cheap Japanese style Ryokan for the experience

Posted by Yuka as City Tokyo

Arashiyama was nice for the foot bath during pouring rain, and the zen garden right across from it - beautiful. seeing the mtns was nice but the touristy area I could have done without.

I loved Fushimi Inari temple because no tourists were around once we got on the bamboo path and we were by ourselves the rest of the walk, which took quite awhile. It was the best day in Japan for me.

sorry I missed the Golden Pavilion. I would not suggest imperial palace for anyone not able to go inside.

I would suggest, if you want a cheap Japanese style Ryokan for the experience, where we stayed: Satomo Ryokan. It is right outside of Kyoto Station. Convenient but if you come in after 11pm you have to call for them to let you inside. (although Kyoto is not a nightlife place anyway). We got the full Japanese experience - the kimonos, sleeping on the tatami mat, the green tea pot in the room, the breakfast complete with tofu boiling over a fire…..excellent vegetarian breakfast for me. (I had a rough time eating in Japan since I don’t eat fish). Satomo Ryokan was $80 per person a night, US dollars, incl. breakfast and the hot bath on the 5th floor.