I arrived in Tokyo not knowing where to stay. In my lonely planet guidebook they suggested I go to the travel and tourism board just 9 stories above Kyoto station 京都駅 by elevator (at the entrance to Isetan 伊勢丹 department store. The very nice and patient folks at the offices helped me set up accomodations at J-Hoppers just a few blocks south of the station itself. J-Hoppers has an excellent crew as well and the place offers bike rentals ($5US/day at the time--6/2006), which I took advantage of with two guys I met from Spain. All three of us went around Kyoto stoping every now and again for some watermelon or a photo op. We ventured north and passed some temples and the main castle complex (gravel at every turn). We couldn't enter because the reservations desk was closed for lunch, so we decided to continue towards Gion city 祇園町. We even got to see and take a pic of two maiko 舞妓 walking along the old part of Kyoto. Along the route, a candy shop offered some sweet piggy indulgence.