http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/forum/accommodation Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:08:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ryokan-stories#post-278 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 03:00:33 +0000 peko 278@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello Jeff,</p> <p>As I live in Kyoto, I haven't stayed at a ryokan in the city. I have eaten dinner at several though. Below is post about top of the line ryokan in Kyoto.</p> <p><a href="http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/fine-ryokan-japanese-style-inn-in-kyoto" rel="nofollow">http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/fine-ryokan-japanese-style-inn-in-kyoto</a></p> <p><strong>Good:</strong> I used to live in the neighborhood of the <strong>Three Sisters Inn</strong> ryokan and have friends that have stayed there. It is reasonably priced, friendly and English is spoken by most of the staff.</p> <p><strong>Sakura Ryokan</strong>, near Kyoto Station is not an old, traditional ryokan, but it is built to be like one. I know a lot of people that have stayed there in the last few years and everyone says it is great. New, clean, friendly service and pretty cheap.</p> <p><strong>Bad:</strong> From my personal experience and that of friends, <strong>Gion Hatanaka</strong> is one that I would avoid. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ryokan-stories#post-277 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:23:50 +0000 Jeff Aasgaard 277@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Does anyone have any good or bad stories about their stay at a ryokan? </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/fine-ryokan-japanese-style-inn-in-kyoto#post-175 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:57:10 +0000 peko 175@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p><strong>Gion Hatanaka</strong></p> <p>For candid information about Gion Hatanaka, please refer to the comments on the Gion Hatanaka Maiko Dinner Show Review below.</p> <p>KyotoFoodie Review: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/gion-hatanaka-maiko-dinner-show-review/" title="Gion Hatanaka Maiko Dinner Show Review">Gion Hatanaka Maiko Dinner Show Review</a></p> <p>KyotoFoodie Kyoto Ryokan Series: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/series/kyoto-ryokan/" title="Gion Hatanaka">Kyoto Ryokan: Gion Hatanaka</a> </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/9-nights-in-kyoto-for-small-family-accommodation-recommendations#post-173 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:22:02 +0000 bern 173@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Peko, have found a company leasing very basic apartments (for students?) - very very cheap. I want to know if they are legit. Basic I don't mind, if we can spend the money saved on food ; ) Can I email you the link? </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/9-nights-in-kyoto-for-small-family-accommodation-recommendations#post-171 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:40:18 +0000 peko 171@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>You bet! </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/9-nights-in-kyoto-for-small-family-accommodation-recommendations#post-170 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:58:44 +0000 bern 170@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>many thanks peko! </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/9-nights-in-kyoto-for-small-family-accommodation-recommendations#post-168 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:25:43 +0000 peko 168@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello Bern</p> <p>Here are a few ideas:</p> <p><strong>Very cheap, clean and new: K's House Kyoto</strong><br /> Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto<br /> 418 Nayacho, Shichijo-agaru, Dotemachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku,<br /> Kyoto city, Japan 600-8142<br /> TEL +(81)-75-342-2444 FAX +(81)-75-342-2440<br /> email: <a href="mailto:kyoto@kshouse.jp">kyoto@kshouse.jp</a></p> <p><a href="http://kshouse.jp/index_e.html" rel="nofollow">http://kshouse.jp/index_e.html</a></p> <p><strong>Pretty Cheap, friendly, clean: The Three Sister's Inn &#38; The Three Sister's Inn ANNEX</strong><br /> Near Heian Shrine in a quite neighborhood convenient for bus and subway about 15 minutes on foot.<br /> tel: +(81)-75-761-6333 fax +(81)-75-761-6335<br /> email: <a href="mailto:kyo-3sis-anx@air.ocn.ne.jp">kyo-3sis-anx@air.ocn.ne.jp</a><br /> (no website it seems)</p> <p><strong>Reasonably Priced: Kyoto Weekly / Monthly Mansion and Apartment</strong><br /> Our friends have stayed here and it is nice, reasonably priced and clean. It looks like their site is only available in Japanese. (These are just apartments with no 'Kyoto' character.)</p> <p><a href="http://www.monthly-kyoto.jp/" rel="nofollow">http://www.monthly-kyoto.jp/</a></p> <p><strong>Higher End: Iori Kyoto Machiya Stays (traditional Kyoto townhouse stays)</strong><br /> Iori Kyoto Machiya is great, not cheap, but a very special and spacious experience. Plenty of charm!</p> <p><a href="http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/eng/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/eng/</a> </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/9-nights-in-kyoto-for-small-family-accommodation-recommendations#post-165 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:40:50 +0000 bern 165@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>We're a small family - two adults &#38; 1 child (almost 5 years). Will be in Kyoto 30 September - 9 October 2009. Any suggestions for good value accommodation? Simple &#38; clean our only requirement. Have emailed Kyoto Townhouse Stays (beautiful homes) but may be too expensive for us (?). Thanks in advance. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/home-stay-whats-best-jodoji-or-okazaki#post-158 Mon, 18 May 2009 06:57:02 +0000 ElisabethParis 158@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Many thanks for your reply. We chose Jodoji and we are looking forward to our stay in Kyoto. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/home-stay-whats-best-jodoji-or-okazaki#post-151 Thu, 14 May 2009 15:53:16 +0000 peko 151@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello ElisabethParis, Oh! The choice between Jodoji and Okazaki? Nice!! Both are not the most convenient places in Kyoto, I mean relatively speakings. They are both 10-15 minute by bicycle from the center of town. I lived in Okazaki for about 5 years. For shopping, especially for food, I would say that Okazaki is a *little* less convenient. Jodoji, being at the foot of the East Mountains (Higashiyama) is more historic, scenic and natural. And, there are two higher end super markets in the neighborhood. On the whole, my score would be Okazaki 7 and Jodoji 8. Not a big difference. I hope this helps. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/home-stay-whats-best-jodoji-or-okazaki#post-150 Thu, 14 May 2009 15:12:34 +0000 ElisabethParis 150@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>Hello, I am new on this wonderful site and about to rent a house either in Okazaki or Jodoji at the beginning of June. Both my husband and I love cooking and we are wondering which of the 2 areas would have the greater number of food stores, markets etc.<br /> We're really looking forward to our holidays in Kyoto and to our future gourmet treats.<br /> Thanks for your attention</p> <p>Elisabeth </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/iori-staying-in-a-kyoto-machiya-traditional-townhouse#post-79 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:39:13 +0000 ChrisLehrer 79@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p>I don't know this company, but my family is in a machiya rented in precisely this way. It's lovely, but... it needs some support, like Kyoto. Some tips based on our experience:</p> <p>1. Our kitchen came with 1 bad knife, 1 fridge/freezer, 1 toaster/microwave oven, 1 rice cooker, 1 water-boiler, 1 nonstick skillet, 1 small nonstick saucepan, 1 truly bad plastic cutting board. We had various and sufficient dishes for anything not excessively elaborate, though if you want beautiful dishes buy them here: this is a great place to buy beautiful ceramics. If you need more pots and pans than this, ask in advance or plan to buy el-cheapo ones at Kawabata Nikku or something, which is a pain if you're only staying a few days. I'd ask the rental company if there is something you need, but you'll have to do it in advance.</p> <p>2. In summer, find out in advance how much of the house can be air-conditioned. In winter, find out how much can be heated. Radiant floors are excellent and not all that common in machiya. In short, in summer these houses are hot and in winter they're cold, and if you're not prepared for this you may have an unpleasant surprise. You will however experience machiya the traditional way!</p> <p>3. Check on bath and laundry facilities in advance. Machiya have very small land-plots, and these things are commonly added to the back as extensions. This means that they may be extremely small, but not necessarily so: check in advance!</p> <p>4. If you are vegan or have other important dietary restrictions not usual in Japan, find out in advance where the nearest decent grocery store is. You don't want to waste hours and hours trying to find one when you'd rather be going to temples!</p> <p>5. Check on the towel situation in advance. Most machiya and furnished apartments do not come with towels. If you like big fluffy bath towels, BRING them: they are very hard to find here, and expensive.</p> <p>6. Remember: do not put any kind of shoes, slippers, or anything like that on tatami mats.</p> <p>7. Don't expect to get your deposit back on a longish rental. Machiya are rather delicate, so a rental company can always find things you've damaged and chalk this up against your deposit. A few days' rental should be OK on this score if you're careful. </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/iori-staying-in-a-kyoto-machiya-traditional-townhouse#post-17 Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:45:43 +0000 peko 17@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p><strong>Staying in a Kyoto Machiya</strong></p> <p>Staying in a Kyoto Machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) when you visit Kyoto is a very attractive option. Alex Kerr, a longtime expat resident of Kyoto and has restored 9 Kyoto machiya and rents them out to visitors to Kyoto. Mr Kerr's company Iori is popular with both Japanese and foreign visitors to Kyoto.</p> <p>Iori's rates are quite reasonable, you have your own machiya house all to yourself! Some are small and some are large, sleeping 2 to 14 people. A modern kitchen is included so you can cook at home. This may be desirable for a <a href="http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/vegetarian-vegan-and-visiting-japan-at-new-years">vegan</a>. These traditional machiya include Western furnishings such as sofas and chairs, so you won't have to content with the <a href="http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/beware-staying-at-a-japanese-ryokan-and-stiff-joints">stiff legs and joints</a> problem that you might face at a ryokan.</p> <p>While it is DIY, this is a very special experience and a reasonably priced way to experience an important aspect of Kyoto's traditional culture.</p> <p>Iori Weekly Machiya<br /> <a href="http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/www_english/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/www_english/</a></p> <p>Iori Machiya List<br /> <a href="http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/www_english/weekly/machiya/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/www_english/weekly/machiya/index.html</a></p> <p>Iori Q &#38; A<br /> <a href="http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/www_english/weekly/faq.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/www_english/weekly/faq.html</a></p> <p>tel: 075-352-0211<br /> fax: 075-352-0213</p> <p><a href="http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/www_english/"><img src="http://www.kyoto-machiya.com/www_english/banner.gif" alt="Kyoto-Machiya IORI" /></a></p> <p>Iori Weekly Machiya's Founder Alex Kerr's Personal Website<br /> <a href="http://www.alex-kerr.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.alex-kerr.com/</a> </p> http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/fine-ryokan-japanese-style-inn-in-kyoto#post-11 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:14:47 +0000 peko 11@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ <p><strong>Visiting Kyoto and want to experience a fine ryokan in the heart of the city? Here are several to consider.</strong></p> <p>If you are coming all the way to Kyoto, even if you don't have a big budget, we recommend that you try to stay one night at a fine ryokan. The atmosphere, experience, service and food are quite unlike anything that you have experienced before. When princes and princesses visit Kyoto, they invariably stay at one of the ryokan listed below.</p> <p><strong>Sumiya</strong><br /> Sumiya is said to be Kyoto's MOST EXCLUSIVE ryokan.<br /> location: Fuyacho-Sanjo<br /> rates: 36,000-72,000 yen (includes dinner and breakfast)<br /> tel: 075-221-2188<br /> English website: none</p> <p><strong>Tawaraya</strong><br /> It is said that every architect in Japan will stay at Tawaraya once in their lifetime (architects don't make a lot of money and Tawaraya is expensive). The reason being that the architecture and gardens are so beautiful and such excellent examples of Kyoto's architectural heritage. I have eaten at Tawaraya and have had friends and family stay there on numerous occasions. The staff is extremely polite and helpful. Tawaraya says that about a third of their customers now are from overseas, so foreign guests are very welcome and can be assured excellent service.<br /> location: Fuyacho-Oike<br /> rates: 42,000-84,000 yen (includes dinner and breakfast)<br /> tel 075-211-5566<br /> English website: none</p> <p><strong>Hiiragiya</strong><br /> I have been to Hiiragiya several times for dinner and was always underwhelmed. Service was not especially friendly. Friends that have stayed there were somewhat disappointed too. The interior of the building is quite rundown and shabby. As an inn, Hiiragiya is fine, but for this price range you can do better and in the same neighborhood.</p> <p><strong>Yoshikawa</strong><br /> Yoshikawa is another excellent ryokan. Our friends that have stayed there have had a positive experience. Yoshikawa is also well known in Kyoto for its fine tempura restaurant attached to the ryokan. It is my favorite for tempura in Kyoto.<br /> location: Tominokoji-Oike<br /> rates: from 25,000 yen (includes dinner and breakfast)<br /> tel 075-221-5544<br /> English website: none </p>