Originally Posted by
RTW1
That's indeed the night that opened up at the last minute, didn't last long though since Kyoto seemed fully booked.
I had paid for a Twin Balcony room the next day, so it was a very pleasant surprise to have that room for two nights. I had anticipated having to move twice for the three nights (my own doing with all the last minute changes) so this was a lot better. And the room is very nice as well, having some seating is pleasant on a rainy day :-).
The crowds were everywhere we went in the last days, rows everywhere even at the simplest of noodle places. Yesterday morning I thought it would be a good idea to visit Tofukuji at opening.... a few thousand others had that same idea and there was a 30 minute wait even to get a ticket. Fortunately the temples in the NW of the city were nearly deserted.
Chisaku-in indeed was beautifull, and hardly any visitors at all.
I'm glad you had the balcony room last night. It would be one of the nicest rooms I can think of for a rainy day; open the doors to the balcony and listen to it come down.
Also glad you enjoyed Chisaku-in. It is our place to go whenever we have less than an hour to kill; always peaceful and a pleasant stroll.
Don't know if you're there for another night, but if you are, I forgot to recommend asking for the bath salts from the Convenience Collection list. It's very nice. For the hinoki tub you need at least 2 packs or even 3.
Unless the weather outlook is very bad, we'll be back on the 29th and then on Dec 5th for our last look at the foliage. Then we'll be there for New Years, from Dec 31 for either 2 or 3 nights.