Japan

Thank you for your response . We are well aware it’s just ‘a taste of Japan’ as we plan this getaway . We will get a tour guide for sure and appreciate your suggestions on what to see. We have a list too! Could you suggest where to stay ?

We went to Tokyo earlier this year. It was our first time there and we used hotel points at a Marriott property. While I don't have a specific place to recommend (unless you have Marriott points) I do have a point of view on what location to stay. The metro system in Tokyo is manageable but very complex, similar to Paris. We found it to be very well marked and never got lost but where you hotel is located will be very important in Tokyo. So while I don't have any specific places to recommend, I would highly encourage you to make sure you are close to one or more metro lines. Hope that helps. Enjoy your trip.

We had a good experience at the Dai-Ichi Hotel in Tokyo which is a Japanese hotel, not an American chain. We enjoyed the differences. There was always someone at the front concierge desk who could speak some English. We could easily walk to Ginza and other parts of Tokyo.
In Kyoto we also stayed at a Japanese hotel, Brighton Hotel, and didn’t see any other non- Japanese guests. We really enjoyed our stay at the Brighton Hotel.

The hotel we stayed in back in 2015 is no longer in business (I think it's apartments now) but the Hamamatsucho neighborhood is a very convenient area: near the Yamanote commuter train line and the subway, two charming gardens, Tokyo Tower, Zōzo-ji temple and more.

We have limited experience in Tokyo and I would not even try to advise anyone on that city, But Kyoto is a place we know fairly well, and feel very comfortable in. You will be there at the best time, the height of the beautiful koyo or fall color season. Be sure to visit the lovely botanical garden as well as the gardens of the Imperial Palace, as well as the famous temples and shrines.

Our first time in Kyoto, in 2019, we stayed in a small boutique hotel that was part of the Ethnography group, but it seems to have disappeared, or is very hard to find, so I cannot post a link.

Last November we stayed at another small boutique hotel, Hotel Genji, and I hope we can return someday. This is a “design” hotel right on the river, and in a great location for walking. It is nothing at all like a “business” hotel, but rather a combination of the best of both worlds—-traditional Japanese design with some Western features. It has what we like—-Western beds (rather than a futon on the floor) and Japanese design features, including the Japanese style bathroom—-beautiful shower and soaking tub, separate toilet compartment. Our room was large, bright, and we had a nice view of the river.

https://genjikyoto.com/

Kyoto is laid out in a grid and one can easily orient to the river for finding one’s way. We pretty much walk everywhere, but the metro system is easy to understand and use.

Thank you for taking the time to respond . Hotel Genji looks so beautiful but unfortunately there is no availability at the time that we will be there.

I am not surprised; November is a very popular time, filled with events and festivals.

After our stay at Genji, we traveled to Osaka to meet our tour (guided hiking on the Kumano Kodo). That tour ended back in Kyoto, with 2 nights at Hotel Noku near the Imperial Palace, which was very nice. We tried to add an extra night there but they were full. This was November 22-23 last year. We booked at nearby Rakuro Kyoto, and it was fine as well (and less expensive).

Both hotels had Japanese-inspired design, but with Western beds. Staff spoke good English at both. If the location near the Imperial Palace appeals to you (we liked it, although it is not as close to the river as we would prefer), you might try these. It appears from a quick check on booking.com that Rokuro has rooms available around the time of your visit. Noku is more limited.

If you would like to be close to the river, maybe with a view, try hotel Solaria. It was on my list until I found Hotel Genji.

Recommend the HOTEL METROPOLITAN TOKYO MARUNOUCHI at Tokyo Station.

Also, recommend visiting Nikko north of Tokyo for a day trip as well as the giant budda south of Tokyo (I think it is called Kammakura).

We have stayed at the Kyoto Westin Miyako twice. It is very convenient to the subway, restaurants and historic sights. Safe travels.

I suggest you book your hotels for Kyoto ASAP. Nov is foliage season and Kyoto is the most popular city for foliage watching in the entire Asia. I stayed at Tokyu Stay Kyoto Sanjo Karasuma, which is in downtown, but not in the very thick of things. This is an apartment style hotel with an in-room washer/dryer and mini kitchenette. Super clean and quiet. Tokyu Stay offers another location, which is more convenient for sightseeing but also more $$. The Tokyu Stay chain is a good one because most, if not all, their rooms come with the washer/dryer. It's decor is very close to that of a Marriott Courtyard -- functional but not that luxurious.

Just remembered the name of our Tokyo lodging…Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku. It was recommended to us by a poster on this forum. It is an easy walk to the JR Shinjuku Station and offers easy access to stores, restaurants etc. The staff was particularly helpful and friendly. The hotel breakfast was too $$$ for us and the McDonalds and the ubiquitous, convenient 7-Eleven were a godsend for our simple tastes and needs. We arranged transport to the airport upon departure with the front desk; a bus calls directly at the door. This isn’t a fancy place, 3 stars I believe, but convenient and comfortable. We would return. Japan is extraordinary and the people are welcoming. A fascinating destination. I could get hooked.
Safe travels.