Konichiwa Kyoto

Advantages: It is a fascinating city which presents many of the contrasts of Japan
Disadvantages: This review is very long - but there is so much to Kyoto that I've only given you the main sites

...Warning: many of you may want to scan this review, as it is far too long. Kyoto has a great deal to see though... Kyoto gives its name to possibly Japan's most historically and culturally rich prefecture (kyoto-ken), and is contained within the Kansai region. The city itself which was then known as Heian-kyo, was used as the country's capital before Tokyo and shares this privilege with nearby Nara which predates it. Along with Osaka, Nara is also well worth a visit if you are interested in learning a little about Japan's history or seeing many of its most beautiful shrines and temples; many of which are national treasures, UNESCO sites or important cultural properties. The earthquake devastated and recently rebuilt Kobe is also an easy distance (all are reached within half...

ickkate 27.08.2004 · Read review
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Review of Kyoto (Japan)

Kyoto, the OLD capital of Japan.

Advantages: Cheap area, gorgeous attractions and temples, good for short visits!
Disadvantages: Limited activity so best for -5 day visits.

...I visited Japan at the end of this July, and have only just returned. I must say it was the holiday of a lifetime. Flights cost £900 each via British Airways. We visited Kyoto for 3 days. We got there via Shinkansen from Tokyo, and stayed at the New Miyako hotel, just over the road from Kyoto station. Kyoto was absolutely gorgeous and very easy to navigate around. You can get just about anywhere you want to from Kyoto Station. There are buses, subway trains etc. 220 yen is all you need for a bus ride to anywhere along the Kyoto bus lines. That works out at around £1. You just hop on the bus and pay when you get off. We visited Toei movie land which was a bit of a dissapointment. www.eigamura30.com. Looking at brochures we expected amazing movie scenes etc but it left a lot to be desired. A lot of it was shut off, and most...

Jellypigs 18.08.2008 · Read review
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Review of Kyoto (Japan)

Kyoto is fabulous.... shame about the hotel!

Advantages: Location
Disadvantages: uncomfortable, not very clean, dated decor

...I stayed in this hotel for 2 nights on a short break to Kyoto when we were on holiday in Tokyo last year. The location is excellent and is only a few minutes walk from the beautiful Gion district. The rooms are very small but I have to say this is standard across Japan in the lower priced hotels especially in the main Cities. The room wasn't comfortable and I wouldn't like to have stayed here for any longer than 2 nights. The decor was very dated and there was a lack of air conditioning which wasn't much fun as it was extremely hot when we stayed there. The room did have everything you need, it was just a little cramped and not very welcoming. The standard of cleanliness wasn't great, it wasn't really dirty, but it certainly could have been better. One little detail that I did like even though it is very small is that they left...

lacedcandy 04.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Karasuma Kyoto Hotel

  Key to Kyoto

Advantages: Enormous temples, exciting centre & good wooded walks.
Disadvantages: Disappointment if you let the guidebooks build it up too much & expensive.

...KEY TO KYOTO I went to Kyoto determined to dislike it. Everyone had said I should go – parents, employer, students and friends had all told me how wonderful it was. However, I’d also heard several things that put me off. For example, Kyoto does not have a baseball team. Apparently you must live in Kyoto for three generations before you’ll be accepted as a “Kyoto person”. When I met other westerners working in Japan those that worked in Kyoto would always tell me so in a declaiming air that smacked of a fat baby born into riches, talking to the poor, confused cousin. I was even told that “Kyoto was proudly waiting for the Emperor to return” by some, and all in all it sounded like a snobby town of overcrowded, over exaggerated attractions. Looking at the map it was an unbroken grey...

Hmatt 08.10.2002 · Read review
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Review of Kyoto (Japan)

Hotel Alpha Kyoto

Advantages: Great location
Disadvantages: Cannot think of any

...I just got back from Kyoto and I stayed one night in Hotel Alpha Kyoto. My Japanese friend booked this hotel for me from a japanese discount website and it costs us 9450 Yen for two people (which is about £45). This is considered an expensive rate for this hotel because if you stay during off-peak season, you can even get a room for two without breakfast for 7000 Yen. However, I stayed here during Obon festival (peak peak period). I have checked the hotel website and the price is almost the same so that means you can book directly with the hotel to get discounted rate. Location: Only 1 minute away from Kyotoshiyakushomae Station (this is on the subway Tozai line) or 3 minutes away from Keihan Sanjo station. If you are coming from Osaka and you did not take the shinkansen or JR train, you are definitely on Keihan line that takes you...

dance 15.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Hotel Alpha, Kyoto

Kyoto Station - A Must See

Advantages: Excellent view of Kyoto, including the Tower! Good change from all the temples...
Disadvantages: Sticks out amongst 'traditional' surroundings, shops aren't anything special

...For many, Kyoto Station is the first thing that you will see when you reach Kyoto. A futuristic, elaborate building, it's the last you'll see of its kind in this city, so enjoy it. Kyoto Station, in the south area of the city, is the main JR station where you will find the Bullet Train ('shinkansen') and trains out of the city, as well as to other areas within Kyoto. (Note: If you are here to travel, unless you have a pass, it's well worth checking that you can't reach your destination via another rail network that isn't JR, e.g. Kyoto-Osaka with JR costs around 800 yen, with Hankyu it's a mere 390 yen).) The building itself is worth a visit though, built opposite Kyoto Tower, which offers a view of the city for a price, you can get just as good a view (and including the Tower too!) for free from the Station. On entering...

folore 31.03.2007 · Read review
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Review of Kyoto Station, Kyoto

Visit Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto

Advantages: Most visited temple in Kyoto
Disadvantages: None

...You probably know that Kyoto is famous for its shrines and temples. It is also one of the cities listed under World Heritage Site. Kiyomizu Temple means Pure Water Temple. One of the oldest temples in Japan, it is now being listed under UNESCO World Heritage Site in year 1994. It was destroyed many times and thus, throughout its 12 centuries of history, has been rebuilt many times. The main attraction in this temple is its wooden terrace. This is also one of the most popular scene on Kyoto postcards. From this terrace, you are able to get a nice view of Kyoto city. On this terrace, there is a Japanese saying, 'jump off the stage at Kiyomizu', which is equivalent to the English expression of 'to take the plunge'. It is said that if one were to survive jumping from this terrace, his wish would come true. Below the terrace, you...

dance 31.12.2005 · Read review
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Review of Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto

Loved the city, but not the hotel

Advantages: Great location
Disadvantages: Not as clean as it should be, dodgy decor

...On previous visits to Japan I've been lucky to find some good value and good quality hotels. I'd never stayed in Kyoto before and having looked at the options online I chose to stay at the Karasuma Kyoto hotel. The reasoning for my decision was that it wasn't the most expensive hotel (although still £75 a night) and in a good location. I'd read that the interiors were dated, but that's fine with me as long as things are clean. Sadly it wasn't as great as I had hoped. Location The hotel does score some points here. It's two stops north on the Karasuma subway line from Kyoto station. If you arrive via the subway be sure to exit the station by South Exit 6, it comes out right in front of the hotel, you'll see it directly in front of you with the Starbucks at the front, just as in the photo. Being very close to Shijo dori you...

non_sense 27.03.2009 · Read review
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Review of Karasuma Kyoto Hotel

Nijo Castle/Ninomaru Palace

Advantages: Japan's cultural heritage - designated historic relic
Disadvantages: Can't think of any!

...NIJO CASTLE in Kyoto, is a delightful place to visit. It is easily accessible by bus and is a stunning example of a Japanese castle and you can also visit the Ninomaru palace on the same site. In fact there are several buildings on the site, all of which you can wander around and which I am reviewing under the heading of the castle as they are all part of it. When I visited some months ago the opening hours were 9 am until 4 pm and it is open all year round except between 26th December and 4th January. Interestingly it is open on Christmas Day, but that is because the Japanese do not celebrate Christmas, but have their main festivities at New Year. So if you want somewhere different this year for Christmas why not take yourself over to Japan! Unfortunately I cannot remember how much it cost to go in, but I am sure it was not...

inejenn 24.11.2006 · Read review
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Review of Nijo Castle, Kyoto

Golden Temple of Japan

Advantages: breathtaking castle, glistening in the sun
Disadvantages: A long way from England!

...KINKAKUJI TEMPLE If you are visiting Kyoto you must visit this magnificent temple, it is simply breathtaking! Set in the northern hills of Kyoto this temple was once part of a larger complex. There are regular bus services from the centre of Kyoto to the temple entrance and from there you walk along a tree lined walkway, the trees almost manicured in appearance, they are so neatly trimmed. Buses go from outside Kyoto station or you can take the train for the short trip, or even take a taxi. Of course there are organised tours you can take too, but I prefer to wander around these places at my leisure and not be herded along with a crowd. That way you can take as much time as you want to look at things and not have to listen to some tour guide giving a boring commentary. After passing through the entrance gate, you walk past...

inejenn 24.11.2006 · Read review
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Review of Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto