I am planning my first trip to Japan. It's got to be a short one unfortunately, as brevity is one of the main selling points I have in mind to convince my wife to let me go. I will be travelling solo and anticipate about 2 nights in Tokyo and 2 nights in Kyoto, not including day of arrival or day of departure. I plan on going in early February.
I have a
few questions (and if you can only, or only feel like only, answering one, that is great too!):
1. I realize that spring and cherry blossom season is a great time to visit, but I am stuck with winter. Will it be a downer unless I am some sort of wabi-sabi fanatic? Will it be miserable to slosh around visiting sites in Kyoto and exploring Tokyo, making it preferable to hold off until spring, particularly for a first-time visitor?
2. How do I go about directly booking Tawaraya, or is there a better way of doing so?
3. Will I be facing "single supplements" for staying solo (I gather the nightly price usually includes breakfast and dinner and the price is therefore per person, BUT based upon double occupancy...
4. Having read, I think, every post on FT about the Tawaraya / Hiiragiya "conundrum", is there any really recent information or changes that may make one more desirable for me?
5. Are Ryokans not for me, since I would never stay at a kibbutz, never answer the door to fundraisers, hate doormen watching over me, and generally don't like people telling me what to do and when to do it? Also, I don't dig rustic. I am however, trying to press myself into expanding my horizons...
6. Are rates in the dead of winter, such as first week of February, generally lower than at other times of year, and how soon should I reserve?
7. In case anybody is wondering, I am leaning towards the Peninsula in Tokyo, but hotel selection there is not as tricky an issue for me.....
8. I am really looking forward to the Kaiseki dinners at Tawaraya or Hiiragiya, but for Tokyo, was looking to get the "real deal" A5 Wagyu for dinner. Any recommendations?
Many thanks FT'sers. I will be providing a full trip report in appreciation of your amazing collective assistance, as usual.