Hi I am planning a trip in may - 6nights in tokyo and 4 nights in kyoto. But need some advice on kyoto. has anyone stayed in Rihga Royal ? Is it a good location ? Whats the best way to get from the station to the hotel ? I am catching the bullet train ? Is it easy to visit Osaka and various other areas from this hotel as it will be our base?

It`s super easy to visit Osaka from Kyoto. I am a British guy who has been living in Kyoto for about 3 years. The Rhiga royal is a great hotel. If you want to go for location try the many great hotels that are clustered around Kyoto station. Ryokan and minshuku, my personal favorites, those seeking to experience a taste of real Japanese culture should go for a RYOKAN.I would say that Kyoto is a great place to base yourself. A day trip to Osaka will probably be enough bearing in mind the enormous list of things to see and do in Kyoto. Spend more time in and around Kyoto and Nara. Osaka is a restauranr Mecca but that is about it! If I have to be honest!!!

Hi Jim_b i am british also. Thanks for the tips. I thought osaka was similar to tokyo? sounds like there is very little to do. Nara is where the park is right ? Is it possible to get to Mt Fuji from either Kyoto or Tokyo one a day trip ? I also wanted to get to Okinawa for a day do u think it would be possible ?

Firstly going to Okinawa for the day is impossible, unless you're Richard Branson! Mt Fuji is possible from Tokyo, I recommend going to Hakone from Shinjuku Odakyu Station in Tokyo and staying overnight. You can get great mirror image views of Fuji from Ashino-ko, a beautiful lake at the base. If you've got a Japan Rail Pass, you could do a day trip to Himeji Castle and Hiroshima in one long day. Both blow Osaka out of the water! Any more questions, just ask. Jim. Please have a look at my website for photos of these areas.
http://www.tanchouzuru.com and go to MAP. Click on Shizuoka Prefecture to see the mirror image I was telling you about.

Hi Jim,
I like your photos.

I will be traveling to Kyoto next month and was wondering if you can give me some travel trips.

Can you recommend a Ryokon to stay at. Would like something that is nice, nothing too luxurious since I am on a budget. Someone mentioned "Ryokan Yuhara" Have you heard of that?

Thanks!

Ryokan Heianbo
725 Heianbo-cho, JR Kyoto Ekimae Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8216, Japan

Great and convenient location. Nice breakfast too. Keep the questions coming!!!

Bonjour Kittycatangel,

I don't know the Heianbo, though it looks nice. Here's its web address

Heianbo: http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526046.html


Reasonnable accomodations in Kyoto – Welcome Inns Reservation center: http://www.itcj.or.jp/search/pref/kyoto.html

My recommendations:
Ryokan Hiraiwa (quiet, nice location, nice people, been staying there many times) http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526001.html or http://www2.odn.ne.jp/hiraiwa/

Hearton hotel: great location, good price (paid yen 10 000 for a twin through Welcome Inns reservation last May), excellent kaiseki restaurant on the 2nd floor, good service http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526078.html

Kyoka Ryokan: close to the station, http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526006.html . Their annex Riverside Takase is close to Yuhara and Hiraiwa.

Yuhara, nice location, next to one of my favorite restaurant (Kawa) along Takase canal http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526007.html

Rakucho Ryokan: a bit far north of the city but good transportation (subway) and great neighborhood, recommended by a Swiss cleanliness freak colleague of mine ;-) http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/5/facil/526002.html

Hi Nate,

I haven't been to Japan, yet, but will be there starting on the 8th next month. On Tuesday night, I called many different ryokan and inns in Kyoto. Unfortunately, many accomodations, that I found recommendations for, were booked up already.

I booked three nights at the Hirota Guesthouse, which is reviewed in frommers: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kyoto/H44926.html

And, here are some pictures from someone's vacation:
http://mission.base.com/pictures/oga...21/hirota.html

It looks quite lovely, and a garden room is $5000 yen and a street-side room is $6000 yen. I'm also quite happy that Mrs. Hirota, who I think I spoke with, speaks English. Because I am traveling alone, I will really appreciate having some guidance before I set out each morning.

It doesn't seem like an ideal location, but my sense is that a subway could get my anywhere I need to go within the city.

Good luck with your search. When are you traveling?

THanks everyone for tips

Eek, I contacted "Ryokan Yuhara" and it is fully booked for next month.

I better start looking at others!