Unassumingly tucked behind its traditional street wall, this beautiful historic ryokan in the heart of Kyoto offers calm and seclusion with exquisite personal service. A younger and much cheaper relative of the famous Hiiragiya frequented by Charlie Chaplin and Elizabeth Taylor, the Bekkan welcomes you to airy wooden rooms with floor to ceiling sliding glazed screens and bamboo shutters overlooking the small ornate gardens. Green tea and red bean pastries are ceremoniously taken on arrival, followed by donning yukata for an appointment in the private onsen baths before a 12 course dinner is served on tatami mats in your room. Finally your futon bed is unrolled and the staff glide backwards out of the room for a peaceful night in this vibrant city of opposites. In the morning breakfast arrives and the futons disappear while you are in the bathroom. Around 20000 yen with meals, and worth more.

Close to City Hall and Teramachi shops. Within walking distance or a bus most of the hundreds of places to visit. www.hiiragiya.com/index-e.html

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you decide to spend a decent amount of time in Kyoto - and it's definitely worth it - I recommend you hire a bike, or buy one second-hand (usually a few shops near the university and they are very cheap). Kyoto is generally very flat and laid out in a grid structure so it’s dead easy to get around and you won't need to use the subway. Everybody cycles on the pavement as well so no need to worry about traffic. If you're there during the Japanese holiday season the main attractions are busy during the day - especially the Gion area. Best to go early in the morning - and it’s worth visiting Sanjusangen-do, Ryoan-ji, Daisen-in etc, even if they are busy (though I wouldn't bother with Heian Jingu)

Other recomendations include the area surrounding and including Ginkaku-ji and Honen-in (which is free) You can always walk back to the city via the Philosophers path.

I could go on for ages but a couple of other places I loved whilst there include Ippodo, a tea shop on the Teramachi dori, where they will explain in great detail how to drink your tea and for something less traditional there is Cafe Independants, in the covered Teramachi arcade, which is a bit more western and atracts a younger crowd. There is also a brilliant CD shop tucked away in the corner selling all sorts of Japanese avant-garde CDs(with some jazz thrown in) - if you're into that sort of thing.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

So Kyoto is all about historical Japan right? Wrong!
Most visitors to Kyoto arrive at the futuristic train station opened in 1997, and it’s virtually a sightseeing stop in its own right. Its myriad of floors contain department stores, food halls, underground shopping, and a great observation deck at the top, perfect for getting the bearings of the city.

Served by all trains of Japan Railways, including shinkansen, Kintetsu Railways and the subway.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Stick to the main drag and avoid the "English" bars.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends