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Celeste · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:09 pm Post subject: Going to Kyoto - suggestions?

So my husband and I are finally taking the trip to Kyoto. We can both get a bit of Nenkyu at the school year break at the end of March/beginning of April. I have a few questions for all who have been, or those who live there (PAULH if I am not mistaken?)

I am coming from Fukuoka. I have the options of taking the Shinkansen or the overnight Ferry from Kitakyushu to Osaka and then train it to Kyoto. Has anyone ever taken this ferry? (this is my husband's idea- I am skeptical!) How long does it actuallly take, how much does it cost to actually have a stateroom, and are there amenities such as restaurants on board?

Next, accomodation! What are some mid range western style hotels that people have had good experiences with? (By mid range I am thinking 8000-12000 per night for the both of us)

Does anyone know of any antique shops or print shops where I can get a nice print or silkscreen of Japanese scenes or a place that specializes in ink drawings? I want to get one really nice souvenir of Japan before I go.

Finally, what are the sights that I must see, and which ones would you fine people consider overrated?

Thanks in advance.

Celeste

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

jar · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 39 Location: UK

Well well it's Celeste! This is Justin (wee guy, dreads, left Fuk. last year). How are you and Stephen doing?

If youre willing to travel by local train the seishun ju-hachi kippu ticket is dirt cheap. Expect to use up a day travelling though...

Say Hi to Stephen and anyone else you see from the old office.

Take care

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Here's a great chain of hotels I've stayed in before but not in Kyoto. The rooms are small, but clean and nice.
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/

I love Kyoto, my favourite place in Japan.
You must see:
Kiyumizudera
Gingakuji and the Philosopher's Walk area
Kingakuji
Nijo-jo
Wander around the side streets of Gion and old Kyoto

Have fun.
See you later, I think my wife is in early labour. Probably should get off the computer now.

Willy_In_Japan · Joined: 20 Jul 2004 Posts: 329

I once went from Hiroshima to Beppu in Kyushu overnight on the Ferry. We got the Mat accomodation with a group of people rather than a separate cabin, and didn't get much sleep. It was however, a cool way to travel. If you are near Beppu, I recommend going to Hiroshima, seeing the museum there and then taking the train to Kyoto from there.

Also, in Kyoto, I recommend the Emperors Palace and Kinkakuji as Must sees. Just my 2 cents.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

don`t forget sanjusangendo with the 1000 statues.
Gion is also good.

Although a bit far, Kurame is nice. There are these restaurants over a river and you can see the water coming down the hill. Very pleasant.

Ryoanji is the temple that has the 15 rocks but you can`t always see all 15 of them. It is a zen garden. It is up near Ritsumeikan University.

Arashiyama is a nice part. Nearby they have the bamboo garden.

Near there you can take ao onld fashioned train, and it goes through tunnels until you get to Kameoka, which is west of Kyoto city.

Saihaiji I think is the moss garden, but I think you need an appointment. Near Saihaiji is a smaller moss garden where no appointment is needed.

Uji is often overlooked. I think their green tea is the best in Japan, and is free at their green tea office.
Uji is a small, pleasant place.

The White Hotel is a good deal. I think it is 8000 max for 2 people. It is a 5 minute walk from Kyoto station and is listed in the Kyoto Lonely Planet book. I have been to Kyoto many times, and that is where I tended to stay.
Another option may be the Super Hotel, which is a chain. I think they have a new hotel downtown, near the Nichibei English school.

The train is faster (3 hours?) but will cost more than the boat, I think a one way fare would be about 14,000 yen.

Got to the tourist office at Kyoto station to get help and a free map.

In Kyoto, the bus system is good. The trains (and subway) don`t go to all the places tourists want to go to. Some people like renting a bike to get around.

VanKen · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 139 Location: Calgary, AB Canada

Celeste · Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 6:30 am Post subject:

Thanks all! That gives me a lot to think about itinerary wise. I am very interested in the bike tour idea, and I am really hoping that we get to see a few blooming trees while we're there. (If not I'll live, having seen cherry blossoms more than a few times before- still, it would be kind of special to see them in Kyoto.) Hi Justin!!! We are well, and we are preparing to head back to Canada in July. Thought we'd do a little touristing before we go.

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

one downside is that a lot of tourists will be going to Kyoto at the same time that you will.
But all in all, early spring is a nice time to be there.
In the winter it gets cold and summers are too hot.

Celeste · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:49 am Post subject:

ERINJK · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 25 Location: In Gifu-ken, Japan

Gingakuji and Kingakuji are my favorite!! You can get a great tourist map from the tourist info centre that points out all the places in Kyoto to visit. I also recommend going to Nara, since it's so close.

I have stayed at the Kyoto Station hotel. Even though it says Kyoto Station Hotel, it is a few blocks away from the station. It's new and not too expensive. I found it doing an internet search for Hotels in Kyoto and emailed them to reserve a room.

Have a good time!! It's a great place to visit!!

Celeste · Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:12 pm Post subject:

Hey all! Thanks for all of the info once again! We just got back from Kyoto tonight, and we had a fabulous time. The cherry blossoms were at their best, and the Imperial palace was open to the public. We did a bicycle tour one day and rented bicycles another day. We made it up to Ginkakuji by bike (I am SO tired now, but it was worth it. We stayed at the New Hankyu Hotel and it was just fine. I would highly recommend Kyoto to everyone else who hasn't been. It is really well set up for international tourists, and getting around is as easy as falling off a log.