Hello

We are planning to travel to Japan and will be including Kyoto as a 4 day stopover.

As we will be spending most of our time sightseeing at the temples, are we better off with accommodation near the temples or close to the main JR station ?


Thanks

I chose to stay near the intersection of Shijo and Kawaramachi - there are a lot of interesting restaurants and shops around there, its an easy walk to Pontocho and Gion and other interesting areas, and there are several different subway and train stations that are readily assessible there. I know that many people prefer to be near the main JR station, but I personally found the area near the station far less interesting. Hope that helps!

whats you budget? give us a little something about how you like to travel and suggestions will follow

Aloha!

also, who is "we"-- just two adults or are there kids involved, etc.

Hi

My wife and I went to Kyoto a couple of years back. I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/japan_kyoto.htm . Maybe you can find some useful information there

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

I am 100% with <b>kja</b> on this: I much prefer the area around Kawaramachi-dori than the area around the train station.

Kyoto is a wonderful city for walking around. Whether in a top-end hotel or Ryokan (Okura, Hiiragiya, Tawaraya), a mid-level hotel (Fujiya, for example), or any of the lower-end places, you can step out of your accommodation near Kawaramachi and be just a few steps from Gion, the Teramachi pedestrian mall, Ponto-cho, and the terrific environment of Kyoto.

If you stay at the Granvia, you're almost certain to walk out of your hotel and jump on a bus or train.

Mind you, it's no burden to stay in either area, but I find the more northern location to be much more welcoming.

I've stayed at both the Westin and the Okura. Westin is right in between two of the larger sets of temples, the temples in Higashiyama and the temples on the Path of Philosophy. You can walk out your door, turn left and walk two blocks, take another left, and you are at the &quot;bottom&quot; of the Higashiyama area and can walk by all the temples all the way up to Kiyomizudera.

If you cross the street in front of the Westin you will be walking into the Path of Philosophy, which goes from Nanzenji all the way up to the Silver Pavillion.

However, Westin area is a very quiet place to be at night.

The Okura is much better located for night activity. Cross the street in front of the hotel, and you are walking towards the Shijo area and downtown.

Both hotels are next to or on top of subway stations. Both hotels and areas have their advantages.

Personally, I wouldn't stay at the train station if I was going to spend my time in Kyoto (as opposed to taking a few days trips). The train station area is not as nice as far as I am concerned. The only reason I'd stay there is if I was doing day trips away from Kyoto and maybe also going to Toji market on the 21st of the month to do lots of shopping, as it is in walking distance to the train station area. But lots of people love the Granvia hotel which is on top of the train station.

just remember to book early during the peak periods (about 3 mths in advance) during november and around sakura season