. In fact, the thread with your questions are almost as long as most people's TR's. I also enjoy reading your amazing trip reports. The last one was epic and a sheer delight! That is why I am at a loss as to why you would respond in such a short and somewhat rude way to the OP. As it stands, she received some truly rich and good information from mrwunrfl and CaliforniaLady specific to her hotel, which is probably not on Japan Guide. Yes, it is a great resource, but so are your fellow fodor posters. And like CaliforniaLady, I am really enjoying the OP's posts from the road, which are full of insightful comments that can be used by others.

Kathie, you really thought the OP was rude? I thought she handled it pretty well considering the response she received.

This whole thread just feels petty and entitled. The very thing that always ruins a good Fodors thread. We are all travelers just trying to see the world.

In fact, the OP is an avid and longtime fodorite. I have read her numerous fantastic TR's and am glad that she is a contributor -- questions and all.

I hope we can all continue to enjoy her rich commentary and benefit from her insights and the answers to her inquiries as she continues her amazing trip with her family.

I hope no one feels I am being disrespectful, as it is not my intention.

And MBM,

Taxis are everywhere, fantastically priced, and the cleanest and nicest taxis you will ever see! All of the drivers are helpful, kind and professional with the smartest attire. I enjoyed zipping around Kyoto. Like Tokyo, when we did take the subway, it was easy and efficient.

Enjoy. Looking forward to hearing what you think.

I suspect that many of us realize that tone can be easily misread in online messages, so let me say that when I read the OP, I heard urgency. And I suspect that many of us have had the experience of losing sight of our readily available resources when feeling stressed. So I heard a message from a person who was stressed out and appeared to have forgotten then she has ready access to immediate information, such as the information available on japan-guide or through her hotel. Sometimes, IME, a reminder that one has options is what is needed.

With the benefit of the perspectives that several of you have shared, I can appreciate that my initial response could have seemed rude. I sincerely apologize to anyone who took offense at my effort to provide the reminder that I thought might be in order.

My thanks to those of you who have taken the time to help put this interaction in perspective.

OMG, I just realized that the smiley face I entered into my initial response with the specific intention of softening my message somehow turned into a frownie instead! I honestly did not see that until now, and can better understand the misinterpretations of my message now that I see this error.

No problem, kja. We all remain fans of yours. You are one of the most resourceful travelers here.

I think that most of us who plan our own trips tend to be forthright people--perhaps leaders instead of followers, so there are sometimes when we conflict here. I myself tend to be a bit bossy, but I sure am pretty good at planning trips, lol.

@ CaliforniaLady: Thank you for your kind responses and gentle guidance!

My inclination is to assume the best of others, and I am sincere in expressing my gratitude to every Fodorite who has ever posted on one of my planning threads, whether helpful or irrelevant or even (rarely) completely unhelpful – gosh, someone took the time and energy to respond, and even gave my thread a bounce to the top in the process! How can I complain??? JMO.

I also believe that I can always learn to be more sensitive and thoughtful in my replies, so again, thanks!

Lolazahra, I did read MBM's response to kja as being nasty. That may not have been her intent, as I am reminded by the responses here. kja is someone who answers Japan questions (and others) endlessly and I felt she didn't deserve the nastiness.

MBM, we opted to use taxis in Kyoto, as our time there was limited (five full days) and we had so much we wanted to see. It worked well, though it is more expensive than public transport.

You can buy an all day bus pass to ride the busses all day in Kyoto. That's what I did on my last visit November 2014. You buy the pass from the bus driver or at Kyoto station. Kyoto's busses are great and go everywhere. Best 500 yen you will spend.

http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/en...transport.html
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-k...-subway-passes

kja,

Just as with email tone can be misinterpreted in the digital world. You are a wealth of information and a great writer, so your contributions are appreciated.

In the end, I think this is a good thread to remind us all that most people have the best intentions.

MBM, totally off subject -- take the family to Fire Ramen. It's a blast.

@ Kathie: Thank you. I do try to be helpful.

@ Lolazahra: Thank you for your kind words.

I agree with Kathie. MBM's reply was a wee bit sarcastic, which is against the posting rules. And it was double uncool to do that to someone who gives lots of help to everyone.

I also wanted to second susiesan's suggestion about taking buses in Kyoto. I forgot that we took a few. But I have since taken many city buses in other cities in Japan, and have purchased an all day pass. The buses are always clean and pleasant. Good idea.

Hi Guys -

I'm a California mom in Kyoto too with husband and teens! We have been getting great tips on my post "totally unprepared". Thank you!

Kyoto is our last leg and I spent the least amount of time preparing for this. I sent an inquiry to MK taxi company but did not get a reply yet.

Any suggestions for a private taxi? The heat has taken its toll after a day at Universal Studios yesterday. With everything spread out, we want to conserve energy.

I relied heavily on Japan guide for the overall itinerary but I found the "getting there" sections not specific enough.

Seems like this is the same question as the OP ...

We have JR passes but they don't work on the local trains. For a family of five, the 3 stops on the train from Kyoto station to our ryokan last night cost $11 one way. The fares add up quickly. I'd rather pay a cab ...

PS I panicked about the location of the Westin and split our stay 3 nights guesthouse in central downtown ($900) then last 2 nights Westin (free). Based on the cost of this trip, I'm thinking the free Westin all 5 nights would have been better.

No need to pre-arrange a taxi for anything in Kyoto. There will be taxis either at your ryokan or the ryokan can call one for you. There will be taxis at all of the temples you visit, so you don't have to hire one taxi for the whole day. But if you want to hire a taxi for a whole day or several days, you can certainly do that.

We had 6 free nights at the Hyatt in Kyoto. I always encourage people to use hotel points when they can in Kyoto as it is the most expensive location for hotels in Japan.

Yoou will find all of the taxis very clean. Many have white seat covers, and many taxi drivers wear white gloves. No tipping!

Thank you Kathie -

Will these readily available taxis seat 5?

Yes - Should have stuck with points. But, we are in a charming prime location. Kids are asleep and my husband is on his way back from a quaint bakery with coffee and pastries in hand. Probably not worth $900 to avoid the dreaded chain hotel buffet but we will recoup the $ next year when we use the points in Spain. ��

Typical taxis in Japan are the same sedans you see in the US, but with different names. For example, a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry are the same, but are marketed under different names, so only five people maximum will fit, including the driver. I would make arrangements through the hotel for a mini-van and driver, something like a Honda Odyssey.

So, the hotel will be better at phoning your taxi company for you. I have found that hotels, and taxi companies often don't respond to emails. It may be the language barrier, or they prefer faxes (that's what the ladies at the JNTO in Los Angeles told me). The taxi driver will not come cheap, but if the alternative is becoming wilted from the infamous Kyoto humidity, and everyone getting cranky, why not?

Don't worry about the hotel points. As long as you keep them active, they'll last forever. There are cities that are alot more expensive than Kyoto where their usage may pay off.

MBM - Would love to hear how it's going. Favorites? Tips?

We beat the heat tonight with a very enjoyable evening stroll through Nishiki to Ponchoko alley. Amazing dinner and a great walk home.

Fire ramen brings back good memories :)

Have your taxi or hotel concierge tell you how to get to Menbakaichidai ramen.

Kathie is right using points on hotels in Kyoto and most of Japan will be getting the max value of your points.

Aloha!

Hi Jill!
We r back in Tokyo now, but here are my Kyoto tips....

Yes, the Westin was kind of out of the way from dining options. But, for breakfast you can not beat the little coffee shop just a few hundred feet from the taxi ramp to the hotel. (Off premises)
For 500 yen you get coffee, eggs, salad, and toast made by a lovely gentlemen who has been at it for 25 years! The coffee brewing is something to watch! Siphon coffee is delish!!

There is also a Japanese place called asuka, I think. Just 10 minute walk from hotel. Crowded and we had to wait for a table, but pretty good and inexpensive.

We also found that 20 minutes walk from the hotel towards the river took us to many dining options. We cabbed it there and walked back....

More later!!!! Have to run to dress for dinner res.

In the area just over the river was Musashi, conveyor belt sushi. Most plates were 145 yen for 2 pieces. My kids went crazy and the plates stacked pretty high, but we were still under $100 USD!! This is a popular spot one of our guides told us about. Expect a line, but it moves quickly.

We also enjoyed Istanbul Saray down the street and in an alley. When need you need a break from Japanese food this was amazing!! Kabobs and middle eastern salads were a treat!

Near the silver temple we ate at Omen for lunch. We loved it!! This place gets packed and we were lucky to beat the rush! Wonderful Udon noodles!

We also rented bikes for 1000 yen an adult and 800 yen a kid the JR station in saga-arashimya. We ride to the Golden Temple, which was a tough uphill ride, but we also rode to the monkey park, which everyone loved! 150 yen to get apples and peanuts to feed the monkeys!!!

Will continue more later!!

Oh yeah....they gave us coupons at the Westin for 10 percent off the in house restaurants as part of the check in (maybe because we are Starwood gold) we tried the Chinese and it was very good!

MBM, sounds like Kyoto was a hit. Fantastic! Jill02 -- enjoy! We sure did!