Kyoto train route guide. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?

kyoto stationKansai Area
Click to enlarge. (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge. (C) JP Rail

Train system in Kyoto may be complicated for you. There are three types of railway, JR, Kyoto City Subway and Private company’s railways. Actually it’s a key to travel in Kyoto smoothly and avoid wasting your valuable time. Of course city of Kyoto has city wide bus service. But during peak season, bus service runs behind the schedule sometimes due to traffic congestion.

And also, there are many types of deals, such as ICOCA, Kansai Thru Pass, JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kyoto city pass. Each pass has different conditions. You have to understand which train system is covered by your pass.

In this post, I tell you about using these deals and explain all train systems in Kyoto.

Which train services that are covered by ICOCA, Kansai Thru Pass and other JR deals

Many deals are available in Kansai area. But each pass have different coverage. I tell you about major passes and deals.

For the travellers who use ICOCA, Kansai one pass, Suica, Pasmo or other IC cards

You can take all trains on the map above except Shinkansen and Sagano Scenic Railway. When you travel in Kansai area, don’t try to take Shinkansen for such a short transfer. Please see the post below to find more information:

Regarding Sagano Scenic Railway, it is not a public transportation but an attraction. This is the reason why it is not covered by any rail pass.

By the way, ICOCA does not cover Kyoto city bus service either. In sometimes 2014, Kyoto city bus will accept ICOCA.

For the travellers who use Kansai Thru Pass

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge. (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge. (C) JP Rail

You can go anywhere in city of Kyoto. Most of places can be accessed by train. And this pass covers Kyoto City Bus too. Bus services cover all part of city of Kyoto. If you access from Osaka (Umeda) to Kyoto station, you cannot get a direct transfer by this pass. This is only things that you may care.

JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai WIDE Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge. (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge. (C) JP Rail

I wrote another post which focus on JR Pass and JR regional deals in the link below. You may find how much you can use JR Pass and JR regional deals in Kyoto. You can learn how to maximize using these passes:

Kyoto Sightseeing One and Two-day Pass Card and Kyoto subway pass

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge. (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge. (C) JP Rail

These deals cover Kyoto city subway lines. Kyoto city bus and Kyoto Bus (private bus company) are also covered by Kyoto Sightseeing one day and two day cards. If you will take bus, you can go almost anywhere in city of Kyoto. Only place where is not covered by this pass is Uji.

How to access to major spots in Kyoto by train

As I mentioned above, sometimes bus services are affected by heavy traffic. And there are too many lines of bus in city of Kyoto. You may be confused by too many choices. Therefore I recommend you to use train service as much as you can.

If you need more info about bus, you may be able to find it at Japan-Guide.com

Gion

If you see Maiko in Gion, you are very lucky.  © Y.Shimizu/© JNTO
If you see Maiko in Gion, you are very lucky. © Y.Shimizu/© JNTO

You can get there by both Hankyu Railway and Keihan Railway. Hankyu’s Kawaramachi station is located 5 minutes away from Keihan’s Gion-Shijo staiton. There is Kamo river between these two stations. One of most popular market, Nishiki market is located bear Kawaramachi station. This area is one of the busiest area in Kyoto.

If you access from Osaka, take Hankyu if you stay in Umeda (JR Osaka station) and take Keihan if you stay in Namba or Shinsaibashi area. Yodoyabashi is connected by Osaka subway Midousuji line.

Kiyomizudera

It is Must-See spot in Kyoto. ©Sue Ann Simon/©JNTO
It is Must-See spot in Kyoto. ©Sue Ann Simon/©JNTO

Actually it’s a bit away from the station. But you can get there from Keihan’s Kiyomizu-Gojo station. The distance is 1.7 km and takes about 20 minutes.

Arashiyama

Togetsukyo is the icon of Arashiyama. ©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO
Togetsukyo is the icon of Arashiyama. ©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO

There are three stations, Hankyu, Randen and JR. Randen’s Arashiyama station is located in the heart of Arashiyama. But you will be okay with other two stations. JR’s Saga-Arashiyama station is about 15 minutes away from Randen’s Arashiyama station. Hankyu’s Arashiyama station is located at other side of Katsura river. Togetsu bridge connects these two stations.

If you get Arashiyama from Umeda, obviously Hankyu Railway is the best choice. But there is no direct train service from Umeda to Arashiyama. You have to transfer at Katsura.

If you get Arashiyama from Kyoto station or using JR deals, JR Sagano line is the best choice.

If you get Arashiyama from Gion and Kawaramachi area, I recommend you to take Hankyu to Omiya and transfer to Randen. Randen is not very well known. This rail service is like street car and it runs on the street at some part of this line. This 20 minutes ride will be nice experience in your Kyoto visit. Hankyu’s Omiya station is located underground and Randen’s Shijo-Omiya station is on the ground. But it’s just cross the road and only 3 minutes away.

If you stay in Sanjo area and get Arashiyama, take subway to Uzumasa-Tenjingawa station and transfer to Randen. Randen-Tenjingawa station is located on the ground and subway’s station is underground. But it’s same place.

Kinkakji (Golden Pavilion)

I recommend you to drop by Ryoanji temple before visit Kinkakuji.  	©JNTO
I recommend you to drop by Ryoanji temple before visit Kinkakuji. ©JNTO

It can be accessed from randen’s Kitano-Hakubaicho station on foot. It takes about 20 nminutes. Of course you can catch the bus at Kitano-Hakubaicho station. It is three bus stops away from Kinkakuji and takes about 5 minutes.

If you access there from Arashiyama, Randen is a good choice. But if you get there from Gion, Kyoto station and other places, Randen is considerable. You have to change the train at Katabiranotsuji. It takes about 30 minutes from both Shijo-Omiya and Arashiyama. But Kinakakuji can be accessed by direct bus from many places in Kyoto. Even though I consider traffic, bus service may be faster than Randen. And also Kinkakuji can be accessed from subway’s Kitaoji staion by bus. If you get there from Kyoto station and Gion, this route is the fastest.

Nijo castle

Nijo castle is located in the heart of Kyoto. It is very easy to access there.  ©JNTO
Nijo castle is located in the heart of Kyoto. It is very easy to access there. ©JNTO

The nearest station is subway’s Nijojo staton. But you can access there from JR Nijo station too. So you can choose the trains by you pass/deal.

Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari Shrine is very famous as thousands of torii gates. ©Kyoto Convention Bureau /©JNTO
Fushimi Inari Shrine is very famous as thousands of torii gates. ©Kyoto Convention Bureau /©JNTO

It can be accessed by both JR and Keihan. JR’s Inari station is the nearest station. But Keihan’s station is only 5 minutes away from the shrine. You can choose it by your pass/deals.

If you combine this place with Nara, JR’s Inari station is on the way to Nara.

Uji

Byodoin Hououdou is the highlight in Uji. © JNTO
Byodoin Hououdou is the highlight in Uji. © JNTO

It is not located in city of Kyoto. So you cannot get there by city bus.

Both JR and Keihan can take you there. The biggest spot, Byodoin is located between JR Uji and Keihan’s Uji stations. It take about 10 minutes from both stations.

If you get there from Osaka, Keihan Railway is the best choice. But there is no direct train to Uji from Yodoyambashi. You have to change the trains at Chushojima.

Kyoto subway line goes to Rokujizo station. This is located at same place as JR’s Rokujizo station. You can change the trains very easily there. But Keihan’s Rokujizo station is a bit away from subway/JR stations. So if you access there from the heart of Kyoto, subway and JR combination is a good choice too.

Comments

  1. sophie says:

    Hello, first of all i thank you warmly for helping the travelers
    I have myself some questions and above all if you don t mind i want to know your opinion regarding my itinerary
    We ll be in japan from April 26 til May 8
    Landing at HND ans staying at the hotel airport
    27 til 28 tokyo
    28 til may 1st yamanouchi shibu onsen yudanaka
    may 1st til may 3 takayama
    may 3 til 5, kyoto
    may 5 til 7 kanazawa
    of course we purchased the 14 days JRpass
    Plz let me know what do you think?
    Much appreciated
    Sophie

  2. Ming says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Hope you well.

    Please advise whether a week @ Kyoto will that be too long?

  3. Liza says:

    Hi Takeshi!
    Would you advise the transportation for our (5 of us) itinerary as follows please:-
    24/3 arrive Osaka(Kansai Int Airport). Our lodging is at Osaka.
    25-27/3 Shinagawa/Takayama. Lodging at Takayama.
    27-30/3 Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe. Lodging at Osaka.
    30-31/3. Tokyo. Lodging at Tokyo
    31-2/4 . Mount Fuji area. Lodging at Fujikawaguchiko.
    2-4/4. Tokyo. Lodging at Tokyo.
    4/4 Departing home country from Narita Int Airport.

    We have to adjust the itinerary according to the accommodation places as we couldnt get reasonable priced accommodation if want to arrange for better routes itinerary.
    Would a 14 day JR pass better than 7-day pass with different day passes or you have better advice?
    Thanks.

  4. Regina says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I already study your blog regarding trip Osaka-Kyoto. I will not buy JR Pass 7 days because it is not worth.

    I already make itinerary Osaka-Kyoto as below :

    Day 1 : arr Kansai – going to Osaka Castle – Aqua Bus – stay at Shinsaibashi area
    Day 2 : going to universal studio and some place in Osaka (minami, shinsekai, tennoji)
    Day 3 : in the morning going to Kyoto Station (stay there) – will going to Fushimi Inari – Tofukuji Temple – Kiyomizudera Temple – Gion – back to Kyoto Station area in the night
    Day 4 : i will take tour package in Kyoto

    *Could you advise the best train from Shinsaibashi to Kyoto Station ? and
    *Do i need to buy Kansai Pass or Kyoto Sightseeing One Day Pass Card? I already read this blog, but i am so sorry i am still confuse about train in Japan due to so many train.

    Thank you in advance in your attention. I need your help.
    Thanks,

    regards,
    Regina

  5. Janice says:

    Hi!
    We will be traveling to Japan in 10 days! we have our JR Pass, and have planned our trip as follows.

    March 13-16 Tokyo (fish market, Ghibli Museum)
    March 16-18 Fuji (cup of noodles factory in Yokohama on the way)
    March 18-23 Kyoto (Imperial place, Fushimi inari, day trips to Nara, Kobe)
    March 23-26 Nozawaonsen
    March 26-27 Tokyo

    Are there any suggestions you might have for easy travel, quickest routes, things to see?
    We will be traveling with our two sons aged 8.

  6. Gin says:

    We (5 adults) will be in Japan from 26/3/2015 to 05/04/2015 during Cherry Blossom time. Briefly our itininery is as follows:

    1. 26/3/15 – 31/3/2015 will be in Tokyo and staying in the Chuo Ward, sightseeing all the tourist places. On 31/3/2015 will travel from Tokyo to Osaka by train)
    2. 31/3/2015 – 04/04/2015 will be sightseeing in Osaka, Hiroshima, Kobe, Himeji, Nara and 3 days in Kyoto (visiting all the tourist places) and our accommodation is in Osaka so that means travelling everyday by train??? to all the other places from Osaka. Then on 4/4/2015 will travel back to Tokyo for another night in Tokyo. Our flight back to Australia is at night on 05/04/2015 so we have another half day in Tokyo.

    We were advised to purchase the 14 day JR pass and ‘suika’ card. Is this the right decision or can you provide any other option. Are you able to provide suggestion of what type of train and from what station and any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

    Thank you.

  7. Rachel says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for maintaining this site which is very helpful to people who is planning to go Japan.

    I will be traveling to Japan soon and below is my itinerary.
    Day1: Hiroshima – Miyajima Island
    Day2: Hiroshima – Kyoto – Fushimi Inari Shrine – Kiyomizu-dera temple – GION – Nishiki Market
    Day3: Hiroshima – Kyoto – Nijo Castle – Arashiyama – Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) – Ryoanji
    Day4: Hiroshima – Kyoto – Kibune Shrine – Kurama Onsen – Ginkakuji – Philosopher’s Path
    Day5: Hiroshima – Nara – Kobe(Dinner)
    Day6: Hiroshima – Osaka – Shinsaibashi – Dontobori – Hozenji Yokocho Alley – Shinsekai
    Day7: Hiroshima – Osaka- Yodobashi Umeda – Osaka Castle(Osakajokoen) – Osaka lighting
    Day8: Hiroshima – Kyoto – Miyama
    Day9: Hiroshima – Peace Memorial Park

    Throughout my trip, I will be staying in Hiroshima. Which means I will travel from Hiroshima and back to Hiroshima for overnight every day.

    I have purchased 7 Days JR pass which I will activate from Day 2 to Day 8.
    May I know is my itinerary ok?
    Is there any additional pass which can help me to save money?
    Do I need to purchase ICOCA pass? For ICOCA pass, if I use up all the amount in the pass, do I have to pay for the 220 yen handling fee when I return the card?

    Thanks,
    Rachel

  8. Doreen says:

    Hi,

    I are planning a trip for me and 1 friend. Our current plan is as follows:

    Apr 09 – 11: Tokyo to Kyoto (please recommend place to visit using JR pass)
    Apr 11 – 13: Osaka to Nagano (please recommend place to visit using JR pass)
    Apr 14 – 16: Shirawaka to mt Fuji (please recommend place to visit using JR pass)

    Currently we are planning to buy 7 days JR rail pass. Can i know what is “ICOCA & HARUKA”? Is this same with 7 days JR rail pass? What is the difference with 7 days JR rail pass and “ICOCA & HARUKA”? Can you please help streamline this itinerary so that we do not miss any close by must-visit places.

    Many Thanks,
    Doreen Lee

  9. Novita says:

    Hi takeshi,

    I would like to know. What will be the best train to take from shin-osaka station to kyoto station, and vice versa. I was thinking to take JR Special Rapid Service (23mins $5.60). Is that the best option? Thank u 🙂

  10. Brandon says:

    Hi,

    First of all thank you very much for hosting this great site which has helped countless travellers.

    Now, here is my question:

    We are planning a trip for my family of 4 with two kids aged 16 and 11. Our current plan is as follows:

    Dec 15 – 17: Tokyo to Kyoto
    Dec 18 – 19: Hiroshima & Miyajima
    And return to Tokyo on Dec 19 late night. We will be staying at friends place in Tokyo.
    Dec 20 – Day trip from Tokyo (please recommend place to visit using JR pass)
    Dec 21 – Day trip from Tokyo (please recommend place to visit using JR pass)

    We then plan to spend another 10 days in Tokyo at a friend’s place going around Tokyo.

    Currently we are planning to buy 1 week JR rail pass. Can you please help streamline this itinerary so that we do not miss any close by must-visit places. Since we will still have 2 more days remaining in our rail pass (Dec 20 and 21), please let us know where else do you think we can squeeze in our itinerary. Ideally we would like to take day trip from Tokyo on those two days.

    Many Thanks,
    Brandon

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