Downtown Kyoto - which district/ward?

[flowerpalms]

First time planning kyoto. solo traveller, looking for single bed room

Accomodation wise, choose downtown over kyoto station.

here's the question:

in downtown kyoto, so many districts/wards,
which one is more convenient in terms of transport, the main touristy districts/wards, food etc...

 

[anyhowsaysay]

From Kyoto station north, Gojo, Shijo, Sanjo those are fine to stay

As long as near the subway karasuma station

 

[flowerpalms]

From Kyoto station north, Gojo, Shijo, Sanjo those are fine to stay

As long as near the subway karasuma station

Is the karasuma station in downtown kyoto?

 

[anyhowsaysay]

Is the karasuma station in downtown kyoto?

Kyoto city is very small area.

The shopping district itself is located in Gion/Shijo/Sanjo area.

Gojo is located around 10-20mins away from Shijo/Gion

 

[flowerpalms]

Kyoto city is very small area.

The shopping district itself is located in Gion/Shijo/Sanjo area.

Gojo is located around 10-20mins away from Shijo/Gion

So where is the karasuma station at?

 

[snap99]

So where is the karasuma station at?

It’s near the key shopping belt of takashimaya, daimaru and walking distance to gion, marijuana-koen....

 

[anyhowsaysay]

So where is the karasuma station at?

Actually i meant Karasuma subway line

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karasuma_Line

This line connect Kyoto with Gojo, Shijo, Karasuma etc.
So as long as you stay near those station, easier to go other places or Kyoto Station which is the terminal station for many buses

 

[flowerpalms]

Noted on the subway transport maps. Thanks.

According to insidekyoto.com, understand that some temple attractions only accessible by bus. Using inoca haruka card. The website only says about which station to board the bus and the bus number. But, how to know where and when to alight the bus?

 

[kifo]

Noted on the subway transport maps. Thanks.

According to insidekyoto.com, understand that some temple attractions only accessible by bus. Using inoca haruka card. The website only says about which station to board the bus and the bus number. But, how to know where and when to alight the bus?

Google Map in Japan is detailed enough to tell you where to take the bus and how long you have to wait. Obviously it is linked up to the train times as well. And it even shows train delays due to accidents and events.

 

[flowerpalms]

Google Map in Japan is detailed enough to tell you where to take the bus and how long you have to wait. Obviously it is linked up to the train times as well. And it even shows train delays due to accidents and events.

Where to take the bus and bus number all this i can research from insidekyoto.com, no issues. What i mean is how to know where and when to alight the bus for those temple attractions? Check from google map?

 

[Gixxerfied]

Google map is your bff once there, transportation information on the fly..insidekyoto is just for doing research planning before the trip..

Dont die die just limit urself to one website for planning..

 

[flowerpalms]

Google map is your bff once there, transportation information on the fly..insidekyoto is just for doing research planning before the trip..

Dont die die just limit urself to one website for planning..

Its just a solo trip. Want to keep it simple.

 

[Gixxerfied]

Well, nothing to say if you dont trust google maps for navigation.

 

[kifo]

Where to take the bus and bus number all this i can research from insidekyoto.com, no issues. What i mean is how to know where and when to alight the bus for those temple attractions? Check from google map?

On Google Map, just search for direction from where your location is (default selection) to the temple you want to go to. It will show you where to take the bus/train and all the various timings.

 

[shadow84]

Based on TS' response in hardwareclinic sub-forum, i would say TS is the type who feels that his ideals/research/thoughts/opinions are correct. But at the same time, he wants other ppl to also approve of his opinions that are correct as well, even if there may be better advice.

Just tell him he is correct and move on bah. lol.

 

[flowerpalms]

Based on TS' response in hardwareclinic sub-forum, i would say TS is the type who feels that his ideals/research/thoughts/opinions are correct. But at the same time, he wants other ppl to also approve of his opinions that are correct as well, even if there may be better advice.

Just tell him he is correct and move on bah. lol.

I excited mah. First time planning it after thinking for so many years

 

[shadow84]

I excited mah. First time planning it after thinking for so many years

Excited is one thing, not accepting advice is another. I also changed my itinerary a few times by taking in their advice. Seems better constructed as to ehat i found.

Im sure u dun wanna ruin your solo trip with bad decisions, right? Then at that time, you may have thought, " I should have followed his/her advice back then."

 

[asiatravelbug]

Is the karasuma station in downtown kyoto?

Yes, Karasuma is in Downtown Kyoto. While it directly connected via subway to Kyoto Station, Karasuma is located in the eastern side of Downtown Kyoto which is not that lively. From Karasuma, it is also quite a far walk to go to Gion/Higashiyama district especially during cold season. I have personally stayed at Karasuma during my very first trip to Kyoto. However, after visiting Kyoto several times, I found that there are other places in Downtown Kyoto which are better than Karasuma.

Imagine Downtown Kyoto as a square box bordered by Karasuma to the east, Kawaramachi to the west, Sanjo to the north and Shijo to the south.

My recommended place to stay in Kyoto is Downtown Kawaramachi for these reasons:
1. Easy walking distance to Gion and Higashiyma district which is just a bridge away. This means no need to take the crowded buses in Kyoto to get to nearby tourist places.
2. East transport via subway/train to farther places like Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari and Osaka from Downtown Kawaramachi. This means you bypass the crowded buses in Kyoto as well as bypass Kyoto Station which can be confusing for first timers.
3. It is a practical place to stay with shops and restaurants open until 9pm. Not all places in Kyoto are lively. Restaurants in Gion/Higashiyma district close very early at around 6pm. So by staying at Downtown Kawaramachi, you're able to extend your day without having to go very far to food, entertainment and shopping at night.

You can see more details here:
asiatravelbug.com/blog/where-to-stay-in-kyoto-best-place

Karasuma used to have cheaper accommodations compared to Kawaramachi. However, hotels/hostels/capsule have rapidly increased in Downtown Kawamarachi in the past years. You should be able to find an accommodation fit to your budget in Downtown Kawaramachi as long as you book ahead of time especially if you're going during peak season.

 

[rrr2015]

inside the bus, there is electronic display in the front that shows the next bus stop. which bus stop to alight, guess you research yourself from insidekyoto.com

Where to take the bus and bus number all this i can research from insidekyoto.com, no issues. What i mean is how to know where and when to alight the bus for those temple attractions? Check from google map?

 

[flowerpalms]

Yes, Karasuma is in Downtown Kyoto. While it directly connected via subway to Kyoto Station, Karasuma is located in the eastern side of Downtown Kyoto which is not that lively. From Karasuma, it is also quite a far walk to go to Gion/Higashiyama district especially during cold season. I have personally stayed at Karasuma during my very first trip to Kyoto. However, after visiting Kyoto several times, I found that there are other places in Downtown Kyoto which are better than Karasuma.

Imagine Downtown Kyoto as a square box bordered by Karasuma to the east, Kawaramachi to the west, Sanjo to the north and Shijo to the south.

My recommended place to stay in Kyoto is Downtown Kawaramachi for these reasons:
1. Easy walking distance to Gion and Higashiyma district which is just a bridge away. This means no need to take the crowded buses in Kyoto to get to nearby tourist places.
2. East transport via subway/train to farther places like Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari and Osaka from Downtown Kawaramachi. This means you bypass the crowded buses in Kyoto as well as bypass Kyoto Station which can be confusing for first timers.
3. It is a practical place to stay with shops and restaurants open until 9pm. Not all places in Kyoto are lively. Restaurants in Gion/Higashiyma district close very early at around 6pm. So by staying at Downtown Kawaramachi, you're able to extend your day without having to go very far to food, entertainment and shopping at night.

You can see more details here:
asiatravelbug.com/blog/where-to-stay-in-kyoto-best-place

Karasuma used to have cheaper accommodations compared to Kawaramachi. However, hotels/hostels/capsule have rapidly increased in Downtown Kawamarachi in the past years. You should be able to find an accommodation fit to your budget in Downtown Kawaramachi as long as you book ahead of time especially if you're going during peak season.

Thank you for helpful tips.
Downtown kawaramachi is near which subway station for kyoto line?