How to use JR Pass in downtown Kyoto. Find how much you can use Japan Rail Pass in Kyoto.

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
There are a big number of Torii at Fushimi Inari shrine. ©Kyoto Convention Bureau /©JNTO
2011.02.24
Kyoto Imperial Palace ©Akira Okada/©JNTO
Kyoto Imperial Palace ©Akira Okada/©JNTO

Kyoto is most popular destination in Japan. You may visit Kyoto by JR Pass and other JR West Rail Passes. You may be wondering how much you can use your pass to explore Kyoto?

In this post, I explain you about the coverage of JR Pass and other rail passes in Kyoto.

Explaination by movie

You may watch same content as this post in the movie below as well.

Overview

First of all, please see the map below. I put train routes, a bus route and the name of the tourist spots in the map.

Click to view large.

These are covered by JR Pass. And also these following other regional JR deal have same coverage:

Kansai Area Pass does not cover West Japan JR Bus line but it covers Kyoto subway and some part of Keihan railway. Please find more information in the post below:

How to use JR West Kansai Area Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
This posts explains you how to use Kansai Area Pass. It is one of JR West rail passes and it covers whole part of Kansai area.
jprail.com
2012.10.19

Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass can take you to Kyoto. But it does not cover any modes of transportation after arrival in Kyoto.

How to get Kyoto by JR Pass and JR regional passes

There are many ways to get Kyoto.

The Tokaido Shinkansen

You can get Kyoto by the Shinkansen from Tokyo, Yokohama, Odawara (near Hakone), Nagoya, Shin-Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, Hakata and many more stations. Please find more information of the Shinkansen in the link below:

The Tokaido, the Sanyo and the Kyushu Shinkansen (Bullet Train) train ride guide. Most popular train between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata and Kagoshima.
This Shinkansen ride guide gives you all information about the Shinkansen between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata, Kumamoto and Kagoshima in this post.
jprail.com
2014.05.27

The limited express Haruka

If you arrive in Kansai airport and move to Kyoto right after, you may take Haruka. It takes you to Kyoto directly.

Limited Express Haruka from KIX is covered.

You may use this train for Tennoji to Kyoto or Shin-Osaka to Kyoto instead of taking a local train.

Special Rapid train

Special Rapid Service operated by JR West 223 series.
Special Rapid Service is the fastest commute train between Himeji, Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto

Special Rapid train runs every 15 minutes day time. It offers very frequent and very fast service. It takes just 30 minutes from Osaka to Kyoto. The trip time is same as other limited express train. The Shinkansen is fast but you have to change trains at Shin-Osaka. If you travel from Osaka (Umeda) to Kyoto. This train is the best choice.

From Kanazawa, Amanohashidate, Kinosaki, Nara

Kyoto is connected with these cities as well. You can get Kyoto from Kanazawa by the limited express Thunderbird. From Amanohashidate, you can take the limited express Hashidate. The limited express Kinosaki connects Kyoto and Kinosaki Onsen. And Nara and Kyoto are connected by JR Nara line. You can get Kyoto from Nara by a local train or a rapid train.

The coverage of JR Pass and JR regional passes

There are tree routes are covered.

JR Sagano line

Sagano line is shown in a pink line. You can get these following places by this line:

  • Kyoto Railway Museum (from Umekoji -Kyotonishi station)
  • Kyoto Aquarium (from Umekoji-Kyotonishi station)
  • Nijo castle (from Nijo station)
  • Toei Uzumasa Eigamura (from Uzumasa station)
  • Arashiyama (from Saga-Arashiyama station)
  • Sagano Scenic Railway, a.k.a. Torokko train (from Saga-Arashiyama station)

A local train and a rapid train runs every 15 minutes in daytime.

Sagano Scenic Railway departs from JR Saga-Arashiyama station but this train is not covered by JR Pass and JR regional deals.

Nara line

This line is shown in a brown line. This line connects Kyoto and Nara. These following places can be accessed by Nara line:

  • Tofuku-ji temple (from Tofukuji station)
  • Fushimi Inari shrine (from Inari station)
  • Uji (from Uji station)

I did not put any stations on the map between Uji and Inari. But there are many stations. It take 5 to 10 minutes to get Tofukuji and Inari from Kyoto. But it takes 30 minutes from Kyoto station to Uji. Uji is located in the middle of Kyoto and Nara.

A local train and a rapid train runs every 10 to 15 minutes in daytime.

West Japan JR bus

There are huge number of bus routes in Kyoto. You can get almost anywhere in Kyoto by a bus. Most bus routes are operated by Kyoto city bus which is not covered by JR Pass and JR regional deals. But there is only one route which is operated by West Japan JR Bus. This is covered by JR Pass and JR regional deals.

This route connects Kyoto station and Takao. There are some tourist spots on the route of this bus service:

  • Kitano Tenmangu shrine (from Kitano bus stop)
  • Kinkaku-ji temple, a.k.a. Golden Pavillion (from Wara Tenjin bus stop)
  • Ryoan-ji temple (from Ryoanji bus stop)

This bus runs every 15 minutes between 8:00 and 18:00.

Around Kyoto station

JR Kyoto station is the biggest shopping area in Kyoto. There are some shopping buildings around the station. And Kyoto tower is located in front of the station.

The places which are not covered

JR Pass Kyoto uncovered places

Eastern and northern Kyoto are not covered by JR Pass and JR regional deals. These following popular places cannot be accessed by JR Pass and JR regional deals:

  • Kiyomizu-dera temple
  • Yasaka shrine
  • Gion
  • Nishiki Market
  • Imperial Palace
  • Ginkaku-ji temple
  • Kurama
  • Kifune shrine
  • Hieizan

You have to take Keihan Railway, Hankyu Railway, Kyoto city subway, Kyoto city bus and/or Eizan Railway to get these places. Please refer the post below to find all trains information:

Kyoto train route guide. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Kyoto. This post shows you the train network in Kyoto. You can learn how to get the major places in Kyoto.
jprail.com
2013.09.22

I hope you have foud how to maximize using JR Pass in Kyoto. Enjoy your trip to Kyoto.

Comments

  1. Clarissa says:
    June 28, 2016 at 5:50 am

    Hi team JR
    I am heading to Japan in November/December 2016
    My Itinerary:
    26/11 Fly in at 8:45am Tokyo Narita, and head to Osaka.
    27/11 Osaka – Himeji
    28/11 Osaka – Nara
    29/11 Osaka – Universal Studios
    30/11 Osaka – Aquarium
    1/ Osaka to Kyoto
    2/ Kyoto
    3/ Kyoto to Tokyo
    4/ Tokyo
    5/ Tokyo
    6/ Tokyo Disney
    7/ Tokyo Disney
    8/ Fly out of Tokyo 12:15 pm

    Is it worth to buy a 14 days JR Pass?
    Or fly/individual train between tokyo/osaka, Kansai Thru Pass, Kyoto Pass, and some Tokyo transport train?
    Thank you in advance.

  2. Jason says:
    June 17, 2016 at 11:06 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be traveling with my husband for the first time to Japan this july and below is our trip plan:

    Day 1 land at Narita at night and stay at Shinjuku
    Day 2 local sight seeing in Tokyo
    Day3 local sight seeing in Tokyo
    Day 4 local sight seeing in Tokyo
    Day 5 local sight seeing in Tokyo
    Day6 take bullet train to Osaka
    Day 7 day trip to Kyoto
    Day 8 local sight seeing in Osaka
    Day 9 local sight seeing in Osaka
    Day 10 travel from Osaka to Narita

    I ws wondering if it makes sense to purchase a 7 day jr pass for our trip. If not what’s the best way of getting around since we will do a lot of local sightseeing in Tokyo.

    Thanks,
    Jason
    7/19 N

  3. Veronica Lim says:
    April 13, 2016 at 9:07 am

    We are a group of 4 travelling fm Tokyo to Kyoto and hv purchased a 7 days JR pass. We will take the Shinkansen fm Tokyo to Kyoto and spend a few days in Kyoto before travelling to Osaka to catch a flight to Sapporo and do a day trip to Otaru by train. Can I use the JR pass at all these locations. Also I was told that taxis in Kyoto are quite reasonable and since we are 4 pax would it be better for us to take a taxi to visit the sights in Kyoto instead of bus & train ?
    Thank you.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      April 13, 2016 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Veronica,

      All trains among cities are covered by JR pass. Subway and bus in all city, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo are not covered by JR pass.

      Taxi is a good idea. Bus is always busy and behind the schedule. Subway is okay but Taxi is much better idea than bus.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Vivian says:
    April 4, 2016 at 10:43 pm

    Hey, Takeshi!

    So, I will be going to Japan in about a month, and looking at the JR pass price…. WOAH!

    So, I’m hoping that you can help me with this. Is it cheaper to just pay each fare individually or get a JR pass.

    Here is my itinerary:
    I will get to Narita airport on May 2, and I will be staying at Asakusa/Ueno neighborhood in Tokyo. We will be staying in Tokyo from the 2nd to the 10th with maybe 2 day trips to Yokohama, then we will be going to this ryokan: http://www.takaragawa.com/english.html. Staying only for the night of the 10th. On the 11th we’re going to Osaka, and staying in Hirano-ku neighborhood. We’re staying in Osaka until the 16th, but with day trips to Nara and Kobe (1 day each). So like, we’re staying in Osaka, but we’re going to Nara then go back to Osaka. Then on another day we’re going to Kobe, then going back to Osaka. On the 16th, we’re going to Kyoto, where we’ll be staying for a month, so we won’t be getting the JR pass for this time. So the plan is to get a JR pass for 2 weeks from May 2-16.

    Also, if you recommend the JR pass, then if I activate the pass on May 2nd, will I still be able to use it on the 16th, or is the 15th the last day I can use it.
    Price wise, the JR pass that I plan to buy is $527 Canadian (about 44576 yen, the conversion according to google) for 14 days.

    Again, which is cheaper: individual prices, or JR pass?
    I hope that you can help me!

  5. Cory says:
    March 2, 2016 at 4:05 am

    Hello Takeshi!

    I am planning to visit japan in October for 4 days and 3 nights. Is 1 full day each for tokyo and kyoto enough time to atleast see the main attractions? If so, would you recommend that I get JR rail pass to get around both places? Does JR rail pass includes ride to the bullet train from tokyo to kyoto and vice versa?

  6. Maggie lam says:
    February 27, 2016 at 11:50 pm

    Hi, Takeshi
    I forgot to ask in the previous comment. Does it worth for 4 of us to buy a 7 days pass for my intinerary .
    Arrive in KIX airport, then purchase discount ticket for huruka express train to Kyoto( not activate the pass until two days later)
    Day 1 local sight seeing
    Day 2 local sight seeing
    Day3 day trip to Hiroshima
    Day 4 to Nara
    Day 5 day trip to Osaka
    Day6 to Tokyo
    Day 7 shinjuku
    Day 8 local sight seeing
    Day 9 local sight seeing
    Day10 leaving to airport
    Should I buy the 7 day pass since I am going to use it for Hiroshima and Tokyo or just buy a single train tickets? Please give me advice. With much appreciation !!

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      February 28, 2016 at 2:04 am

      Hi Maggie,

      You are right. 7 days JR pass will work for your trip. You can start using it on day 3. But if you depart from Narita, switch Nara and Hiroshima. You may go to Hiroshima and start using JR Pass on day 4. You have to pay single fare for trip to Nara but you can use JR pass on the last day to Narita. You can take Narita Express from Tokyo to Narita. Trip to Narita by Narita Express is much bigger value than trip to Nara by local train.

      If you leave from Haneda, forget about this. Single ticket is okay to get Haneda because it’s much closer to Tokyo than Narita.

      You can use ICOCA and Haruka anyway. This is the best deal to get Kyoto from KIX.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Maggie says:
        February 29, 2016 at 9:44 pm

        Hi Takeshi,
        Thank you so much for your info. Yes, I am leaving from shin juku (Hilton) to Haneda airport on the day 11. I will take the limousine bus from the Hilton hotel to the airport.
        Does the Icoca card cover Kyoto bus, Kyoto city bus ( not before), Keihan railway?
        Does JR pass cover ONLY Jr railway No Keihan or other Railway . Right ? You are so helpful. Your help will make my trip more smooth and enjoyable. Thank you so much!
        Maggie,

  7. Maggie lam says:
    February 27, 2016 at 11:37 pm

    Hi Takeshi
    My family of 4 planning a trip to Japan for 10 days on July 21th to 30th. I am planning to buy a 7 days Jr ordinary pass. I will stay at Kyoto for 4 full days, 1 day in Hiroshima, and four days in Tokyo. I wil arrive at KIX airport and take the Haruka express train to Kyoto station.
    A, should I activate my JR pass after I land at Kaisan airport and use the JR pass for the first 7 days?
    B, Or should I just purchase the Huruka express train discount ticket with Icoca card to use for the first two days in Kyoto, and activate the JR pass the last three days in Kyoto and 4 days in Tokyo.?
    I am planning to go with the plan B. Can you give me some advice? Thank you so much For your help

  8. Ng Hooi Khim says:
    December 13, 2015 at 3:08 am

    Mr Takeshi
    My family of 4 will be going to Japan in Feb 2016 for 10 days.
    Below is our itenary, pls advise if these are OK?
    15 Feb 2016 – touch down at Narita Airport at 6am. Take bullet train to Osaka. Spend time at Shinsaibashi n Dotonbori.
    16 Feb – go to Kuroshio-ichiba market at Wakayama in the morning. Go to Nissin Ramen Museum n Osaka Castle in the afternoon n spend another night in Osaka.
    17 / 18 Feb – Kyoto, which will cover most of the temples n Arashiyama. Sagano Sightseeing Tram not available in Winter?
    19 Feb – Kanazawa / Shirakawa- go
    20 Feb – Tokyo
    21 Feb – One day trip to Mt Fuji
    22/23 Feb – Tokyo
    24 Feb – Morning flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

    I will purchase 7 days JR pass as I noted most of the place are covered by JR pass. Just wondering should I spend 2 nights at Kanazawa?
    If I do so, i hv to pay extra when travel to Mt Fuji. Is there a transport to go Mt Fuji directly from Kanazawa? Is it advisable to visit Mt Fuji in winter around Lake Kawaguchiko?

    Will the sky turn dark early during Winter?
    Your kind advice please the best option to fully utilised the JR pass and hopefully the plan is not too rush. Thks.
    Regards
    Khim

  9. indian traveller says:
    November 28, 2015 at 7:34 am

    Hi Takeshi san
    Please help me
    I will be coming on 21 day trip to japan in December 2015
    I am going to arrive in Tokyo & spend 5 days in Tokyo, then 5 days in Kyoto,5 days in Osaka ,5 days in Hiroshima and then i will be coming back to Tokyo from Hiroshima for my flight back home . Do u think 21 day jr pass is worth the money (60000 yen) or should i get individual train ticket/overnight bus to my destinations. I will travel to most tourist locations inside the above cities as well

    Thanks for you help

  10. Cla says:
    November 15, 2015 at 2:04 am

    Hello!

    I will be visiting Kyoto by end-November. I just wanted to confirm, is the JR line covered by the Kyoto Sightseeing Pass (bus & subway)? Also, aside from the Kyoto Station, is there anywhere else I can get the Kyoto Sightseeing Pass?

    Thank you!

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