Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa

Entry containing 30 photos titled: Maiko in Kyoto, Hida Kokubunji Temple, Takayama, Nikko, Himeji Castle, Himeji Castle, Himeji Castle, Deer at Nara Park, Todaiji Temple Nara, Cherry Blossom tree, Cherry blossoms, Cherry blossoms, Japanese lunch at Koyasan, Osaka Castle, Azalea at Arashiyama, Arashiyama, Bamboo forest Arashiyama, Bamboo forest Arashiyama, Bamboo forest Arashiyama, Japanese ladies at Arashiyama, Cherry blossoms at night in Gion, Nijo Castle, Golden Pavilion, Hida Folk Village Takayama, Hida Folk Village Takayama, Tokyo bridge, Statue of Liberty Tokyo, Nikko, Nikko, Nikko, Japanese Garden Nikko

We boarded the Shinkansen at 8.15am bound for Kyoto and arrived about 10.30am, caught a taxi to the Kyoto Royal Hotel. Because check in was 2pm we left our luggage and journeyed off to the Gion district which was a 15 minute walk from the Hotel, we stayed in this Hotel when we were here in 2003 so we knew our way around. Had some lunch and took a walking tour cost $20 AU to Kiyomizudera Temple, we had never been there before and the temple was built on the hillside and had some great views ov...

Our second day in Kyoto and we boarded a local train and went to see the Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine in southern Kyoto. The head shrine of some 40,000 Inari shrines located throughout the land, it was founded in 711 and dedicated to five Shinto deities. The more than 10,000 red painted Torii gates stradling the four km path up the hill behind it were donated by the faithful, as were the many stone statues of foxes, messengers of the Inari Taisha Shrine. We spent some time there then headed ba...

We had to check out of the Ryokan but I wasn't going to go without one last soak in the Onsen before breakfast. Once again, the Onsen was deserted but it was a peaceful start to the morning. There is something special about being able to start a busy day with a quiet morning, free from distractions and played at ones leisure. We were served a traditional breakfast of grilled salmon, rice, grilled sesame, plenty of vegetables, the optional raw egg (which I declined!) and miso tea. I cheated an...

What a busy day today! I was lucky enough to visit UNESCO World Heritage sites in and around Kyoto today as well as catch some of the Kyoto nightlife at the beginning of a Japanese bank holiday weekend. Michi had warned me that a lot of walking would be involved and she wasn't joking! The Golden Pavilion Temple The day was fairly overcast and we headed out from the hotel in a taxi to the Rokuon-Ji Temple (i.e. The Golden Pavilion Temple). This was located to the West of town and unfortunately...

I thought I'd jot a few notes down for anyone who is thinking of doing a tour of Japan. Useful links here to websites, hotels, and traveling tips. Feel free to suggest any comments at the link below! Divided up into 4 sections: Travelling Accommodation Books Useful tips Travelling If you are intending on traveling around Japan on at least two long distance journeys, then the Japan Rail Pass Japan Travel www) will be essential for you. Finding information about it is easy but learning what the...

The Second day is the start of our own venture into a strange new world called Japan. We have planned to go to the ancient city of Nara. From the hotel we stayed in, we took a subway to Kyoto Station. The route itself is such that we have to change station at Karasuma Oike from Shiyakushomae and then to Kyoto station itself. I took us about one hour to reach Nara via the JR train. There were actually 2 types of train, one is the fast non all station train and the other is the slow all station...

We arrived at Osaka airport in the morning of 18th. As this is a trip partly organized by the event organizer, it is rather easy to just wait for the tour guide/bus to show up and take us from the airport to Kyoto. The trip by bus to Kyoto took us more than 2 hours, taking into consideration of the roadwork along the way as well as a minor accident along the highway. The response team appeared to be very fast, with police car speeding along the emergency runway putting out flares on the groun...