How to split 7 days
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Saipan, MP
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Alaska 75K, United Platinum
Posts: 203
How to split 7 days
Hi Everyone,
My girlfriend and I are planning a short 7-night trip in January 2019 to Tokyo and Kyoto. We are staying with Marriott Points so I would prefer to split our time between 5 and 2 nights in each city to take advantage of the SPG/Marriott 5th free night. We are leaning towards spending 5 nights in Kyoto and only 2 in Tokyo, but some of our friends have suggested we do the opposite. Anyone have any input that would help sway our decision one way or the other? This will be our first of hopefully many trips to Japan so we're looking to see as many things as we can during our short stay.
Also, for Kyoto hotels we are deciding between the RC Kyoto or the Suiran. I don't have any RC status (only Gold Marriott/SPG) so I know I would get to enjoy free breakfast or anything. However the Suiran apparently has some sort of resort fee? Anyhow, just looking for any suggestions between the two; all of the review I have read online for each have been great.
Thanks everyone!
My girlfriend and I are planning a short 7-night trip in January 2019 to Tokyo and Kyoto. We are staying with Marriott Points so I would prefer to split our time between 5 and 2 nights in each city to take advantage of the SPG/Marriott 5th free night. We are leaning towards spending 5 nights in Kyoto and only 2 in Tokyo, but some of our friends have suggested we do the opposite. Anyone have any input that would help sway our decision one way or the other? This will be our first of hopefully many trips to Japan so we're looking to see as many things as we can during our short stay.
Also, for Kyoto hotels we are deciding between the RC Kyoto or the Suiran. I don't have any RC status (only Gold Marriott/SPG) so I know I would get to enjoy free breakfast or anything. However the Suiran apparently has some sort of resort fee? Anyhow, just looking for any suggestions between the two; all of the review I have read online for each have been great.
Thanks everyone!
#2
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
Personally, for a ~1 week trip I would do the Tokyo area or Kyoto/Osaka/Nara/Kobe/etc area, but not both. Especially since you've said that you are planning future trips anyway.
As your trip is in January I would do 5n Tokyo and 2n in one of the ski resorts up in Nagano or Yamagata. If you're not the ski'ing type then maybe Hakone or Kawaguchiko, etc?
Alternately 5n Kyoto, 2n Osaka, Kobe, Nara, etc.
If you insist on touching both areas then it depends whether you want more of the cultural/traditional side of Japan, or more of the pop culture side.
As your trip is in January I would do 5n Tokyo and 2n in one of the ski resorts up in Nagano or Yamagata. If you're not the ski'ing type then maybe Hakone or Kawaguchiko, etc?
Alternately 5n Kyoto, 2n Osaka, Kobe, Nara, etc.
If you insist on touching both areas then it depends whether you want more of the cultural/traditional side of Japan, or more of the pop culture side.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Saipan, MP
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Alaska 75K, United Platinum
Posts: 203
Personally, for a ~1 week trip I would do the Tokyo area or Kyoto/Osaka/Nara/Kobe/etc area, but not both. Especially since you've said that you are planning future trips anyway.
As your trip is in January I would do 5n Tokyo and 2n in one of the ski resorts up in Nagano or Yamagata. If you're not the ski'ing type then maybe Hakone or Kawaguchiko, etc?
Alternately 5n Kyoto, 2n Osaka, Kobe, Nara, etc.
If you insist on touching both areas then it depends whether you want more of the cultural/traditional side of Japan, or more of the pop culture side.
As your trip is in January I would do 5n Tokyo and 2n in one of the ski resorts up in Nagano or Yamagata. If you're not the ski'ing type then maybe Hakone or Kawaguchiko, etc?
Alternately 5n Kyoto, 2n Osaka, Kobe, Nara, etc.
If you insist on touching both areas then it depends whether you want more of the cultural/traditional side of Japan, or more of the pop culture side.
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
I am sure the Suiren is a fine hotel but it is not really IN Kyoto. It is in a nearby area called Arashiyama. There is nothing wrong with Arashiyama, it has some interesting sights, but there would be a short commute to see the actual sights of Kyoto. The RC is right in a major tourism area of the city, next door to Sanjusangendo temple and across the street from the Kyoto National Museum. The famous Kiyomizudera temple is within a short walk, as is the "Pottery Slope" walking street which leads up to it. There is a main tourist bus stop right outside the hotel.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
I love Tokyo, and it is not lacking in culture, but it seems that Kyoto would be better for your purposes.
Just one caution, though. I know people who have been disappointed that Kyoto does not look like the set of a samurai film. There are plenty of areas that are completely modern. However, the history and culture are there if you know where to look, which is why a city guidebook is essential.
Just one caution, though. I know people who have been disappointed that Kyoto does not look like the set of a samurai film. There are plenty of areas that are completely modern. However, the history and culture are there if you know where to look, which is why a city guidebook is essential.