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Going to Kyoto in April

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benjamen7900
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Joined: January 6th, 2012 2:24 am

Going to Kyoto in April

Postby benjamen7900 » January 7th, 2012 6:07 pm

hello everyone, I'm going to Kyoto in April, i'm only going to be staying for a week :( i have just a few questions.

What the cheapest way to get from KIX (Kansai International Airport) to Kyoto?
What are the don't miss or you'll regret it later sightseeing sites?
How much money would be to save before i go? (I live in the US so it'd be USD)

thanks for your responses

Belton
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Joined: June 16th, 2006 11:39 am

Postby Belton » January 26th, 2012 4:09 pm

April should be the cherry blossom season so it'll look nice, but accommodation will be more expensive and possibly harder to find.

1. A Bus will be cheapest but the train would be the most convenient.
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/index.html
Bus is 4000 for a return ticket.
Train is about 3300 each way on the Haruka express. (depends on seat, unreserved is cheapest.)

2. The big places to see are Kiyomizudera and environs (My favourite shrine is there, Jishu Jinjya). Kinkakuji. Golden Temple. (Don't make the mistake of going to Ginkakuji, which is nice and all but totally different.). Ryoanji the famous rock garden. Gion. where the geisha and maiko are. The back lanes are better for a glimpse of a geisha rather than waiting outside a restaurant with other tourists.
Heian shrine and gardens. Nijo with it's ninja-proof singing floors.
I've never been (inside) but it's relatively easy for foreign tourists to get on a tour of the Imperial palace so I'm told.
Kyoto Train Station. There's a good view of the city from the roof, and it's an impressive piece of modern architecture.
More out of the way is Taisha Fushimi Inari a mountain full of torii tunnel like paths.
I'd recommend a day side trip to Nara to see the Dai-Butsu.
I'd also recommend Japanese bathing. Either in the Big Bath at a hotel or visting an onsen. Kuruma is 30 mins on the train from Kyoto has a nice mountain temple and several onsen with rotenburo, a nice way to relax after sightseeing before heading back to Kyoto.
Get up early to sightsee before the busloads of tourists arrive.

3. hard to say. The Yen is very strong at the moment (or Dollar, Pound and Euro are very weak. 1000 yen is about $13 today)
I'd say you'd need about 4000 to 5000 yen a day for food, entrance fees, and bus pass. (the bus is the best way to travel in Kyoto, a daily pass is 500 yen. The subway isn't very big and doesn't go to tourist spots, so isn't worth the extra 700 yen really. http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html)
Accommodation would start at about 2500 a night for a dormitory (K's House, Tomato Guest House) Business hotels single room start about 5500 a night. (look at http://travel.rakuten.com/ for ideas) I'd recommend finding somewhere near to Kyoto station for convenience when arriving and leaving.

Have a good trip.

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ericf
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Postby ericf » January 26th, 2012 9:29 pm

1. To be honest I've always used a Japan Rail Pass, but then I've only ever spent 2-3 days in any one place. If you're only staying in Kyoto then I doubt it's worth it. If you do want one you must buy one before you go!

2. Actually I think I preferred Ginkakuji to Kinkakuji :-) Agreed they're rather different. I've been inside gosho (Imperial Palace) and you do need to book but I enjoyed it.
Belton's list is pretty comprehensive. I'd just suggest Nijo-Jinya, an old feudal lords' inn full of trap doors and hidden panels etc. It's been closed for refurbishment for several years but it might just be reopening when you go. Booking essential and take an interpreter!
http://nijyojinya.net/English.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3926.html http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/querea ... ml?0+23195
http://www.yamasa.org/japan/english/des ... jinya.html

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