Hello All,

In October we have to go to Tokyo for business but after that we have a week free. Last year we had a good look at this marvelous city, this year we would like to see a bit of the country.

Like many people, we like architecture, nature, Japanese food and Japanese culture.

Kyoto seems an obvious and Shimoda was suggested but perhaps there are other options?

Is either or both too much for one week?

Thanks very much

Spend the whole time in Kyoto and take day trips to to Nara and Miho Museum if you want or Himeji Castle. I spent two weeks in Kyoto and it wasn't nearly enough time. And October is a wonderful time to go there. Make sure you go to the area called Ohara when you're there. It's only about a 30 minute subway ride but it feels like you are in a totally different place (although it is technically still Kyoto).

I believe you have to take a bus to Ohara, not subway. I did it last March, it was about a 45 min. bus ride north from the bus stop across the street from Sanjo-Keehan station in eastern Kyoto. That day was a highlight of the entire Japan trip for me -- a few temples, lovely architecture and quiet neighborhoods to stroll in, and some nice shops along the little canal.

We took a train to Ohara and then walked for a mile or two -- walk was gorgeous. Ohara was also a highlight for me and is so often overlooked -- rarely even mentioned in guide books.

oh, maybe it was that private electric train (eizan?) line that you took? i recall that it runs to the north also...

t

There are no trains up to Ohara; only the bus (or a taxi if you're rich). The Eizan line goes to Kurama. Ohara's a gorgeous place if you can time it while the leaves are changing (late Oct. to mid Nov. - depends on the year).

I'm a 15 year resident of Kyoto and I've been trying to figure out where Glorialf could have gone to (a 30 min. train ride and then a mile or two walking... It can't be Ohara unless you live in an alternate universe). It could only be either Kurama via the Eizan Line or Arashiyama and Sagano via the Arashiyama Line. The Arashiyama Line is like a street car for part of the way.

BTW, Arashiyama and Sagano are almost as nice as Ohara - you can experience rustic atmosphere - and they are easier to get to. Sagano is the location of the famous bamboo forest that was used as a location for the upcoming movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" (whose Geisha look and act nothing like the real thing!).

xinghuo, is it possible to see the leaves changing colours on late Nov. anywhere in Japan?
And what about ski, is it possible on early/mid Dec.?
Thanks!

The leaves would be at their peak color around Nov. 18-21 in Kyoto and Nara. Miyajima would be another good place to go for the fall colors (not sure when, but would probably be the last week of November since it is south).

Skiing probably in Nagano, surely must be in Hokkaido by December (you can get cheap flights there). The JNTO website has info about skiing in Japan www.jnto.go.jp

Yes! Mr. Wonderful's estimate of the dates for fall leaves in the Kyoto area are better than mine. Just remember that higher elevations tend to be earlier. And as you go west the dates are later so that Miyajima is most likely best in early December. It's still hot here and it's been fairly dry, so I wonder what this year will be like...

Hoho! I just checked the official prediction for Miyajima and it's mid November this year. Mr. W was spot on for Kyoto, though. The latest dates I found were for Fukuoka and Kagoshima on Kyushu. Here's the leaf prediction site, but it's all in Japanese:
http://domestic.hotel.travel.yahoo.c...al/kouyou2005/

Duhhh! How embarrassing! I forgot to write that Fukuoka and Kagoshima are both listed as being best from late Nov. thru early Dec.

Thanks for the info, mrwunrfl and xinghuo!
I´m glad that I´ll be able to see leaves color changing even in Tokyo (Shinjukugyoen) probably until mid Dec.! I thought it would be possible only in the south at that time...
The leaf prediction site is very good and useful!
Thanks again!