Thank you everyone for your thoughts.
I have narrowed my search down to three different places.
1) Ryokan Kohro (which is more expensive about 20500 yen for 3 people, but seems more centrally located and while it looks more like a hotel appears to have nice baths)
2) Matsuba-ya Inn - which has a better price only 15300 yen for three people and looks quite nice but I think there is an 11pm curfew which I don't like and finally 3) Aoi-so Inn. This seems nice as well and is only 15500 yen for three people and has a coin laundry and no curfew but you have to pay for everything seperatly for example 100 yen for 10 min of kitchen use or 100 yen for 15 min of shower.
Out of these options does anyone have any opionions or advise? There will be ten of us staying (6 adults and 4 children).
How likely is it that there will be things to do after 11 pm? Should I worry about the curfew?
2007-02-19 05:37:55 · 2 answers · asked by sage 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
Just about any traditional inn you stay at in Japan will have a posted curfew (usually 11pm or 12pm). Take this very seriously, as these inns will lock their doors and you will be stuck if not back in time. If staying out late is an issue for you then look at either a ryokan hotel, which while it has some of the amernities of a ryokan operates more like a normal hotel, or a western-style hotel. But I found that the curfew was not an issue at all, as I was usually out all day and by the time I came back after dinner I was ready to fall flat on my face!
I stayed at the Matsubaya this past October for six days and found it a great compromise between the high-end ryokans in Kyoto and a western-style hotel. It's an older place, with a few of the disadvantages that come with an old traditional Japanese building (thin walls, steep staircase), but I found the pluses far ourweighed the minses.
First of all, Mrs. Hayashi who owns the inn is an absolute delight! She tries very hard to be helpful to her guests even if her English isn't so great. The inn is centrally located just a 10 minute walk away from Kyoto station, making it ideal for sightseers trying to get around the city. The inn is off on a side-street so while you're close by the main drag, it's very quiet. Price-wise, it's ideal for a traveller on a budget and they have a fridge and a microwave if you want to keep some food there for yourself. There is a coin laundry for guests, and a computer with free internet access available in the main area. They don't charge your for the shower, bath, sitting area...
Kyoto has a great night-life and it's fun to go out, but I was more itnerested in getting up early, grabbing breakfast and getting out to see things, so I didn't mind early nights in! And for breakfast, there's a great place down on Kamijuzuyamachi-dori as you walk towards Kyoto Station called the Cafe Roma. They serve a morning set that includes coffee, toast, 1 egg, a slice of ham and salad for Y500. The young woman who runs it is an absolute doll!
2007-02-19 07:01:22 · answer #1 · answered by Ravanne_1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no curfew for adults in japan, some curfew for child, but really loose, and if with parents no problems, specially if you are foreigner or GAIJIN, since local police try to avoid foreigner to avoid english.
things to do after 11pm in kyoto.... there are many bars, and clubs, but i dont know any...
have a nice trip, i dont know about any hotels lol.
2007-02-26 16:36:31 · answer #2 · answered by cb450t 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋