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"I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad” George Bernard Shaw. We travelers are a different breed though. Most of us would prefer a comfortable cozy room, which feels just like home, to crawl into after a hectic day of travel. Though the beautiful Kyoto is anything but hectic, for the casual tourist a nice hotel or place to stay is right on top of the travel list. Kyoto is visited by some 40 million visitors, ever year and Kyoto provides a diverse range of hotels and accommodations for them. From the princely Kyoto Hotel to the humble Greenpeace Inn, the city accommodates all budgets and tastes. Kyoto is also one of the few cities in Japan which offers tourists the opportunity to stay in a traditional ryokan, or Japanese inn, and experience the famed Japanese hospitality. One such place is Hiiragi-ya, which is a mere 15 minutes from the city center. If you lodge in a traditional ryokan certain cultural rituals must be observed and the occasional curfew may have to be adhered to. For example removing ones shoes before entering a building is considered polite. In fact you will probably be sleeping on futon-style mattresses on tatami floors, donning roomy yukata robes, soaking in relaxing steamy tubs and in the process will gain a valuable insight in to Japanese lifestyle. Obviously, these would be the right place to sample Japanese cuisine and wines. Here is a list of places to stay in Kyoto. Ryokans Mid range - Kikokuso: This ryokan is more than 120 years old with comfortable rooms and an attentive staff. - Ryokan Uemura: This quaint and homey ryokan needs to be booked in advance as it has only three rooms. - Seikoro Inn: With exquisite Japanese interiors and an elegant ambience this place too is worth a visit.
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- Tawaraya: Rumored to be three hundred years old and its guest list includes the royal family. Needless to say reservations need to be made moths in advance. - Yoshida Sanso: On the Yoshida-Yama mountain with a spectacular view. Hotels Mid Range - APA Hotel: Located close to the Kyoto station and provides internet access. Budget - Aoi-so Inn: Affordable and good value for money - Budget Inn: Has two dorm rooms and six private rooms. Rooms are airy, clean and well maintained and the inn is very close to Kyoto’s popular temples. Thus if you are looking for places to stay in Kyoto you are bound to find a variety of choice and you will not be able to help but feel at home!
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