Kyoto Hotels
Sep 11, 2017, 9:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
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Kyoto Hotels
Hi,
I'm trying to decide if I should stay at the Kyoto Station Area (i.e. Rihga Royal) or more downtown (Grand Bach) .... at this point both charge around the same $.
Both look good transportation wise (Station would be better for a day trip to Nara while Downtown would be closer to the Castle etc.). Any advice? What did you prefer?
I'm trying to decide if I should stay at the Kyoto Station Area (i.e. Rihga Royal) or more downtown (Grand Bach) .... at this point both charge around the same $.
Both look good transportation wise (Station would be better for a day trip to Nara while Downtown would be closer to the Castle etc.). Any advice? What did you prefer?
Sep 11, 2017, 9:35 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
I'm partial to the station area, simply because of its convenience for all forms of transportation.
There's a JR local that runs from Kyoto Station to Nijo Castle, another one that runs to Fushimi and Nara, and another one that will take you to see the authentic castle in Hikone. The subway intersects with the private lines that run to attractions such as Arashiyama and Gion (actually, if you don't mind walking, you can reach Gion and Sanjusangendo on foot), and it brings you close to Nishiki Koji and the Imperial Palace.
There is also a bus plaza outside Kyoto Station, and you can buy a 24-hour pass for the city buses, which will take you to just about every other tourist attraction.
There's a JR local that runs from Kyoto Station to Nijo Castle, another one that runs to Fushimi and Nara, and another one that will take you to see the authentic castle in Hikone. The subway intersects with the private lines that run to attractions such as Arashiyama and Gion (actually, if you don't mind walking, you can reach Gion and Sanjusangendo on foot), and it brings you close to Nishiki Koji and the Imperial Palace.
There is also a bus plaza outside Kyoto Station, and you can buy a 24-hour pass for the city buses, which will take you to just about every other tourist attraction.
Sep 11, 2017, 9:55 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
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Posts: 6,531
Like ksandness above, I usually get a prepaid bus pass upon arrival. The best of them include passage on the subway, which is not really very useful for tourists, EXCEPT the main line will take you from the Station to a corner right outside the Imperial Palace in less than 10 minutes.
I often stay at the Hearton Hotel in the mid-town area. It is not very close to nightlife but is walking distance from Nijo Castle, the Imperial Palace and the big Nishiki outdoor market. For the local trains to Nara, Osaka and Hikone, the subway easily gets me back to the station.
I often stay at the Hearton Hotel in the mid-town area. It is not very close to nightlife but is walking distance from Nijo Castle, the Imperial Palace and the big Nishiki outdoor market. For the local trains to Nara, Osaka and Hikone, the subway easily gets me back to the station.
Sep 12, 2017, 12:34 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
If you really want to be in the heart of Kyoto and will not be day-tripping much out of the city, then I really like the area near Kawaramachi. Otherwise, Kyoto station area is just really convenient because of the trains and the buses, not to mention the concentration of shops (Donkihote!) and food.
Sep 19, 2017, 10:59 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: London
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Posts: 14
+1.
If you really want to be in the heart of Kyoto and will not be day-tripping much out of the city, then I really like the area near Kawaramachi. Otherwise, Kyoto station area is just really convenient because of the trains and the buses, not to mention the concentration of shops (Donkihote!) and food.
If you really want to be in the heart of Kyoto and will not be day-tripping much out of the city, then I really like the area near Kawaramachi. Otherwise, Kyoto station area is just really convenient because of the trains and the buses, not to mention the concentration of shops (Donkihote!) and food.
I was born and Grew up in the town.
As much as the centre of the town is in Karamachi, and Gion, you really need half day incl evening.. and it can easily be accommodated by a taxi ride from station area.. plus the choice of the Hotels are better around the station.