Kyoto (Japan) > Reviews (6)

I visited Japan at the end of this July, and have only just returned. I must say it was the holiday of a lifetime. Flights cost £900 each via British Airways.

We visited Kyoto for 3 days. We got there via Shinkansen from Tokyo, and stayed at the New Miyakohotel, just over the road from Kyoto station.

Kyoto was absolutely gorgeous and very easy to navigate around. You can get just about anywhere you want to from Kyoto Station. There are buses, subwaytrains etc. 220 yen is all you need for a bus ride to anywhere along the Kyoto bus lines. That works out at around £1. You just hop on the bus and pay when you get off.

We visited Toei movie land which was a bit of a dissapointment. www.eigamura30.com. Looking at brochures we expected amazing movie scenes etc but it left a lot to be desired. A lot of it was shut off, and most of the attractions are outside, where the heat is unbearable. Entrance is only 2,000 yen each so its not too bad. Thats about £10 each. Keep an eye on the theatre though, because they often show some nice shows. We saw a brilliant samurai show, with audience interaction, and also a kids entertainment show, which was fun all the more, even if we couldn't understand the song. The haunted house in Toei movie land is absolutely excellent. I really was shaking in my shoes, i recommend it to anyone that can stomach things like this, its very realistic and scary. The best way to get to Toei is via the bus from Kyoto station, You can also go via rail - JR Sagano line, which is a 5 minute walk away.

I definitely recommend a visit to Daigoji temple, accessable via subway. Its very understated and isn't in many tourist guides. From Kyoto station you'd need to catch the JR Tokaido main line and get off at Yamashina station. Then you'd need to hop onto the subway train, getting off at Daigo station. Its a very impressive building and is amazing when its lit up at night. We were very lucky to catch it on the 5th of August when the lantern festival is in place. Thousands of lanterns are lit by locals to guide the lost spirits home for the holidays. Absolutely beautiful.

The golden pavillion is another must see. The original was burnt down in 1950, so this is a replica, but it is a fantastic one. Sitting upon a huge pond, the pavillion has a gorgeous reflection. Surrounded by lots of foilage and woodland, the golden pavillion is one of the best places i've been to in Japan. Looking into and around the pond you will see Herons, turtles and koi. Again, this is easiest accessable via the bus from kyoto station, and get off at the Kinkakuji Michi stop. Its about a 40 minute ride away, but it only costs £1.10, its amazing! Well worth it.

Kyoto Zoo is not recommended by me. Whilst there are beautiful animals inside and admission is very cheap, you can see why once you enter. Animals are really not given enough space, and they were all panting in the 40 degree heat. I dread to wonder how the polar bear felt. The national art museum is also not recommended by me, but art has never been my thing.

It is only 200 yen (£1) to enter each exhibition though. If you do wish to go here, its best accessable via the bus from Kyoto station as it drops you right outside both of them.

The Kyoto station in itself is also an attraction. Its right next to the amazing Kyoto Tower, which was actually designed to look like a candle, but i don't think it looks anything like a candle. The station is full of shops, restaurants and a huge department store! =)

Kyoto in itself is definitely a place to go and see. Its a lot more traditional than the Tokyo side of Japan. Whilst there aren't many traditional courtyard buildings left, and its difficult to spot a real geisha (visit gion corner for that!) its very different. And travel is cheap!

Whats best is we got an all inclusive trip including Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo station to Kyoto station,and 3 nights in the New Miyako hotel for just £150 each. Its definitely worth looking up!