After sending some inquiry emails directly to hotels and ryokans I'm getting various responses:

-New Miyako Hotels says they are completely booked Nov. 13-18 already
-Ryokan Kyoraku says to check back after July 1
-Palace Side Hotel has rooms and will make the reservation after Jan. 1, 8600Y
for a twin
-listing on VRBO for apt. has availability for the dates I want, $120 a night
-Citadines Karasuma; reserved studio for Y14000 night. #2 on TA

So I'll contact a few more places to see about making a cancelable reservation and then look for something more desirable 3-6 months before November. I want to stay by the train station as we will be doing numerous day trips and I don't want to have to spend so much time and yen getting to and from the station. I'd like to be able to walk there.