HELP!
I will be in Kyoto at the end of June and would like to travel from Kyoto to Nara. The trains that I have found are very tough and all take 4-5 hours.
1. Is there a local train that I can catch in the early morning?
2. Is there a bus that I can catch in the early morning?
3. What would the taxi fare?
I believe that My E-mail address is in my profile, if not, please respond here and/or to [email protected]
Thanks,
Jon

Hi, where did you get 4/5-hr train connections? Try the following site. It takes just about one hour and there are trains from 5.30 am.

http://www.hyperdia.com/

hi kappa,
I was just looking at this thread to see if there was some help for the new Osaka cruise thread and saw your last comment. I think I know the answer to your question.

On the English hyperdia page enter Kyoto to Nara and you will see that on the Search Conditions dialog that the default Destination is listed as Narai. You have to choose Nara from the drop down to see the correct schedule. Jon was probably looking at the Kyoto- Narai schedule where some of the trips are over 4 hours.

Hi Mrwunrful, thanks. Interesting to know. This seems an error that doesn't happen on the Japanese site. Anyway I think I didn't need to bother with this question as the poster who asked it never came back.

I will be in Osaka in Oct sailing on the Princess. I'm planning to arrive 2 days before the cruise. Maybe you can help me with finding a hotel with easy access to shopping, resturants and transfer to the ship. With the limited time,is it worth spending a day in Kyoto or Nara?

KimJapan,
I too am a Hilton points hound (Platinum) and am cashing in on quite a few for my August trip to Japan. You made a comment some time ago on this thread regarding the number of points you typically use for the Osaka Hilton as 20k or less. When I booked I think it was 35k (and the hilton.com website states that rate). Do you have some sort of secret for booking at the lower point level?
We'll be sure to firmly request the executive level upgrade, thanks for the tip.
Any similar advice for the Tokyo Hilton (Shinjuku)?
Thanks!
Jeff

I was talking about money, not points - maybe I made a slip and wrote points, but I really mean money. Typically, I can get the Osaka Hilton for under 20,000 yen, so I don't use points there - for me, it seems better to spend under $200.00 for the room, get the points, then use the points on more expensive rooms. During August, Osaka should be pretty empty. We've stayed during the first week and the last week over the years and it's been no more than half full, with rates around 15,000 yen/night. The obon time will lhave obon specials, too, which are often very, very good, but not on the internet unless you go to the hotel's own site in Japanese. A phone call directly to the hotel will get you all the local special rates as well...just be sure you ask specifically for ALL the specials and details, as they aren't forthcoming with them a lot of the time.

They do upgrade you if you are gold or plat there, but they will first offer you breakfast coupons for the restaurant and balk a bit before upgrading...at least that's always been the case with us. I then ask nicely for the upgrade instead and tell them I don't mind waiting for a room if they aren't ready yet. Don't forget about spouse stays free, so you only need to book a room for 1 person...there is a significant price difference. In the comments section I write something like HHonors Gold/spouse stays free/upgrade to best available.

Shinjuku...same as Osaka..ask nicely for the upgrade and you should be fine.