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
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:

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 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:

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

Comments

  1. Maria Sansom says:

    Hi Takeshi san,
    I am travelling to Japan with my husband and 2 children aged 12 and 14 to Tokyo in March/April 2017. We will be in Tokyo for 6 days (2 of which will be at Tokyo Disneyland) and we are staying at Tokyo Bay. Rest of the time in Tokyo will be sightseeing. Then we are planning to travel to Kyoto via Shinkansen for 6 days. I am in doubt as to whether a Japan Rail Pass is cost effective for us. The 14 day pass is expensive. I would love to have your thoughts on whether we should buy a JR pass or use local passes like the Suica card. It is Cherry blossom season so I know it will be very busy. Arigatoo Gozaimasu.

  2. Esther says:

    Dear Takeshi-san

    I will be in Tokyo for 6 days and 7 days in Osaka/Kyoto,
    I have two full days for Tokyo city attractions and two 1-day trip each to Hakone and Nikko.
    On the 6th day, I will leave by air from Tokyo to Osaka(Itami Airport) and arrive in Osaka in the afternoon.
    I will spend the next day- one full day in Osaka for sightseeing. On the 3rd day, I will leave Osaka for Kyoto in the afternoon.
    In Kyoto I will have 5 full days. I intend to spend two full days to visit Kyoto attractions and three 1-day trip to Nara, Himeji and Koyasan,

    Please advise Tickets and Passes I need to prepare for Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto itinerary.
    Also, should I get a prepaid IC card for Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto?

    Best Regards
    Esther

  3. garima says:

    Hi, I am in Japan for 6 days. Planning to visit mt Fuji and kyoto from Tokyo. Will JR pass make sense for me? Please do let me know at the earliest. Thanks a lot in advance

  4. Andrew says:

    Hi Takeshi-san
    I intend to visit Kyoto in November. I have 5 full days in Kyoto,
    I intend to spend 2 days in Kyoto visiting all the attractions etc.
    The other 3 days want to go to Nara 1-day round trip.
    1-day round trip to Koyasan
    1-day round trip to Himeji.
    Please advise what JR pass do I need. Please advise if I do not need JR pass , what other economical passes available.
    Do I need to book in advance for the day trips out of Kyoto or I can get the passes at time of travel?
    Thanks.

  5. Manisah says:

    Hi Takeshi-san

    Really need your advice regarding transportation.

    Planning to stay in Tokyo for 4 day (including a day trip to Yokohama), take the train to Kyoto ( 4 days) and proceed using train to Osaka (4 days) before flying out from Osaka.

    Please advice is it is possible to purchase the 7day JP Rail Pass. Thank you.

  6. ismail says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    I’m travelling with my wife and planning to buy JR rail pass for 7days since it seems to be a good choice.
    Summary of our plan as follows:
    1) Arrive Osaka Kansai airport. Stay in hotel in Namba (3 nights)
    2) 1 same day trip from Osaka to Hiroshima-Miyajima
    3) Travel to Kyoto and 3 nights stay in Kyoto. Taking bus tours for temple visits.
    4) Kyoto to Tokyo. And 1 day trip from Tokyo to Hakone.
    5) And return to Turkey from Tokyo Narita.
    I think we may be using shinkansen and save some. Could you recommend please for saving routes via JR pass?
    Thanks in advance and kind regards.

  7. starglitz says:

    Hi, Takeshi

    I want to ask about Kyoto Sightseeing One and Two-day Pass Card. Can use this card in JR Nara Line ?
    We plan to visit Fushimi Inari from Kyoto station.

    Thanks a million ! ^^

  8. ina says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    I’m travelling with my family (2 kids) and thinking of getting JR rail pass for 7days since it seems to be a good choice with time and convenience.
    So far our itinerary is
    1) arrive Osaka kix, go to Takayama
    2) 2 nights Takayama (shirakawago/gero daytrips maybe)
    3) to Kyoto (2nights) thinking of using walking and taxis in case of bad weather etc.
    4) to shizuoka (daytrip) from Kyoto, then sleep in Osaka
    5) return Osaka airport

    I think most will be using shinkansen so how do you think?
    Thanks for your help!

    Ina

    • Hi Ina,

      JR Pass is a good choice and it gives you a big saving.
      JR Pass covers most part of your trip. You may need to add bus fare to Shirakawago, local transportation (taxi, bus and subway) in the cities, like Kyoto and Osaka.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Fredy says:

    Hi Takeya,

    I visiting three cities 12-19 August 2016. Start from Tokyo to Kyoto and finish on Osaka. My first plan is i’ll use Tokyo metro pass (2 days pass) + late night willer express ( from Tokyo to Kyoto, but the price quite expensive in high season ) + Kansai Thru Pass. I saw on the JR Line map for osaka kyoto there some areas aren’t covered by the JR pass. I already checked the schedule for peach and Jetstar airline, but it’s not effiecient for our trip. So i make 2 last options are :
    1. Tokyo metro pass + Hikari shinkansen (tokyo – kyoto one way) + Kansai thru pass.
    2. JR Pass 7 days

    according to the options, which one is better for save trip cost?

    Regards

    • Hi Fredy,

      JR pass does not work. You need to have round trip between Tokyo and Osaka. Option 1 is better choice.
      Actually you travel in the busiest period in the year. That is reason why the fare is so expensive. I don’t know how much Willer is. But one way base fare + Shinkansen seat fee is around 14,000 yen.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi (not Takeya :)) / JPRail.com

  10. Joe Pan says:

    Hi Takeshi-San,
    My wife and I have ordered the 21 day pass and I understand that it also covers the JR bus, but there isn’t much information about it, and I sometimes confuse with the local bus.
    Could you please tell me that is JR bus existed ln Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, Takayama, Kanzawa and Kurashiki? If so, is it along the major spots? where I can find the route ?
    With the JR pass I try to make the most of it and spend less on xtra transpotaion fee.
    Thanks a lot

    • Hi Joe san,

      Actually in these days, most of JR bus companies do not accept JR pass. There is only one route in Kyoto. I mentioned the line to Takao in the post above. That’s it in your trip plan. There are some lines in Kanazawa. But JR bus contacted to me that bus in Kanazawa is not covered. There is no bus services available by JR pass in other cities as far as I know.

      That is why you may need to add local deals to take city bus or/and subway in Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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