So Mel and I got lost... took the wrong bus... ended up on the *opposite* end of town than the crappy hostel we were supposed to be staying in. HOWEVER... we ended being dropped off right infront of what Lonely Planet calls "the best place to stay in Kyoto." The Uteno Youth Hostel was wicked. We had a great room, and the staff was very kind... and they had a beer vending machine, noodles, and ice cream. They also had an all you can eat breakfast that you could enjoy in the cafeteria overlooking the gardens in the back... It was wonderful! We are going to stay there again. --- Unfortunately our second night was in a HOLE on the other side of town... Mel and I had to chase this rude old man down the street as he rode his bike to bring us to our room. You'd think we'd be in the same building as the frontdesk... nope! We were blocks and blocks away in a rundown building. We slept in a sketchy little room on thin futons. There were things growing in the fridge... and there was no heat!!!