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Kyoto accomodations all booked?
My husband and I are traveling to Japan for the first time this November. We were planning on going to Kyoto for 4 days (arriving November 8th, checking out November 12th). I have been trying to book a hotel or Ryokan but every place I've tried is booked. Have I missed the window of opportunity to stay in Kyoto? If so, are there other places we could go for those days? (Maybe stay in Nara and go into Kyoto? Somewhere else outside Kyoto?) Our itinerary for those days is still flexible but we are flying out of KIX airport on the 12th so somewhere in that area is preferred.
We are hoping to spend about $150USD/night but could go a little higher, if need be. We'd prefer clean and friendly service but are pretty open otherwise. Thanks very much in advance for any advice. |
Try googling Hirota Guest House
We stayed there in March and it was great. If you can get the cottage in the back - even better. It's 9,000 yen per person and you'll have lots of room and your own bathroom if you can get that. When I reserved I called her first. Her English is very good. Anyone else? Good luck! |
Thanks, Angethereader. I will check it out.
I am also thinking of just booking through a JTB office when we get there. I recall reading that they hold back a lot of the rooms. Is this a foolish plan? I know it's high season so I don't want to get stuck without a room or spend he better part of a day looking. Or wind up with something disappointing. Has anyone had success booking upon arrival in Kyoto in high-season? Is it better to do the legwork now? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks again! |
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oops posted too soon
seems asiarooms.com has some available |
You might want to contact a JTB office in the US. Do know that JTB rates are high, thouogh.
You could visit virtually any travel agent when you arrive in Japan and get a room...you will have to pay in advance and you will be issued a voucher. You could wait until you get to Kyoto and have the tourist information help you find a place...in that case it would almost certainly be a standard business hotel. There are so many, many business hotels that have virually zero presense on the web in English...you won't be roomless. A business hotel room is small and often smelling of smoke (though not always), but it is a room. You could try http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/ It is not a comprehensive listing by any means, but it is a site that does not charge higher rates for being in English as so many of the other ones do (including hotels' own websites). The Granvia is showing available on the calendar, but unavailable in the booking engine. You might call them directly. |
Thanks so much, all. Very helpful. It's reassuring to know that we won't be roomless, worst-case.
Do all of the travel agencies in Japan steer you towards standard business hotels? We're going to be in Tokyo beforehand so perhaps we will try to book something for Kyoto in Narita (but if they are going to offer standard business hotels, I'm thinking I should just do it here and save myself the time/stress). After reading through these boards, I am thinking of breaking the bank for one night and trying to stay in a high end ryokan. (Of course, that will greatly reduce the budget for the other 3 nights but it seems worth it.) I have requested one night through Japaneseguesthouses.com so we'll see what they say. Perhaps I am too late or they require more than a night's stay? In any case, I am sure we'll enjoy our stay no matter where we wind up. Seems like an amazing place. Thanks again for the invaulable advice. |
Agents don't steer you toward business hotels unless that is what your budget allows and/or that is what is available. Getting a good hotel for 15,000 yen in peak foliage time in Kyoto just isn't likely to happen...that's why I said standard business hotel...mainly your budget.
During your time period for Kyoto, your availability problem is the Saturday night. Saturday night is booked, completely, in most places. Perhaps rework your itinerary to be in Kyoto either before or after November 12 so the Saturday night problem doesn't keep you out of the nicer places. A gorgeous ryokan is a great experience. Your experience is much enhanced if you choose carefully and know what to expect. There are some in depth posts here about ryokan that a search should pull up for you. Splurging for one night in a ryokan is a good idea. Ryokan stays are often only one night...so no problem there. Weekdays are less expensive than weekends. |
One more thing. If you decide to use asiarooms.com, know that every single time I've checked rates with them for hotels in Japan, the asiarooms.com rate has been twice or three times the direct booking rate or rakuten.co.jp rate. I really do not recommend them.
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Thanks, KimJapan. So helpful. Is it possible to book directly with the nice ryokans or do you recommend sticking with japaneseguesthouses.com? I have requested Hiiragiya and the like.
Perhaps we will stay a night in a nice ryokan (if possible), 2 nights elsewhere in Kyoto, and the Saturday night in Nara, assuming they have more availability than Kyoto. Then leave for KIX from Nara on Sunday afternoon. |
Unless it has changed, the TIC office near Kyoto station has a folder full of descriptions of hotels and Inns. They will let you choose from there, then call and see if rooms are available. They won't just assign you somewhere, although you mmight not have a whole lot of choices.
We have had some very nice hotels and inns thru them ( and in other towns as well) the times we arrived without plans. |
You can book directly with ryokan, or you can use an agent like Japaneseguesthouses.com. Japaneseguesthouses.com has a very limited selection, but if you find somewhere you like there you could try inquiring directly and through japaneseguesthouses.com and see what you get in terms of response. A problem you may have is language, as many places do not have English language web pages.
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lcuy:
Is it cheaper when you book thru the TIC? I've always wondered if they sell vacant rooms cheaply,fleece you, or give you a decent deal. And yes the TIC was open outside Kyoto station in March '06. Aloha! |
In Kanazawa, the rooms are listed by rack rate. The TIC does not know what is available or not on any given day. When you ask about rooms, they show you the choices and then they will call the ones you are interested in, one by one, until something is available. Sometimes the rate is cheaper than what they have listed, but usually it's standard published rack rate.
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Sometimes we've gotten a great room for much less than comparable hotels, other times it is just rack rate.
We leave a lot of unscheduled nights when in Japan, but I usually have a list of possibilities that I checked out online before we started our trip. The beauty is they do the calling and have always found us something nice at a fair price, sometimes for less than I found it earlier. You could decline it if you got there and it wasn't as nice as you hoped, but we've always been pleasantly surprised at how well the system works, especially when a town is busy. |
The APA Kyoto Gion Hotel is well located and in your price range.
I suggest looking for a nice ryokan that is not in Kyoto. I believe, tho have no proof, that you might get a nicer place for the price that way. Stay there on the 12th. |
Did you check the Hyatt? I just got back from a 4 night stay there. The rate was $150 per night. It's an unbelievable deal (maybe one of the best in Japan!) and I cannot recommend it enough. Let me know if you go and I will give you some advice on rooms. Honestly, I cannot say enough great things about it.
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Thanks so much for all the great advice. I will check out the suggestions.
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AJ605, since you are just back from the Hyatt, would you mind giving us all a bit more of a report on it? I want to stay there on my next trip, esp. if the rate is like the one you got. What tips can you give us on this new hotel?
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I was totally impressed! It definitely set the bar for the rest of the hotels on our trip. First, architectually it is beautiful...sleek, stylish and warm all at the same time. The rooms are a good size and the bath/shower area is wonderful. It's as nice as the best hotels i have stayed in. The gym is clean and has everything you need... a good size. And, the spa is great too. If you would like to use a computer they have free loaner laptops for guests. We found the concierge service to be one of the best during our trip - so helpful in reservations, directions, really anything we needed. Finally, since it is a new hotel the manager invited guests to complimentarty drinks/appetizers in the evening. He and his co-worker spent about 1.5 hours with us talking about their favorite things to do in kyoto, etc. He even gave us a copy of his favorite guidebook of the city. Also, we found the location to be perfect. Not only is it close to the train station, town center and gion but there are numerous buses that stop very close (some in front) to the hotel. If I went back to Kyoto I would most definitely return.
Downsides - 1)no pool, 2)waiters need a little more training (one morning our breakfast bill arrived and it was $70 for coffee and cereal...the waiter didn't understand that coffee is unlimited) and know minimal english, 3)the bar and the continental brkft were great but i was disappointed with my meal at the japanese restaurant. very expensive for what i had. Tips - 1) request a room on a higher flr overlooking the garden. 2) book online at hyatt.com - that's where i found the best rate. |
Thanks very much, great info. The Westin Miyako has a great indoor pool, big w/some lap lanes. But it also had the problem w/some employees not speaking the best English. And they never have the rate you got, that is for sure! Plus I think the Hyatt is better located.
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The Hyatt has rooms available on Nov 8, 9, and 10, but is sold out on the 11th (that pesky Saturday night). The rate is also around 30,000 yen..not close to $150.00. They do offer a rate of ¥19,000 or so for some nights during other periods...for their lowest level room, plus 5% tax plus 10% service breakfast not included. Their best bed and breakfast rate seems to be ¥24,000 plus tax and service.
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Thanks for checking into things for me, KimJapan. I am so appreciative of the people on this forum. Such wonderful, heplful resources.
Speaking of wonderful and helpful, I heard back from Japanseseguesthouses.com and they were able to find a room for us for all 4 nights at the Ryokan Rakucho for about 9,000yen/night (roughly $75USD). I have asked them if they could find a higher-end full service ryokan for either the first or last night in rural Kyoto or Nara.(Hiirigaya was all booked.) Budget-wise, it would work out great because Rakucho is very reasonable and then we can splurge for one night. My fingers are crossed. (I specifically asked them to check Shouesen, Kamura Onsen and Kankaso so if anyone has any experience, I would love to hear about it.) Thanks again! |
http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/rakucho-ryokan/indx.html is the Rakucho's home page in English. They have some pictures and rates etc. Note that no meals are served, so your ryokan experience would be missing one very important component...dinner service. It would be a good idea to stay there for 3 nights and then move to a really nice place.
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Rakucho looks like a minshuku, not a ryokan.
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I've got to agree mrwnrfl...It's an affordable option for sure, but expect not much more than a futon on the floor. It will not be one of those fabulous ryokan experiences with wonderful service and beautiful rooms. But it will be inexpensive.
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The Shousen looks nice and so does the Kurama Onsen ryokan. Both of those ryokan also have onsen water.
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Hi all,
I thought I would respond to this thread as I am having almost the exact same problem as deegmon - same time and same place! Deegmon, I would be very interested to hear how your efforts to find a nice ryokan in the areas surrounding Kyoto eventuated? Would any one have any advice for our itinerary which we have roughly planned as follows: Day 1 - Osaka (confirmed) Day 2 - Osaka (confirmed) Day 3 - Nagoya (confirmed) Day 4 - Nagoya (confirmed) Day 5 - Kyoto? (No bookings due to Saturday night?) Day 6 - Kyoto ryokan (confirmed) Day 7 - Osaka? Day 8 - Osaka? Days 1 to 4 are fixed but day 5 onwards are flexible and can be changed (although we fly out on day 9 from Osaka airport). The Kyoto ryokan is not ideal (does not include dinner) although it is within our budget. We would also like to fit in a day trip to Hiroshima possibly on day 7 or 8. Would welcome anyone's thoughts or advice. |
If you are considering the Kurama Onsen for a night, you might also be interested in trying Seryo in Ohara. It is about the same distance outside of Kyoto (either by electric train or bus, like Kurama) and Ohara is a very nice place. Many people do a day trip there, like Kurama. Kurama is known more for the hiking trail and that onsen, while Ohara has some temples and a nice little shopping street on a water canal going up towards the temples, in the area where Seryo is. There is also a little town area w/some shops in Ohara.
http://www.kyotoguesthouses.com/gues...n.php?GH_ID=63 |
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Many thanks emd, it looks really nice!
Is anyone familiar with the town of Ise on the coast? I found the Yukinosato on the web but not sure if it is worthwhile travelling to that area. |
I really want to go to Ise on my next trip.
See here: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4310.html and here: http://www.isejingu.or.jp/english/index.htm and look at this place, it's where I want to stay: stayhttp://www.oishiya.co.jp/english/index.html: |
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The Yukinosato ryokan in Mie-ken looks nice, if that is what you mean. It is a <i>modern</i> ryokan:
http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/mie/yukinosato.htm I visited the Jingu in Ise-shi on a day trip from Nagoya. On hyperdia it looks like you have to change trains to get there but you don't. With a JR Pass you pay a supplement to the conductor (500 yen, IIRC) on board the train that goes thru to Ise. It is an easy walk from the station to Geku. On the way you should stop at the used "vintage?" clothing store. It's on the right side of the street that goes directly to the shrine area. I left my umbrella on the train and stopped there to buy one but they didn't have any. But the guy went in the back and brought out an umbrella and gave it to me. So, stop by and maybe give him some business. The Geku is in a forested park, mossy with tall old trees. After walking into the park for a couple of minutes you come across a couple of buildings. In the first one there is a video presentation. That room is connected to a shrine area of some kind, but don't go in there as the attendants out front will get upset and chase you down. You can't see all of the main shrine. There are a couple of fences/walls so you don't get very close. While I was there a shinto priest counseled a woman (I noticed, was not watching) and then escorted into the shrine "compound". Definitely worth a visit. From the Geku you cross the street and catch a bus to the Naiku. The guard in the parking lot directed me. The Naiku is a big deal. Lots of tour buses. This place is obviously very important to the Japanese. My visit there was just as much about my experiencing them experiencing the place as it was about me experiencing the place. It was mid-week in April and pouring down rain, but this was not going to deter anyone. It was definitely an important visit for many people (and there were quite a few despite the conditions) and they were intent on getting to the shrine. I had been to Izumo Taisha on a previous visit and it didn't seem like the visitors were quite as serious (Izumo Taisha is more of a place for wedding ceremonies). Very pretty park with towering trees and the shrine, mostly hidden, is beautiful and mysterious. The bus back to the station was just a bit tricky. It stops at the Kintetsu station but not in front of the JR station. There was some kind of construction at/near the station so it was just a bit confusing. Would be a good idea to make it clear to the driver that your stop is at the JR eki, so that he can give you heads up. It just occurred to me that you could tell the driver your destination and then ask which stop numbah it is by pointing to the stop number board at the front of the bus. |
Hi Jiamei, I definitely empathize with your predicament. We finally just got everything settled with Kyoto thanks to the very helpful japaneseguesthouses.com staff. We are going to stay in Kankasa in Nara on Wednesday night (blows the budget) and then stay in Ryokan Rakucho thursday-sunday (helps get the budget back on track). If you have not contacted them, it's definitely worthwhile. It took a while and they were not the places I had initialy chosen, but they look great for our purposes and the staff was very persistant even when I said no to some of the places they suggested. (I can't do cats.) I definitely feel like they went above and beyond to help us out.
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Thank you all for your responses. I am fairly new here and finding everyone to be so kind and helpful!
Really, any of those places look fine and I even don't mind the sound of the Ise area as something a bit different. I suppose it depends now on what's available and what best suits us and our budget. Probably prefer to stay closer to Kyoto so we can spend less time travelling but we'll see..? Deegmon, glad you got yourself sorted. It's driving me crazy! Yes I have used Japanese Guesthouses. They found me the Kyoto ryokan for the Sunday which has been confirmed although I am now thinking of changing it to Saturday if I can and then getting something nicer for the Sunday. I feel bad about doing this as they seemed to have gone to a bit of trouble already to find the current one but I think we have a better chance of finding something this way. Isn't it the case, the Saturday nights are more popular and they cost more as well? |
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userful site: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html
Deegmon, please report back after your trip. I'm planning to go to Tokyo & Kyoto late this year or early next year. Thanks! |
You might try Holiday Inn in Kyoto. Stayed there a few years ago. Had to get on bus and it was about a 30 minute ride. And to get to any of the sights or shopping it was getting on the bus. But the 2 day pass is well worth it and the bus stops everywhere.
If you book 14 days advance the prices are reasonable. Its worth a try. We just got back and had to re-tool our itinerary to go to Kyoto before Oct. and not on a weekend and got a nice business hotel called Kyoto Central Inn right in the middle of town. But they were booked for October. |
melen- I've been recommending Kyoto Central Inn for a long time, but you are the only other person I've seen who has stayed there. Did you have a western or japanese style room? Do you remember what you paid?
I love the location, and always stay there when I don't want to spring for a Ryokan. |
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