Is it cheaper to stay in Kyoto or Tokyo?

Tokyo is about 30% more expensive than Kyoto for travelers. If you prefer big cities, modern technology, nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, Tokyo is for you. If you're after temples, shrines, garden, geisha and hiking, Kyoto is for you. If you've got 4 or more days in Japan, you should see both.



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A crucial question you must ask yourself is how much time to allot to each city. For most people, the ideal breakdown is 2 full days in Tokyo and 4 full days in Kyoto (travel days are not considered full days). If you are more interested in modern Japan, then you could spend 3 days in Tokyo and 3 in Kyoto.

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Kyoto has a reputation as an expensive city to visit, but the city is much more affordable than you might realize. In addition to high-end kaiseki restaurants and luxury ryokan hotels, Kyoto has plenty of options for accommodations, dining and exploring that won't break the bank.

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By spending 4-5 days in Kyoto, you can uncover the city's hidden treasures and fully immerse yourself in its vibrant culture.

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Highway buses are one of the most economical ways to travel medium to long distances in Japan. While slower than trains, buses cost usually less than half, especially on the competitive Tokyo routes where discount fares can be incredibly low.

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The best times to visit Kyoto are October/November (fall) and March/April/May (spring). You can visit Kyoto at any time of year because the weather is temperate. Summer (June/July/August) in Kyoto is hot and humid. Winter (December/January/Febuary) in Kyoto is cold.

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How to Get from Tokyo to Kyoto. Kyoto is 283 miles (445 km) from Tokyo, but you can get from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over two hours if you travel on a high-speed shinkansen (bullet train). By air, the journey will take about three hours, including ground transportation.

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The best area to stay in Kyoto for tourists is Downtown Kawaramachi. Other recommended best places to stay in Kyoto are Gion, Kyoto Station and Central Kyoto. Downtown Kawaramachi offers plenty of shops and restaurants, and is in walking distance to historical Gion, making it the best place to stay in Kyoto.

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Some places only accept cash Don't rely on credit cards when visiting local attractions or small shops in Kyoto. Of course, in hotels and shopping malls you will be able to use your credit card to pay for goods and services, but this is less certain at local places. In many instances, you will need to pay cash.

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Kyoto is more relaxing. Tokyo is about 30% more expensive than Kyoto for travelers. If you prefer big cities, modern technology, nightlife and a huge selection of restaurants, Tokyo is for you. If you're after temples, shrines, garden, geisha and hiking, Kyoto is for you.

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Kyoto. Kyoto, considered by many as Japan's most beautiful city, was the Japanese capital until the government was moved to Tokyo in 1868.

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Japan has a reputation as an expensive place to travel to, but it's an image that doesn't hold up on the ground. With a little strategy, a visit can be very reasonable – budget-friendly, even. Many of the country's major sights, for example, cost nothing, and free festivals take place year-round.

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When traveling in Japan, especially if you're in one of the big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, you'll generally have no problem not speaking Japanese at all. There are usually English signs all over train stations and airports.

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The subways and trains are the most convenient way to get around the city. Buses are less convenient, but cover almost the whole city. Taxis are plentiful and reasonably cheap. They're sometimes cheaper than buses for groups of three or four on short trips.

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Safety at night:Very safe Kyoto is regarded as a very safe city to walk alone at night. The streets are well-lit and the crime rate in Kyoto is low compared to many other international cities. Locals are usually helpful and respectful.

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The shinkansen (bullet train) is the best way to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto. It takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs Y13,080 between Tokyo and Kyoto(non-reserved seat). You don't need to reserve seats on the shinkansen if you travel outside of peak travel hours and outside of peak travel seasons.

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