I'm planning a trip to Kyoto in Feb 2007. I'll be flying to Kansai airport and need to make my way to Kyoto city (will be staying at the Westin Miyako).

My preliminary research shows that it is cheaper buying the JR West-Kansai area 1-day pass at 2,000 yen vs. the limited express Haruka train ticket price of 2,980 yen for non-reserved seat. Is it possible for me to buy two of this 1-day JR West pass to cover my return journey from Kyoto to Kansai?

Once I arrive Kyoto station, I'll need to take the subway to Keage station. Is it a very long walk from the railway to the subway station within Kyoto station?

Thanks very much for any help!

If you buy the Kansai Area Pass on arrival, you can only buy one per stay. But there's nothing to stop you getting one (or two) in advance before arrival and activate them when you need them.
Your Haruka train will arrive on platform 30 on the west (Osaka) side of the station. You need to take an escalator up to the street level, walk across to the east (Tokyo) side (near Hotel Granvia Kyoto entrance) and go down the escalator and walk a bit for the subway tracks. Total transfer time is about 10 minutes on foot, though it's usually quite crowded.

Thanks very much for your helpful info, Alec.

I'm interested in classical music and wonder where I can find concert programmes in Kyoto during Feb 22-25.

Bonjour tkic2,

Depending on the time of arrival, the JR office at KIX can be rather crowded and you may spend quite some time waiting for your JRpass to be activated. I personally find the 980yens economy is not worth this, and prefer taking a ticket from the vending machines in front of the wickets.

As for classical music concerts, you can check http://www.kyotoguide.com/ (Kyoto Visitor's Guide)
http://raku.city.kyoto.jp/sight_e.phtml (Kyoto tourism site)
http://kyotojoho.co.jp/english/ (Kyoto events)

the TIC at KIX and at Kyoto station will also have infos (and beautiful free A4 posters that I always take for use in decorating boxes, in origami, etc.).

If you go to Tokyo, go visit Yamaha exhibition center in Ginza, where you can not only admire (and play) most of their musical instruments, but buy records and music scores, and they will be more than happy to help you get tickets for some concerts (and they have English speaking staff).

Thanks so much for the links, Florence.

I am also interested in pottery. Besides the "teapot lane" near Kiyomizu temple, I'm thinking of going to Shigaraki. Has anyone been there before? Is it worth going (I've been to Mashiko and Tamba)?

Re: Temples in Kyoto

Other than the Kiyomizu temple, which temple would you recommend that is not too ornate, but has gardens and landscaping that still look nice in winter (late Feb)?

I will be in Kyoto from Feb 21-26 and found the following from one of Florence's links:

FEB.25
Kitano-Shrine
This shrine is well known for its plum blossoms.
Memorial service for Sugawara Michizane, 9th century scholar who loved plum blossoms, is held on this day. Outdoor tea ceremony performed by Geiko and Maiko girls is the highlight of the festival (From 10:00AM to 3:00PM ¥1,500).
Monthly Flea Market is also held on this day.

Does the tea ceremony actually last 5 hours? Are the shrine and flea market worth seeing?

Many thanks for any help!

Re: Markets in Kyoto

Between Nishiji market and the following:

Kyoto Morning Market
FEB.24-25 9:30AM - 4:00PM
Okazaki-Park and Heian-Shrine
A big market (vegetables, handicrafts, etc) will be held around Okazaki Koen-Park and Heianjingu-Shrine.

Which is better?

I have been to the similar market at Toji shrine on the 21st. It is a wonderful, interesting market. Lots of food stalls w/unique foods, kitchen items, many good quality handcrafted items (ceramics, jewelry, basketware, woodcrafting, etc.) and my favorite, the kimono jacket lady where I have gotten great kimono jackets for $10. Also a few clothing vendors w/really nice old vintage kimonos and mens Japanese robes.

I have always wanted to go to Kitano market but haven't been in Kyoto on the 25th yet. If there is a plum festival as you describe on Feb 25 I would not miss that if I was in town. I think that would trump the one you describe on the 24th for me.

Thanks for sharing your market experience, emd. I think I will go to the Kitano one.

BTW, which temple did you enjoy most in Kyoto? I've only been to Kiyomizu about 5 years ago. Don't like overly onate ones, and am looking for one with nice garden and landscaping.

A lot of people recommend going to Nijo Castle, but for someone who has been to Himeiji Castle, is it still worth seeing? Thanks for any guidance.

Shoren-in, a small distance down from Chion-in (also good gardens but bigger; The parts of Last Samurai when they were at the temple complex was filmed at Chion-in) at the end of Higshiyama, is my absolute favorite. Shoren-in has wonderful gardens, and bamboo grove along the edge in back. Smaller shrine, but very cool and not over-run w/tourists. Great "gong" bell that you can ring (you can't do this at many other temples). Great koi pond. Serenity right in busy Higashiyama.

Pics of Chion-in gardens:

http://tinyurl.com/toeqb

See great pics of the gardens of Shoren-in here:

http://tinyurl.com/vd56h

These two are close together. You can visit both easily.

Thanks for the temple recommendation and pictures!

Do you happen to know where I can find affordable shojin-ryori in Kyoto? Bentos are fine too.

Re: Prepaid card for Kyoto buses/subway

May I know what happens if do not have enough balance in the Traffica Kyoto Card (¥1,000) for a bus/subway ride?

If there isn't enough balance for the minimum fare, you won't be able to enter the ticket gate at subway with it. Instead, you have to go to a ticket machine and buy a ticket, using your card in part-payment. On the city bus, just put the cash balance in the payment box by the driver.

Our favorite gardens are at Ginkakuji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion).
The grounds are absoultely beautiful.

The gardens at Kinkakuji are nice too. If you are looking for nice gardens, I recommend Ginkakuji. You can also walk the Philosophers walk from there.

Thanks for the tips on prepaid card & gardens. Much appreciated!

I have another question re Nijo Jinya (inn with secret passageways). Has anyone visited it before? I read that one can engage a volunteer English guide by calling the ISC. Do these guides work on weekends?

Has anyone been to Kayabuki-no-Sato (village with thatched roofs) in Miyama Town? Is it easy to get there by public transport from Kyoto city? How long is the journey and what's the cost? Where can I get the time table? Many thanks in advance for any help!

I'm planning a 1/2 day trip to Kyoto's countryside and wonder where I should go to. I'm not into temples, but would like to see some rural scenery.

Between Arashiyama, Ohara, and Uji, which place would people recommend? Thanks very much for any tips and have a happy new year!

Yes, visiting Nijo-jo is an excellent idea even if you have been to Himeji-jo. The two castles are VERY different. Nijojo is unique. Tokugawa Ieyasu was making a statement.

If OP bought passes for both of the trips to/from the airport at the same time then the savigs would be 3,960 yen per person for one wait.

The following info from japan-guide.com implies that it may be possible to buy multiple Kansai Area Passes if you purchase vouchers outside of Japan and then get them validated on arrival. Have any of you done this?

<i>Points of Sale

The JR West Rail Pass can be purchased through travel agencies outside of Japan and at major JR railway stations and travel agencies in the Kansai region.

When purchasing the pass outside of Japan, you will receive an exchange order which has to be exchanged into an actual rail pass after your arrival in Japan and within three months of the purchase.

When purchasing the pass inside Japan, you are limited to the purchase of one pass, and have to show your passport and your return air ticket.<i></i></i>

I meant &quot;exchanged&quot; (voucher for pass), not &quot;validated&quot;.