We will be traveling to Japan in early April. We have already been to Tokyo, but we will stay five days in Tokyo for business reasons, then we hoped to visit Kyoto for 6 nights. I have contacted 30 hotels and every hotel is booked between April 5 and April 11, 2017. Does anyone have any recommendations for an alternate location in Japan to visit for six day? So many to choose from! I am, of course, gutted that we can't find accommodations in Kyoto. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

You could try Osaka as its a bigger city and only 20ish minutes by train from Kyoto. But you better get started. As I'm sure you know, you'll be there for Sakura and I'm not surprised you're having difficulties. I booked my Kyoto lodging for this late Marxh/early April back in April 2016.

Yes, I agree with MinnBeef - Osaka is quite close and there are several different train lines you can take depending on where you are going in either city, and travel between them is not expensive....

I agree with MinnBeef and Mara that Osaka is the most likely option as an alternative to Kyoto that lets you actually visit Kyoto, but you might also check Nara. I'm sure it would also be booked, but no harm in looking, right?

If the Kyoto area doesn't work, maybe Kanazawa and Takayama? Maybe 3 nights in Kanazawa and 2 or 3 (depending on your interests) for Takayama? And maybe you could add a night in Nikko (which has far more than can be seen in a day trip from Tokyo)?

Good luck!

You might also try Kobe if you want to be in the Kyoto area, but perhaps you would have better luck on one of the other islands? Or I found Okayama a good base for day trips.

Thank you so much for all your help. I wish I had the luxury of booking ahead, but my husband's business meetings in Tokyo were just confirmed last week. I am now looking into Osaka hotels, as suggested and if I can't find accommodations there, I will try the other cities suggested. Thanks again!

Can you stay in something other than a hotel? There are plenty of homeaway, vrbo, airbnb, etc. lodgings in Kyoto.

BigRuss makes a good point. There are minishku in and around Kyoto. Family run guesthouses. Some of them come up if you search J apaneseguesthouses.com. I know there are a lot of them in Ohara, just outside Kyoto as I saw them while walking through the neighborhoods there. But Osaka might be an easier commute to Kyoto.

Also, try to see a Baseball game at Osaka Dome. Esp. If the Hanshin Tigers are playing! Very different than seeing a game at Tokyo Dome.

Thanks very much for all your help. I have booked a hotel in Osaka, but will continue to check for cancellations for Kyoto hotels. Thanks for the heads up, emd3, about the baseball games! Arigatou, everyone!

Congrats on finding a hotel!