Kyoto Travel Forum

I read somewhere that Saijo-ji in Kyoto would be open to the public without reservations sometime this autumn. Normally, you need a reservation and half a day to visit this place. Was I reading wrong? Can anybody confirm this?

I am taking my mother to Japan in November to enjoy the momiji. We will start our 1-week trip in Tokyo (3 nights), then take the train to Matsumoto Castle for the day, and then head to Kyoto (4 nights). Along this route (or thereabouts), can anyone suggest an Onsen we can stop at so I can give my mother an interesting taste of Japanese life for a few hours? Nothing too crowded, or my mother might balk at the 'exposure' (I've been to an onsen in Beppu so i'm familiar with the lack of bathing attire required). Something picturresque? Outdoor? I was thinking maybe Nikko but that might be a little too far out of the way if I want to be able to hit Matsumoto Castle and then on to Kyoto in 1 day.

I found a really cheap ryokan that costs ¥4000 per night but there is a curfew at 11:00 pm. I'm wondering if I'm going to miss much if I have to get back by then. How is Kyoto's nightlife?

I'm planning my trip to the Kansai area around june 6th to 10th and I need to decide where I should stay
First, how long does it take to go from Osaka to Kyoto? and how long does it take?
Second, which city should I base on? If it's not a big distance to cover, I'd like to stay in one city than staying two different places.

Thanks in advance

I only have 2 days in Kyoto, I think the Miho Museum is beautiful. But with public transportation, it takes an hour to get there and an hour to come back. Do you think its worth it?

Hi there,

will be travelling to japan (kyushu, osaka, kyoto, tokyo) end of april. Would like to find out if these places are generally baby friendly? ie. baby changing table/room or nursing rooms in most toilets, shopping malls etc? Also, are there bidets/ spray hose in every public toilet cubicle which we can wash our child's backside with? thanks!

I am planing on going to japan to stay with a freind within the next 12 months.
I have recently found out that I may have a 3 week Christmas break from work, and due to me already needing a week off during august, I am thinking of having my 2 weeks in japan over new year rather than sep/oct time.

I will stay with a freind in Kyoto, although it might be a bit weird with a lot of closures due to the holiday, and with my freind being with his family a lot. That said, when he came to the UK for a year to study he spent 2 weeks over the easter holiday and 2 weeks over the christmas holiday with me at my parents house, and came on most of the family meetings. It would also be good that he should be off work most of the time i may be there.

I wouldn't 'follow' him around for 2 weeks. I would like to explore a little of the kansai area too, and don't mind doing that alone. I don't think the temperature will bother me. It'll be winter and it's what is to be expected.

What do you reckon?

Hello,
I will be in Kyoto in November and I need to buy 2 kimonos as a present (one for a male, one for a female). Are there any places that sell new kimonos for adults at affordable prices? I heard that the starting price for a nice kimono (new, not a second hand one) is around $150-$180. Is this price range accurate?
Thank you,
Monica

Hi, I'll be going Kyoto with my 20mth toddler & hubby in mid May. Have booked to stay at Hotel kyoto okura but would like to try 1 night in a ryokan (complete with kaiseki dinner). So far the ones (Montanago,Kinmata) I've checked out are all very expensive, any lower priced ones but also serve a good dinner? My budget is about US$350-380 per room per night (with dinner for 2 pax included)

Hi all
I just got a room at the Tani House Annex in downtown Kyoto, has anyone been to the Annex? PLease let me know what your opinion is, is it more like a hostel, hotel or ryokan. From the info there are only two rooms in the annex? Again i do not know about it but it seems like a really good deal especially with my own bathroom.I assume there is no curfew.
thanks for any advice

Hi,

would like to find out what is the average weather and temp of kyoto in wns April? i read somewhere that it is about 15 degrees celcius on the average. is this accurate? Was wondering how thick cold weather wear would i need? is it better to layer in case of frequent weather/temp changes? is a leather jacket, with a thin sweater inside enough, or a denim jacket with a thin sweater is more appropriate? or do i need woollen sweaters?

I am looking for Shukubo within close distance to Kyoto or Nara that does not object to americans,we plan to learn whatever we can so as not to offend by our ignorance. We really want to experience the prayers & meditations as well as shojin ryori.
Because of our itinerary;(we have one day available before we go to Nara -for one night- via Kyoto, and then back to Kyoto for a few nights before returning to Tokyo)
Nara would be best but I cannot find mention of any temples offering shukubo either in Nara (or Uji, I don't know other areas between to search)
In Koyoto I've found only names of a few places but no real information, reviews or contact details.
I find copious amounts of information about Koyasan- However, we don't really have enough time to make it worthwile.

Hi guys! I will be transiting for just 1 night in Kyoto between Kinosaki Onsen and Tokyo. Arriving Kyoto after 5pm and leaving the next morning. So would prefer to stay very close to Kyoto Station. Very difficult to find anymore cheap accommodation so wondering does anyone know any female friendly and safe capsule hotel around Kyoto Station? Of cause it must also be secure for the luggages. Also, any recommendation for evening activities for 2 lady travellers? I've been to Kyoto before, that's why we are not extending the trip to take in all the sights. But I have never been to Pontoncho.. Is it worth a visit? Any other suggestions?

Hi I,m planning a Trip to Japan from Canada in April for 3 weeks!I would like to know if anybody knows of any reasonably priced Hotels in Kyoto and things to do?I would also like to know the benefits of a Rented Apartment vs a Hotel in a central location in Tokyo?Tokyo will be the Home Base so I,m looking for accomadations that are central yet reasonable in price.Can anybody make any suggestions please?

I collect diecast models of cars. Can you advise where in Kyoto shops selling model cars can be found.

Thanks,

Graham

Hi

we plan to arrive in kyoto from Osaka in the morning and then head to Kinkakuji,

what is the recommended time to spend at the Golden Pavillion?

Thanks
Tiff

What are the operating hours of the flea market -- on the 21st of every month?

I'm interested in going to a shrine sale in Kyoto. We'll be in the area from Sunday, April 20 through Tuesday, April 22. Are there any shrine sales that operate on these days?

Best time to visit kyoto during autumn is on Oct or Nov?

hey everybody,
i'm doing 3 nights in kyoto at the beginning of december. are there any good dance spots? i want to party a bit. it's my birthday weekend! please let me know. if you have any other cool suggestions, i'm so appreciating it! thanks!

Hi,

I am sorry if I am asking the same questions like all others, but I would like to find out if 2 nights in Kyoto are sufficient.

We (2 of us) are coming from Tokyo, and hope to cover the usual touristic spots, Philosopher's Path (whatever that is; we will be reading more on it) and some off-the-beaten track to really immerse into the culture.

Can anyone recommend a cheap, traditional ryokan near to JR kyoto station? The ones found so far cost over 10,000Y for a double room.... We are looking for something cheaper.

Or is there B & B available?

Pls share other tips, recommendations for must-sees, must-dos in Kyoto!

Thanks lots, folks :)

Hi everyone,
I'm currently in Kyoto and leisurely heading in a downwards direction. I'm travelling by myself (my friends left me a couple of weeks ago) and was wondering if there's anyone else heading the same way.

Email me at butidontlikecarrots@hotmail.com

Cheers,
Joe

I am going to Kyoto in November and I have a half-healed broken foot (I like to walk a lot but I try to take it easy on the foot). I am staying in a hotel near the Kyoto Station. I want to visit the Adashino-Nembutsu shrine and then SOMEHOW get to Kinkaku-ji. I was planning on a taxi to the first spot, then try to walk back to Kinkaku-ji. Is this feasible with a wounded paw? Or is there an easier way? would a taxi wait for me while I visit the first spot? I have looked at the bus route but the map I have doesn't really show accurate distances. Any help or suggestions? I'd like to get the visits done in 1/2 day.

Hi. We are planning to go to Himeji from Kyoto, stay a night there and go to Osaka the next day. How much is the travelling time and cost? Is buy 2-days Kansai Thru pass worth it?

Many thks in advannce

I will be in Kyoto on 4th 5th and 8th november 07. We are a group aged between 50 and 65. I know there are so many things to do and see there but so little time and energy. U tire more easily when u get older and cant move as fast as when u r younger . Please help. What are the must see places that we should visit and the food that we should try. Just the best temples in autumn. we can give the others a miss so that we dont have to rush from place to place. any good eating places where we can try fresh seafood at a reasonable price US $11- 20 or even cheaper than that.cos we r on a budget. heard of arashimaya. is that tooo out of the way. if not, how far away and how to get there and lake biku??
Many thanks

I will be in Kyoto from Nov 7 to Nov 12. I will be in Himeji on Nov 8 (day trip) and Nara on Nov 11 (day trip). Can someone direct me to a calendar of events for these cities? Or perhaps if you know of something interesting going on that I can check out? I am interested in Leaf-viewing, Rock conerts, Flea markets, festivals/dancing. I have a few already on my itinerary but thought a few local folks might know of some more? thanks!

Hi All,
My partner and I are planning to set up base in Kyoto and travel around Kyoto, upto Hiroshima in the south and Tokyo in the north, for a couple of weeks.
Does it make sense to buy the 14 day Japan Rail pass or is better to buy the JR-West rail pass for travel in the Kansai area and buy other tickets as needed?
Thanks for any help, in advance.

Can anyone who has stayed here give a recommendation? It seems very cheap compared to other options!

Other budget hostel recommendations welcomed.

Thanks
Jo

I thought I saw a page on this site somewhere of a person who is living in Kyoto who offers to guide visitors around Kyoto (for little or no cost). Now of course I can no longer find the page or remember where I first saw it, although I recall that the person had a cute photograph of an orange cat sleeping on a park bench in Kyoto...So, does anyone besides Hillwalker offer a tour around Kyoto? I was hoping to find someone who will take me to the west side of Kyoto to explore the Sagano/Arashiyama area. I've already toured the eastern area of Kyoto on a previous trip, and I didn't want to join a group. Plus, I'm a little wary of just googling up a guide as I am female travelling solo. PS I'm from Canada.

I will be in Kyoto in November for 5 nights and am going to a Jrock concert at the Kyoto Dai-ichi Kaikan Hall. What is the normal etiquette for attending a JRock concert here? Is it normally general admission or assigned seating? I can't tell from the ticket (I don't read kanji!) however the ticket doesn't look like it's assigned seating? Should I arrive early? Will I be swatting hysterical teenagers around?? Do fans rush the stage like they do sometimes here in Canada? Can I be pushy and try to move closer to the stage? This is all so new for me! I am 39 and have attended a few good rock concerts so I've wondered about the comparison. Also, does anyone know where this concert hall is? I will be staying at the Kyoto Royal Hotel and may need to catch a taxi back to the hotel, depending on how late this concert goes. If anyone has had experience with indoor jrock concerts, or has been to this venue, please speak up!