After living in Korea for the past two years, we've decided to take a quick trip to Japan. We don't want to go to Tokyo, but are flying to Osaka and would like some help planning our time in Kyoto and nara. Thanks for any input!

I forgot to mention it will be at the end of September! kp

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...ation=kyoto@86
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/r...oto/index.html
http://kaiwai.city.kyoto.jp/raku/mod...lish/index.php
http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.ph...57&pID=296
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html
http://www.kyotoguide.net/

Hi

My wife and I went to Kyoto a couple of years back. Here is a trip report with some pictures and links: http://gardkarlsen.com/japan_kyoto.htm . Maybe you can find some useful info there to start with

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

If this is your first trip to Japan, then perhaps you should spend all your time in Kyoto. Nara is not far but it may still be exhausting to travel much within a short period of time. Alternatively, leave Nara for the last day and then decide in the last minute whether you are up for it.

I just learned of the "kawadoko" cuisine served in the Kyoto area in the summer. Kawadoko means "served over the river." It's a type of light summer food served on tatami mats placed right over the river bed or by waterfalls. You can find this in Kyoto (by the main river) and also in the Kibune area. From photos in the web, it seems that it's nicer in the Kibune area. I believe kawadoko cuisine is served till the end of Sept (reservations are needed). The Kibune and Kurama area itself (north of Kyoto) is certainly worth a visit.

http://www.kyotojoho.co.jp/english/e2007_09/index.html

http://kibunesou.hotwire.jp/eng/

http://www.jal.com/world/en/guidetoj.../see/northern/

You can find more cool pictures about this in Flickr.com or other websites. They all look fun!!