Last Minute Trip to Japan- Ryokan Help
 

My boyfriend and I are taking a last minute trip to Japan next week.
Our itinerary is:
Kyoto- 12/20-12/24- Westin Miyako- any restaurant recommendations for beef and sushi or sake breweries?
Takayama- 12/24-26- recommendations for hida beef?
From Takayama I wanted to travel to Tokyo and then to Hakone to stay in a ryokan for one night on December 30th. Thus far all the ryokan I have emailed are booked. We would like to stay somewhere like Hakone Ginyu- but it is totally booked during our stay in Japan.
We can go straight from Takayama to Hakone and stay at Yama no Chaya- thoughts on this ryokan?
We are open to location- anywhere outside of Tokyo or near Takayama or Kyoto- would prefer something in the mountains with a view, private bath and great meal. Our budget is not Gora Kaden- but we can spend up to $1,000 for the night.
I need to make a reservation pretty quickly as many places are booked, so any recommendations are much appreciated.
Thank you!!!

There are literally thousands of ryokan throughout Japan but for most of them, if you don't read or speak Japanese, can be hard to book or find anything useful on the web. That said, we have used Japanese Guest Houses successfully many times in the past. Their site is easy to use and their answers are quick except on weekends when their offices are closed.

http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm

We have also used these sites to book ryokan and hotels for our previous Japan trips:

http://www.ryokancollection.com/eng/

http://www.japanican.com/index.aspx

http://travel.rakuten.com/

http://www.ryokan.or.jp/index_en.html

For Japanese restaurant suggestions you can look here for some suggestions:

http://www.gnavi.co.jp/en/articles/j..._cuisine/nabe/

Where you plan to go it will be colder than you think so dress accordingly.

Aloha!

Ohhhh....I have not stayed but have heard that Yama no Chaya is fabulous if you can get it at this late a date

http://www.ryokancollection.com/eng/...an=yamanochaya

Try Hanaougi in Takayama maybe. Ryokan and Hida beef in one shot.

Great suggestion by KJ as usual. Love the pictures of the Hida beef.....

http://www.hanaougi.co.jp/english/

Aloha!

awesome, thank you!!! would you suggest hanaougi over yama no chaya? its a difference of about $300...

Gora Kansuiro in Hakone has availability on December 25th. I would need to juggle our trip, but it could be done. Is it worth it?

Never been but looks good on the website and gets good reviews. I love the town of Gora and have been there several times. Go for it!

Aloha!

Regarding Kyoto, Hafu is a great restaurant for beef, and fairly priced. It is centrally located near the Okura hotel, about a 15 minute or so taxi from the Westin.

Incidentally, the Westin Miyako, a hotel I do not love, is not completely out of the way, but it is not central. It is well located for the Philosopher's Path and some temples, but you will need to hop in a taxi to get to much of the city. I much prefer the Okura's location. If you want to splurge at a Ryokan here, The Hiiragiya is a special experience. The Shiraume has a wonderful reputation as well, for a more economical price, and in a perfect location.

Regarding sushi in Kyoto, I do not think it is Kyoto's strong suit. Kappa Sushi, located on Pontocho alley is good to very good, and is a relatively good value. For higher end sushi, approximately $150-$200 per person, Matsumoto in Gion is a very nice, seven or eight seat place. Sushi Sato in Gion is also very good.