Looking to stay in Kyoto during cherry blossom week, but everyone else on the planet got there first? This hotel might just be your ticket. If you've never stayed at a Toyoko Inn before, let me start out by saying that there's nothing particularly great about the chain, but they tend to be newish, the rooms are generally clean, and there is a free, though somewhat limited, breakfast, and there are even washing machines. They are also generally small with no frills, and they will never, ever, let you check in even 30 seconds before the check-in time, which here is 4 p.m. Checkout is also an earlyish 10 a.m.||||Otsu is a mere 9 minutes and 200 yen ticket from Kyoto station, and you can also get here via the subway line that goes down Sanjo. If you are coming via JR, it's about a 10 minute walk from Otsu station, if by subway, about 7 minutes from Hamaotsu. Otsu is not what you would call a happening town for nightlife or even restaurants. If you are in the mood for an expensive Omi beef steak, you might manage ok, and you can find a ramen shop or an izakaya here and there, but it's a fairly grim selection. I ended up at a ramen shop that was apparently considered one of the best in town, and it was nothing to write home about. You can survive here for a night or maybe two, but I wouldn't recommend a longer stay unless you are planning to eat in Kyoto.||||On the positive side, nearby Miidera is a great temple to visit.