Another hotel question for you. We are using Jalpak travel and received an email today that our rooms are all reserved but we need to send them a check for payment then after they deposit it they will send us our hotel vouchers. This is my first time using a travel agency for international travel and that makes me nervous. We looked into booking the same rooms on our own and they were not available for the Kyoto postion of our trip. Any insight into this tye of transaction is greatly appreciated.

Aren't Jalpak part of JAL airlines? If so, I'd think you'd be pretty safe paying them! Why not ask to pay by Visa or Amex? Credit cards often offer some consumer protection.

Find out what their cancellation policy is and then you should consider getting trip cancellation insurance -- just make sure you get it immediately after making your first payment to insure that it will cover pre-exisiting conditions. Depending on the plan you'll have 10-14 days to get it.

I am not sure if they are part of JAL, I think I read they are part of Japan Leasing Corp (?). We have tried twice to offer up of credit card and both times they write back saying they work on a voucher system only.

I will look into the trip cancellation insurance. Good tip, thanks!

I agree with glorialf re: travel insurance not particularly because of that vendor but from personal experience as I had to cancel a Paris trip and lost an apartment deposit.

Concerning hotel bookings, I am in the process of booking in Kyoto and usually the hotel does not even ask for a credit card number. That was also my experience when I went to Tokyo two years ago. I don't use a TA but book on my own

Most hotels in Japan don't require a credit card guarantee for direct bookings. Virtually all agencies require payment in full in advance and work on a voucher system. Jalpak should take a credit card...I'm not sure why they are not. Is there a chance that you are booking through a Japanese office located in Japan? If so, it may be that they do not process foreign credit cards and/or they do not process credit cards unless it is in person.

Often, but not always, the travel agent's or online booking agent's prices are higher than the price you can get by booking directly. The cheapest direct booking rates are often on the hotel's own website, and are often in Japanese only. Toyoko Inns are one chain of busiiness hotels that offer the same price in Japanese and in English, and they are very reasonable. Tokyu and APA hotels are priced very well, too...but not in English.

If you choose to book directly, you won't need to pay in advance. If you choose to use an agency, you will. I've never heard of anyone having a voucher that did not work, and I have used vouchers on a number of occasions when my travel was paid for by my company and booked through the company agency.

If you choose to pay in advance, do know the cancellation and change policies well, and do have cancellation insurance coverage or you may stand to lose a lot of money should you need to cancel for any reason.

I have been reserving online, and everyone except the KANAZAWA MIYAKO HOTEL have asked for my credit card N° to reserve.

I too would not like to send a check, refunds could get messy.

Interesting that you've been asked for a credit card. Where are you reserving? I know that Tokyu, APA, Hilton and the few ryokan I've reserved do not require credit cards for reservations at all.

I live in Kanazawa. Are you aware that the Miyako is not really near any tourist things in the city except for the station? You will need to bus/taxi to just about everywhere unless you are a really keen walker.

I should give you some alternatives to the Miyako should you wish to within walking distance of things. The Tokyu Excel...has very good prices in Japanese and very high prices in English. Should you want to reserve here, I can help you. No credit card is required. The APA Chuo is the newest in the area, and though the rooms are small the location is excellent, and the bath on the roof is excellent as well. The Tokyu is often below 10,000/night/breakfast for 2 people. The APA can be gotten for 6000/night/breakfast for 2 people, but not always.

Thanks KimJapan; those prices are much better than what I was quoted. I thought it would be easier to be by the station and bus depot since we will be arriving by train at 2 taking the loopbus to the garden and then walking back. We leave the next morning by bus to Ogimachi.

I do realise that there is more to see but I thought a short stay was better than no stay... Please do not be offended =)

A short stay is better than nothing. Taking the loop bus to Kenrokuen is a good idea, taxi would be much quicker, which might matter with your limited time. Walking back might be farther than you had in mind, and there isn't much to see other than 4 lane city roads between Kenrokuen and the station. From Kenrokuen, take a taxi to the Higashi Chaya - not far, but you don't have time to lose your way or walk. Wander around there, see a traditional tea house if it's still open, but at least enjoy the beauty of the buildings. Do a little shopping. Maybe you'll even find someplace you like for dinner...beware, though, some places are expensive. Then take a taxi or the loop bus from there back.

I stayed at the Tokyu Excel and thought the location was great. We took a short taxi to and from the station and walked everywhere else -- easy walk to the gardens, old section etc.

I stayed at the APA Chuo. Had a semi-double in a small room. The bed was ok for me but I think it would be very tough for two people. The double may not be much bigger, so you might want a twin room if you stay there. Easy enought to get there by bus from the front of the station, if you know what bus to use.

perkinsclan, are you staying overnight in Shirakawago?