Kyoto so much loverliness: GETTING THERE

Kyoto is filled with everything that you go to Japan to see and experience, temples, cafe, gardens, traditional architecture, geishas, traditional and new foods, and everything else you expect and some surprises too. There's a lot to tell for Kyoto so this will be more than one post. First things first getting there is very easy, if you're coming by way of Tokyo or Osaka. From Tokyo Go to the JR ticket center in the East building of the Shinjuku station the day before departing to get your tickets, you are buying shinkansen tickets (bullet train), this ticket will only pay for the shinkansen, but you will be taking another train first.

Getting there: Take the JR Yamanote line from Shinjuku station to Shinagawa Station (it's about a 25 min trip)this is a separate ticket if you do not have a JR Rail Pass which I highly recommend you get one in your country of origin, the voucher that is. When you get to Shinagawa station find your gate it's really easy, it's should be on your ticket. Then you find your car # on the ticket also and stand on a line to get on the train, there are electronic signs announcing the trains coming in in Japanese and english, there are train conductor's on the platform too that you can ask if you are confused. The trip is about 2hr 20mins, bring a snack or lunch, it's very common to eat on these trains and the snacks offered by the attendants are pricey and not very nutrious.. You'll arrive at JR Kyoto station, here you'll find buses, local subways, and cab stands, take a cab to find your hotel. You'll also find a tourist information center (info below). Getting there from Osaka is really easy you have a couple of options "The JR Tokaido Shinkansen requires 15 minutes and costs 1380 Yen (by unreserved seat) from not so centrally located Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.

Almost equally fast are the special rapid trains on the JR Kyoto Line, which require about 25 minutes and cost 540 Yen from more centrally located Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.

By Hankyu Railways:

Limited express trains on the Hankyu Kyoto Line get you from Umeda Station (next to JR Osaka Station) to Karasuma and Kawaramachi Stations in central Kyoto in roughly 40 minutes and for 390 Yen.

By Keihan Railways:

Limited express trains on the Keihan Main Line get you from Yodoyabashi Station in central Osaka to Sanjo Station in central Kyoto in roughly 50 minutes and for 400 Yen." (Osaka info from Japan-guide.com)

KYOTO TOURIST INFORMATION - operated by Kyoto Prefecture
Add: 9th Fl., JR Kyoto Station, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KYOTO 600-8216 JAPAN
Phone: 075-344-3300
Open: 10:00-18:00 daily.
Closed: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month and Year-end and New Year Holiday.

Good Kyoto maps
map 1
map 2


Yamanote Line

Park Hyatt Tokyo BRUNCH!!!! Oy-shi Indeed!

Dessert table @ the Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel

Delicious food and fabulous views and you get to hang out where "Lost in Translation" was filmed, the Park Hyatt Tokyo Hotel, spectacular! Okay, this brunch will be hands down the best brunch of your life, and I've had a lot of brunches in New York, the land of the brunch. It's only on Sundays, so if you are in Tokyo on a Sunday take advantage. It's about $60 USD, and that may seem steep, but you get an unlimited appetizing table (buffet style), amazing entree (I had the steak), multiple beverages including an alcoholic one, and my favorite, a dessert table!!! With unlimited coffee and tea! It's a lovely experience altogether, they seat you in the main dining area and it's truly fine dining service, you can get up to go to the appetizing table multiple times, after your meal is complete they bring you into a different part of the bar/restaurant where a live jazz performer will be singing and playing and you are left to your own devices to attack the dessert table!!!! VERY IMPORTANT, YOU MUST MAKE A RESERVATION!!! Ask your concierge at your hotel or a friend who speaks Japanese to make the reservation for you, we were very fortunate that with one day's notice we were able to get a reservation. Don't forget to visit the lobby where Charlotte and Bob hung out :)

Location:

Park Hyatt Tokyo
3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku
Tokyo
163-1055
Japan
Tel: +81 3 5322 1234
Fax: +81 3 5322 1288
Email: tokyo.park@hyatt.com


Getting there: map & directions


View from Restaurant
More desserts!
The swimming Pool at the Park Hyatt Tokyo
And even more desserts! Yum!

Ghibli Musuem

The Ghibli Museum is a great treat for the young and old, and everyone in between. The Ghibli is Japan's equivalent to Disney studios. Ghibli studios have put out such movies as "Howl's Moving Castle" and "My Neighbor Tortoro". The museum offers a variety of activities for kids and for Adults, the architect and grounds alone our just amazing to see. When you turn in your ticket voucher you'll get a a ticket made of piece of film strip which makes a great souvenir, this ticket also gets you into a short film in the museum. The museum is magical that's the only way to describe it, but skip the souvenir shop you can get all the same stuff in any toy store in Tokyo like Kiddyland in Harajuku
I actually had booked my ticket for my very first morning in Tokyo which I thought might be crazy but it worked out perfect because it was a day of thunderstorms so it was a nice indoor activity.

First things first, tickets, you must purchase your ticket in advance at a participating agent like JTB or other Japan specific travel agency before leaving your home country. I also hear that you can get them at a Lawson, which are convenient stores in Japan, but I don't know this for a fact. Since they only sell a certain amount of tickets for a day's entrance I would probably not trust leaving the chance that there are no tickets for the time you are in Tokyo, pre-book your tickets, you will need your passport.

Getting there is very easy:

Take the JR Chuo Line to Mitaka Station (approximately 20 mins from Shinjuku station). Walk downstairs outside the station there are multiple bus stops take the one to the Ghibili museum, buy your ticket for the bus at the automatic machine right next to the line que. It's about Y300 round trip. You'll know it's the right bus because there's always a long line. You can ask the Bus driver to let you know when the Ghibli stop is but chances are everyone will be getting off with you.

There is no picture taking allowed inside the museum.