Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel: A Japanese traditional living

Thousands of hotels, guesthouses, inns bed & breakfast to choose from in this must-visit city of Kyoto, but we opted to stay in a Japanese inn known as Ryokan. This type of room feature tatami-matted rooms where guests rest and sleep.

Kyoto Shuhokaku Hotel is a traditional inn that offers a perfect Japanese traditional experience from the rooms to the food they served, from the lounge to the common bath area.

Hotel Entrance

Once you enter the hotel, you will immediately find a small souvenir shop selling traditional products. Just go straight a little further to find the check-in desks and the staffs would gladly help you. They were very helpful and accommodating. In fact, they provided us with a map and suggested routes on how to go around Kyoto.

Japanese wearing Yukata

Even in the hallways, you would realize the traditional feel of the hotel. Travel Tip: You have private showers in the room you can go to a public bath for everyone (onsen). Likewise, if you want a public bath experience exclusive to your family (people you are with), you can ask a staff to reserve a public bath for you. 

Kyoto Downtown: A Museum Itself

April 26, 2013

When you talk about Japan, it’s about skyscrapers, technologically-advanced equipment, high-tech gadgets, heavy industries, famous cars and appliances, gaming consoles, etc., but outside the busy-streets and work-driven Tokyo city is a culturally-rich, laidback lifestyle, a museum itself in the central part of Honshu Island, KYOTO! It shouldn't be missed out.

Kyoto is the home of the country’s Emperor for more than 1000years (794-1868), UNESCO World Heritage Site, roughly 2000 temples and shrines, museums, castles and the famous Maiko (Geisha) entertainers in Gion Street.

It is located 458km from the capital Tokyo but the fastest Shinkansen bullet train (Nozomi train) can reach your destination in 2hrs and 20min. Needless to say, the speed and convenience of the train would equate to its price at around ¥14,000 for a one-way ride (Php6,000 or US$140). From Osaka, cultural city of Japan is just 55km, and its connected by several transport services – Shinkansen, Rapid trains, Subway lines, Buses, and taxes. There should be no problem connecting between these 2 cities because transportation is very convenient in Japan. Just be cautious in choosing your mode of transportation, it might just cost you few hundred bucks! For more information on transportation to Kyoto: Access to Kyoto

In our case, however, we came from Nagano prefecture and to save few bucks, we opted for the 7 hrs  16min overnight bus to Kyoto. But like what I said, its hassle-free! The bus left Nagano at 22:49H and arrived at Kyoto Station at exactly 06:05H. Travel Tip: Make sure to be in the station minutes before your scheduled trip since public transportation leaves on the dot. Consider the walking time to the platform/exact bus location. Not even a minute of late is tolerated there J

Kyoto Station Bus Stop