KYOTO-when to go: November or March? + cheap accommodation?

[jalitt]

Hello!

I like to visit Kyoto for a couple of weeks;

1.
when will it be better to go (so it is not too cold):
in November or March (End of February till Midth of April)?

2.
Because I like to stay for some weeks -
do you know any good and cheap places to stay?
I do not need anything special (but no dormtories...)


Thank you very much for all your help!

 

[namichidori]

How nice!

Iﾂ went to Kyoto this summer, though it was not so long trip.

There are so many visitors especially in spring and autumn.
The weather is very severe in summer and winter...

Anyway, I think

1.
To enjoy sakura(cherry blossoms) in bloom,
it would be best from late March to middle April.
Plum trees are in bloom a bit earlier.
but...everyone hopes to do so, therefore...

2.
The accommodation fees are much higher than other season.
If you don't mind and have some interest in Buddhist temples,
their accomodations might be a good choice.
They accept guests with relatively lower prices.

Though not being a serious Buddhist, I myself stayed at Ninnaji-temple,
and enjoyed breakfast and the morning prayer this time.

Oh, you may find good ones on the sites like "Japan Guide".


I'm sorry I can't be of much help!
But I really hope you will have a good time in Kyoto.

Good luck!

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

There is cheap Ryokan.
When it is an old Japanese building, it may be cold.

"Daiya Ryokan"
http://daiyainn.gooside.com/top.html


When you travel alone,
A business hotel is cheap
http://www.kanko.jp/wh/english/

 

[jalitt]

arte there informations in the internet about staying in bhuddist temples?

where are some in Kyoto -
and how much are they about? (single roms?)


or are there other options of staying at cheap houses (single up to 2500/3000Y)?

AND:
is it worth travelling and visiting osaka (difference to kyoto?)?


thank you very much !!

 

[Homerduff]

is it worth travelling and visiting osaka (difference to kyoto?)?

Osaka is a total different city than Kyoto. While Kyoto has a great culture background, Osaka is like Tokyo a big modern city. As you are planning to stay a few weeks in Kyoto I think you should definetly spend some time in Osaka and maybe also Kobe, to have a change from your culture trips in Kyoto. Both cities are pretty close to Kyoto.

I'm planning to visit Kyoto too in March and April when im in Japan (I use Tokyo as my base). I think Sakura (cherry blossom) should absolutely be a decisive factor for your choise of date.

 

[namichidori]

Hi, jalitt!

Since I didn't know much about accomodations,
I did a quick research on the Internet.

There are so many hotels/ryokans in Kyoto,
but most of their prices are over 5000yen/1night.
The temples' accomodations, too.

Probably, a guest house is good for your needs.
Their prices are about 3000-4000yen for a single room.
Some of them are well-equipped, others are not.

You can check them with Google. Just put in words,
such like "guest house","kyoto"," cheap", or something.
They usually have English homepages.


I hope you can find a good one!

 

[namichidori]

And about Osaka

As Homerduff wrote above, it's quite different from Kyoto.
Both of them are busy cities today, yet the traits are different.

Kyoto is a city of sightseeing and academic/business, etc.
It has a rectangular street system, like a chess board.
Because the Emperor had lived there,
it was the capital of Japan till the end of Edo era .
So there are many historical/cultural sites.

Osaka is a city of business and academic/sightseeing, etc.
You can enjoy the chaotic mood of a big, bustling city there.
Besides, the people of Osaka are not so shy as average Japanese,
and friendly, I think.

If possible, it would be interesting for you to see
two different faces of Japan in one trip!

There is an old saying in Japanese:
"Kyo(u) no kidaore, Osaka no kuidaore."

This means:
Kyoto is the city where people spend much money on their clothes
untill they go bankrupt.
Osaka is the city where people spend much money on their meals
untill they go bankrupt.
​

Anyway, don't miss sakura!
There are so many cherry trees all over Japan, though.
Both in Kyoto and in Osaka, you can enjoy them.

 

[ArmandV]

March-April would be best for the aforementioned reasons. On accomodations, I stayed in Kyoto 3 nights in 2004 on a package tour. The place we stayed at was Hotel Gimmond. Nice place and good location. I could not tell you what their prices are. You might be able to find out online.

 

[jalitt]

does anyone know some contact-adresses for the possibility of HOMESTAY?

or do you know some more cheap (no dormitories), low budget accomodation possibilities in KYOTO and OSAKA?

Thank you very much!

 

[ArmandV]

You could try the Japanese Inn Group (Google it). They have a lot of member ryokans that are inexpensive (around $40-50 U.S.).

 

[Dogen Z]

November

This is Kyoto in November. Spring is sweet but autumn is awesome...



Autumn cusine is better, too.

 

[Dogen Z]

Book Early

It's still mid-summer, but it's not too early to plan for an autumn trip to Kyoto. The best ryokans are booked early.