Kyoto and Kobe on the cheap …

[Dungheap 243]

Spent a few days last week in Kyoto and Kobe.

Stayed at the Hoshinoya Resort in Arashiyama, western Kyoto.

Only regular access is by boat.

 

 

Scenic entry to the resort

 

 

 

 

Daytime view.

 

 

Time to chill

 

 

Kaiseki course for dinner hit the spot!

 

 

Seared tuna sashimi on a bed of couscous with Cyprian sea salt with citron.

 

 

Range of rooms, all old-style Japanese with modern creature comforts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pinewood bath

 

 

Ride in a rickshaw (great way to pick up birds!)

 

 

Floating kiosks

 

 

 

Natural fridge (stream water through the fish tank onto the drinks) Fook room temperature!

 

 

Snack time for the resident hawk!

 

 

Out and about at night in the Pontocho area, one of my favorite parts of Japan!

 

 

 

 

Awesome pizza place!

 

 

I'm in love … with the incense ceremony! She can light my aroma any day!

 

 

 

Part Two to follow: Kobe beef in Kobe.

 

Oh yeah, see yas in Patts in 20 days!

Edited June 8, 2012 by Dungheap

[MM 6,562]

Damn, it's so clean and orderly.

 

Is it really "cheap" though?

[Dungheap 243]

Was cheap for me squire .. only cause I was on the account.

Edited June 8, 2012 by Dungheap

[Baht 9]

Nice pics. Hope you were wearing your radiation suit.

[Idefix 2,275]

Thanks Dungheap for these pictures. Beautiful.

I always liked this "Japanese traditionnal way of life",

but most places I looked at were way out of price for me.

In fact the whole Japan seems out of price for me...

[cluster 14]

Nice pics there dungheap!

 

Thanks for posting them.

 

Cheers

 

Cluster

[bigdelta 46]

Certainly not cheap if we're paying for it.But very nice nonetheless.

I took the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto in 1972.And had my 1st Kobe beef then too.Amazing.

 

Damn, it's so clean and orderly.

 

Is it really "cheap" though?

[Dungheap 243]

Thanks Dungheap for these pictures. Beautiful.

I always liked this "Japanese traditionnal way of life",

but most places I looked at were way out of price for me.

In fact the whole Japan seems out of price for me...

 

Idefix, Japan is no where near as expensive as people make it. Many opinions seemed influenced by the "bubble economy" days of the 80s when money appeared to grow on trees ...

 

Those times have long passed.

 

Sure there are expensive restaurants and hotels here but the same can be said for most countries.

 

All sorts of reasonable hotel and dining out options if you look.

 

:

Edited June 9, 2012 by Dungheap

[danboy 151]

Great pics, that place looks amazing!

[Idefix 2,275]

Idefix, Japan is no where near as expensive as people make it.

Many opinions seemed influenced by the "bubble economy" days of the 80s when money appeared to grow on trees ...

 

Hi Dungheap,

You could be right. I remember I begin to organize a trip in Japan in early 1990. At this time there was no Internet. Getting information about hotels and transportation timetable was a challenge. I had to go through Tourist Companies to get information and prices. Hotels and tourists attraction were expensive then. Hotels in Tokyo or Osaka were really at crazy price for what looks like rather basic small room... I abandoned this project.

 

I admit I have absolutely no idea of prices in Japan today. Maybe I could look at it now again, 20 years latter... With Internet and the many trip/tourists forums it could be a lot easier to get good information. :)

[MM 6,562]

I would think with the strong yen, prices would be high in most currencies.

Dunheap, if you're paid in yen, maybe it's cheap to you?

[Baht 9]

Travel guide to Japan including general costs.

 

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2410.html

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Thanks for the pics Dougie. One place on the planet that I've still got on my 'to do' list ...

[Fireman Sam 336]

Great looking resort, hope you had suitable company to make the stay perfect. Looking forward to part two, thanks for posting.

 

Never made it to Japan myself, maybe one one day.

 

 

Regards

[Dungheap 243]

I would think with the strong yen, prices would be high in most currencies.

Dunheap, if you're paid in yen, maybe it's cheap to you?

 

You could be right Martin but generally speaking "business" hotels, i.e. 2-3 star hotels cost around US$30-40 a night in Tokyo. Decent restaurant lunch about $8, upscale $12-15. Japan Rail Pass is a bargain at $250 for 7 days travel. A range of similar passes also available.

 

P4P?

 

Not cheap! But the local lasses aren't exactly "fussy"!

[MM 6,562]

You could be right Martin but generally speaking "business" hotels, i.e. 2-3 star hotels cost around US$30-40 a night in Tokyo. Decent restaurant lunch about $8, upscale $12-15. Japan Rail Pass is a bargain at $250 for 7 days travel. A range of similar passes also available.

 

P4P?

 

Not cheap! But the local lasses aren't exactly "fussy"!

 

Those are very reasonable prices...surprisingly so. Thanks for the clarification...especially about the girls not being "fussy"!