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Traveling in Kyoto *RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE* - bizarrojosh - 2010-06-26
Hi all,
I live near Kyoto but until recently I haven't been able to actually visit the city. However that is about to change and now I have a couple of days next month that I would like to use to get to know the city a bit. Of course I have things that I want to do, but I thought that I would offer an opportunity for anyone to tell me about the best thing they did while in Kyoto. Any kind of activity is welcomed from museums, tourist spots, restaurants, bars, shopping, music venues, and anything that you might have experienced. Lodging recommendations are also welcomed. Japanese language is not a problem. I'm sure some of you have had a great time in Kyoto before right?
So what did you do?
Traveling in Kyoto *RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE* - REH94 - 2010-06-26
My favorite spot in the Kansai area as a whole was the Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社). It probably helps though that I was almost alone (it was winter during working hours) so I could explore in peace. The atmosphere is really nice (although it probably helped there were so few people) and the scenery is beautiful. I also ended up wandering off the maze of paths and into a bamboo grove where I ate lunch which was memorable seeing as I had never really seen bamboo like that before, hahaha. Despite spending WAY more time than the average person I was only there for the morning and I had lots of time to see other places in Kyoto after.
I also recommend Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺). I went there a couple of times because there are so many little things I had heard of but forgot to see/do. I went mostly around or on new years so again the timing is a little off which added a lot to the atmosphere... Kiyomizu is for sure a must see though, it is just so famous and it is close to a bunch of other places easily in walking distance.
Sorry for the long post, I'm sure other people will have better insight but these are the ones I recommend.
EDIT: Hahaha, darn wards they get me every time! And I guess Ginkakuji is all back to normal.
Traveling in Kyoto *RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE* - jeffhamann - 2010-06-26
If it's a nice enough day out, I'd recommend going to the Arashiyama area on the outskirts of Kyoto. You can get there by taking the Kyoto subway system to Nijo-jo, and transferring to the JR line from there. I can't remember the JR line's name, but I know it goes through the main Kyoto station as well. It's a scenic area with some bamboo forests, a nice river, and some neat little restaurants. Note that on holidays, this place can be JAMMED with tourists...but even so, walking along the river is still relaxing in its own way. One of the mountains in the area has wild monkeys living on it, and it's a good climb with a great view of the Kyoto area.
Ginkaku-ji is no longer under reconstruction; I was there a few weeks ago and all was back to normal. Definitely worth checking out.
Nijo-jo is a great attraction to see, as well. It's right next to a subway stop (Nijo-jo mae, I believe it's called), and it's a complex with two castles and surrounding gardens. Well worth checking out.
Kinkaku-ji is a beautiful area, as well. I'd look into going there, too.
I don't really know much about places to stay in Kyoto, unfortunately. I live just over in Shiga, so I've always just caught the trains back at night (or missed the last one and had to pace around the station 'til 5:30 AM for the first train), so I can't be much help there.
Have a good time!
Traveling in Kyoto *RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE* - Tzadeck - 2010-06-26
Actually, Fushimi Inari strictly is in Kyoto. Fushimi-ku is the southernmost ward of Kyoto city. Also, the stop is just a few minutes from Kyoto station (and you can also take the Keihan if you're coming from downtown). I also highly recommend Fushimi Inari, it's one of my favorite touristy-places in Kyoto.
As for bars, there's two that I really love. The first is very near (a one minute walk) from the Hankyu line Saiin station (the station at Nishioji-Shijo, in case you're taking a bus). It's called "Le Monument Bleu." The bar is a Belgian beer bar, and has well more than 100 Belgian beers. It also has really great cheese, sausage, quiche, etc. It's also got low light and a good mood if you want to take a date there. Awesome bar. There's also a Belgian beer 飲み放題, but it limits your beer choice to maybe 20 beers. If you want to go, there's a Mos Burger if you walk a bit down Nishioji from the station. Turn right into the small street right before the Mos Burger. Then turn left at the next street. Le Monument Bleu is on your right (next to a karaoke place), look for the blue sign.
The second is downtown, near either the Sanjo Keihan subway/keihan or the Kawaramachi Hankyu station. It's called Ishimaru Shouten (石丸商店). It's on Kiyamachi, between Sanjo and Shijo, and is much closer to the Shijo side of things. This bar might be exceedingly hard to find however, and I can't think of a good way to explain it. Anyway, it's a very small bar that plays mostly Gypsy Jazz music, but you occasionally also hear really old American blues, and sometimes a little folk (I think recently the guy is into Bob Dylan). It's very small, and a good place to meet and talk to Japanese people. If you're particularly interested, I can try to think of a better way to explain where it is. Drinks there are mostly Japanese beer/sake/shochu/umeshu. I avoid Japanese beers, so I usually go for the umeshu.
Traveling in Kyoto *RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE* - Evil_Dragon - 2010-06-26
There's many places in and around Kyoto that were breathtaking, especially if you are fond of history, temples etc.
Byoudouin (平等院, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By%C5%8Dd%C5%8D-in ) (which is in Uji, so it takes a while to get there.. but there's also the oldest standing Shinto Shrine in all of Japan )
Touji (東寺, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8D-ji )
Nijoujou (二条城 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nij%C5%8D_Castle )
Sanjuusangendou (三十三間堂 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanj%C5%ABsangen-d%C5%8D )
Nanzenji (南禅寺 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanzenji )
Tenryuuji (天竜寺 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenryuji )
Nara is also worth a side trip.
You can basically spend weeks there and still not see everything.
Traveling in Kyoto *RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE* - bluemarigolds - 2010-06-26
The flea market at To-Ji temple on the 21st of each month is a lot of fun. You can haggle, too. =)
A hike up daimonji yields a really beautiful view of the city. If you go during Obon, I believe they set it on fire.
Kyotogyoen is nice place to stroll. The Imperial Palace is open to the public twice a year, in the spring and fall. You can, however, arrange for a tour. I'm not sure what the cost is associated with this. (http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/)
If you have an interest in Japanese theater (Noh and Kyogen, specifically), check out the Kyoto Kanze Kaikan. I think tickets range between 2500-4000 yen.
I would definitely check out Daishodo (http://www.kyotokyoto.jp/shop/sc001/index.html). It's got a wonderful selection of antique woodblock prints among other things that aren't all that expensive, considering. Worth window shopping.
Traveling in Kyoto *RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE* - bizarrojosh - 2010-06-26
Thanks for recommendations everyone.
The flea market sounds really interesting. As do all the other spots everyone's mentioned.
Traveling in Kyoto *RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE* - BlackMarsh - 2010-06-27
I second (or third) Fushimi Inari Taisha. You can get to the precinct within minutes from Kyoto Station. I went there on a weekday, not really knowing what to expect. From memory, I simply wanted to go to the south-east of Kyoto because I had been to the other places. I had no idea what I was in for.
Once you get to the end of the stunning walk through the mountains you can trail back to the station through the tiny streets and neighbourhoods that sit at the foot of the mountains. There are quite a few restaurants and little shops also where among other things you can try your luck at grilled sparrow (I wasn't game). If you rush you could probably take in the whole area in a couple of hours giving you time to see some other parts. But I recommend more than that.
If you have time you should see the typical Kyoto stuff like Gion, the Flower Quarter, Kiomizu Tera, and all the famous little shopping streets that make up the area.
Traveling in Kyoto *RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE* - bodhisamaya - 2010-06-27
If you are looking for a cheap place to crash, I stayed here for three months in 2007. Back then it was 900yen per night including free coffee and internet.
http://kyoto.cheapest-inn.com/index_j.html