Staying in Osaka and Koyasan

[Koru]

Konban wa mina-san!

As part of my upcoming trip to Japan my friend and I are hoping to spend a couple of nights in osaka and if possible spend a night in one of Koyasan's temples.

Can anyone could suggest a good ryokan in Osaka, preferably with good access to the Osaka night life? Speaking of which, I'd be very interested in reccomandations for places to go out in Osaka.....I've heard a lot about Tokyo (and will spending a week and a half exploring there) but not so much about Osaka.

Also if anyone knows how I might go about booking a night in one of Koyasan's temple's that would be cool. I checked on a few websites and it suggests we might be able to book when we get there but if we could reserve in advance that would be good.

I found one website for Daienin temple but I wasn't sure if sending an email in english would be ok as the website is all in kanji.......I guess I need to plough on with those flash cards some more

[Belton]

I stayed in a Japanese style hotel in Osaka, right by nipponbashi and the night life area. it was quite nice but not that special. No meals. But it's not really a problem in that area.
Booking through this hostels site the rooms are larger
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetail ... Osaka-5506
or through Rakuten you can get cheaper but smaller rooms.
http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/
The trains to Koyasan also go from this end of Osaka. As I did Koyasan as a side trip and came back to this hotel, they were happy to keep my baggage for 2 nights while I travelled lighter to Koyasan. They have some English speaking staff. (although since I got the introduction twice, they do work off a script.)

If you get bored with nightlife check out spaworld
http://www.spaworld.co.jp/index.html

This site is good for Koyasan shukubou.
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/m ... /index.htm

I stayed in Shojoshin-in out of season, there was only a couple of people there. Very nice although the Japanese custom of separate dining etc. made it a bit isolating as you don't meet other guests. Great vegetarian meals.
Do get up and attend morning prayers. I stayed 2 nights but if you get to koyasan early and drop your bags off, It is a very compact place and you can probably explore it in a day. Bring lots of mosquito repellent.

PS Koyasan was *very* quite after sunset in my experience.

[Koru]

Sugoi!

That's exactly what I was looking for I've got both Osaka and Koyasan sorted now.



Domo arigato gozaimasu Belton-san )

[Koru]

For anyone else travelling to Osaka I'd definately reccomend both the Yamatoya Honten and a trip to stay at Koyasan. Japanseguesthouses really came through for me and got me into the Regenjoin temple which was pure awesome. Very beautiful and very relaxing and the food was excellent to boot!