Help for Osaka trip
#2
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Not far. If I remember correctly, the shinkansen makes it from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto in 16 minutes. If a local train took more than an hour, I'd be surprised. You might also visit Nara from Osaka, about 35 minutes from the Namba station. <BR><BR>You can get a regional JR pass for the travelling.<BR><BR>Can't help with the onsen or ryokan.<BR><BR>
#3
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Nice hot spring hotel in the area is north of Kyoto at Kurama, up in the mountains on the Eiden rail line from Kyoto's Demachi-Yanagi Station (on east side of river, north of Sanjo station.)<BR>While you are in Kurama be sure to check out the temple too...
#4
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JR between Kyoto and Oaska takes half an hour with frequent train. For such short trip, I would not take Shinkansen (more expensive, less frequent, station far from the city center).<BR><BR>For hot spring hotel, there are several in Ogoto in Shiga area (20minute train from Kyoto). Check with http://www.ryokan.or.jp/english.htm and the website of individual hotel.
#5
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A word about Ogoto - there may indeed be one or two hot spring ryokans there, but there are also scores of 'love hotels' of very dubious repute. The whole place is a major red light district for the Kansai area. Not that it couldn't be interesting, but don't go looking for a tranquil Japanese experience!