2 full days in Kyoto - go to Nara?
#16
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
I rarely go to Todaidji unless I'm chaperoning someone who has read too many guides books. Horyuji and Toshodai, however are IMHO sublimely beautiful, the buildings are more than twice as old as almost everything in Kyoto, the sculpture at Horyuji is (again IMHO) among the best ever done anywhere at anytime. For me, these temples make me feel a real tangible connection to the ancient past.
#17
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: CMI
Programs: AA Plat, Delta Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 138
This is great to hear. I'm so glad the heat didn't make your trip any less great. I've been a little stressed about it, so I'm glad to have firsthand knowledge.
I have heard that about the location. Did you utilize taxis at all? I read that a taxi from the Hyatt to Gion is only around 700 yen, which seems very reasonable to me.
I have heard that about the location. Did you utilize taxis at all? I read that a taxi from the Hyatt to Gion is only around 700 yen, which seems very reasonable to me.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
When we went last August it was really hot and humid, but we made due and it definitely didn't spoil the trip. Like you said stay hydrated and make good use of all of the vending machines!
We also stayed at the Hyatt in Kyoto on our trip. The hotel is excellent, but it isn't too centrally located. There is a bus stop nearby that you can use to get around much of the city, but if you want to use the trains you'll have to take a 15-20 minute walk.
We also stayed at the Hyatt in Kyoto on our trip. The hotel is excellent, but it isn't too centrally located. There is a bus stop nearby that you can use to get around much of the city, but if you want to use the trains you'll have to take a 15-20 minute walk.
Today, for example:
we're staying at a guest house in Gion, and caught the 201 bus and took it up to the northwest corner of the Imperial Gardens, arriving at 9:15 we were lucky to snag admission to the 10:00 English-speaking tour. Brutally hot, and not much shade, but at 11:00 when the tour ended we found our way back to the 201 and took it all the way around to the covered market on Shiji-Dori, and we're cooled down when we arrived. The market is shady and we strolled around and had some lunch. Back to the apartment by 2:00, and we'll venture out for dinner at about 6:00 after a nice siesta.
Oh - take umbrellas and a sweat rag - the locals all do and they make a huge difference - nothing like sweat dripping off your nose! Some clever people have "sweat scarfs" that drape over your shoulders.
#21
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
Hi folks -
I'm going to Kyoto for the first time with my husband (he has been to Kyoto multiple times) and my folks in August. We'll arrive Saturday evening (probably only with enough time and energy to grab dinner), have Sunday and Monday in Kyoto, and then head to Tokyo on Tuesday afternoon.
We are arranging private tours and are just wondering if it would be recommended to stay/tour in Kyoto for the entire 2 days? The other option is to do a 6 hour tour of Kyoto on Sunday (plus dinner and exploration on our own, prob in Gion Sunday night), and then do a 6 hour Nara day tour on Monday, and then an hour and a halfish nighttime walking tour of Gion on Monday night.
Any suggestions? I wish we had maybe one more day in Kyoto but my parents are coming to Korea, and then they really wanted to go to Hong Kong, and of course they wanted to get to Tokyo for a few days as well, all within 2 weeks. So the planning just worked out that we'd only have 2 days in Kyoto. Any ideas or suggestions are really much appreciated!
I'm going to Kyoto for the first time with my husband (he has been to Kyoto multiple times) and my folks in August. We'll arrive Saturday evening (probably only with enough time and energy to grab dinner), have Sunday and Monday in Kyoto, and then head to Tokyo on Tuesday afternoon.
We are arranging private tours and are just wondering if it would be recommended to stay/tour in Kyoto for the entire 2 days? The other option is to do a 6 hour tour of Kyoto on Sunday (plus dinner and exploration on our own, prob in Gion Sunday night), and then do a 6 hour Nara day tour on Monday, and then an hour and a halfish nighttime walking tour of Gion on Monday night.
Any suggestions? I wish we had maybe one more day in Kyoto but my parents are coming to Korea, and then they really wanted to go to Hong Kong, and of course they wanted to get to Tokyo for a few days as well, all within 2 weeks. So the planning just worked out that we'd only have 2 days in Kyoto. Any ideas or suggestions are really much appreciated!
I think that Kyoto is very much a 2 day minimum city for a first timer (like I was). Even for a first timer who's not big into temples/shrines and the like.
Especially in August - when the weather seems to be about the same as we have in Florida (I think lots of the posts here about doing things in the summer - i.e., getting up and out early - then resting inside in the afternoon - then going out again in the evening - are on target).
FWIW - we spent 3 days in Kyoto on our first and only trip to Japan. We were supposed to go to Nara on the 3rd day - but we were too tired (it wasn't even in the summer - but it was at the end of about an 18 day trip).
As for seeing deer. You can come to my house and see them in my backyard eating my flowers. A pox on those deer (I wouldn't go 5 feet out of my way to see a deer)!!!! Robyn
#22
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
http://www.huntingforadventure.com/japan.html
#23
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
In that case, you might want to add the following to your Japan trip..
http://www.huntingforadventure.com/japan.html
http://www.huntingforadventure.com/japan.html
Living in a normal US homeowners association - guns are off limits.
And putting an antler rack up on a wall wouldn't be my preferred method of decorating.
Still - when I see those deer in my yard making lunch of my herbs and flowers and similar - it's all I can do to restrain myself. Robyn
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 335
hey thanks for all the replies. I was laughing at the deer comments. My parents have the same issue on their property - the deer eat all the landscaping. My dad has tried everything short of shooting them (we're not a hunting family :P) and nothing really works.
So we ended up cancelling our Nara tour for a number of reasons. Im glad we did as it was an all day trip and the heat is going to be oppressive. We're in Korea and its truly unbearable - I think its even hotter in Japan right now. So we'll go on our Kyoto day tour and then go off on our own the 2nd day.
So we ended up cancelling our Nara tour for a number of reasons. Im glad we did as it was an all day trip and the heat is going to be oppressive. We're in Korea and its truly unbearable - I think its even hotter in Japan right now. So we'll go on our Kyoto day tour and then go off on our own the 2nd day.
#25
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
Hate to sound like a broken record - but try Mr. Doi for a guide in Kyoto:
http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~doitaxi/
Not only is he an excellent English speaking guide - but I'd bet his new van has great A/C! Robyn
http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~doitaxi/
Not only is he an excellent English speaking guide - but I'd bet his new van has great A/C! Robyn
#26
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Try a good slingshot with 1/2" steel balls.... or a dog.
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 335
Sigh...almost as soon as I wrote that reply, my mother in law started ranting about the radiation in Japan and cancelling our trip. I tried to argue with her but to no avail. I had to cancel the whole trip. I am SO bummed and a little bitter. Cant even believe it...
#28
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
That's too bad. We had some discussion about this here a while back. And I didn't get the impression that there were problems in Tokyo and points south. At my age - I am more worried about doctors ordering too many tests that involve radiation than going to Tokyo for a week. And - as far as Tokyo itself goes - I am more worried about earthquakes and typhoons than radiation. Robyn
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 335
That's too bad. We had some discussion about this here a while back. And I didn't get the impression that there were problems in Tokyo and points south. At my age - I am more worried about doctors ordering too many tests that involve radiation than going to Tokyo for a week. And - as far as Tokyo itself goes - I am more worried about earthquakes and typhoons than radiation. Robyn
Trying not to hate my MIL right now but between telling us we have to lose weight every 5 min and this, I'm realy struggling...
We now have 4 free hyatt nights (plus 2 that my parents are giving us). Maybe we'll go to Paris for New Years...). ㅠ.ㅠ so sad
#30
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
As you say.... a ridiculous notion. If she's worried about radiation, she should be concerned about the plane ride not the destination.