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
- For the travellers who use ICOCA, Kansai one pass, Suica, Pasmo or other IC cards
- For the travellers who use Kansai Thru Pass
- JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai WIDE Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass
- Kyoto Sightseeing One and Two-day Pass Card and Kyoto subway pass
- How to access to major spots in Kyoto by train
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:
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:
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:
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
Hi Takeshi
I have plan to visit Japan on next April 11 to 22.
11 Tokyo-Hiroshima stop over Kobe for half day trip
12-13 Hiroshima, Miyajima
14 Hiroshima-Kyoto stop over Osaka for half day trip
14-16 Kyoto
16-19 Tokyo
19-22 Sapporo
can I use for all my trip with JR Pass ?
on my way to Tokyo can I go for 1 day trip to Shirakawa ?
Many thanks for your reply.
Christine
Hi Christine,
You may use 14 days JR pass. Whole of your trip will be covered by JR pass except subway and local bus in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Sapporo as you need.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Regarding trip to Shirakawago, please refer the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks again for your response.
With a Sanyo-Sanin pass, can I take a Nozomi at Hakata and stop at Shin-Osaka?
Hi Benjy,
Yes, you can. But if you book your seat, Sakura and Mizuho are recommended. Because these two trains have better seat layout. Mizuho and Sakura have 2+2. Nozomi has 2+3.
Image gallery of Nozomi
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/tokaido-shinkansen-image-gallery.html#Images-2
Image gallery of Sakura and Mizuho
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/shinkansen/tokaido-sanyo-and-kyushu/kyushu-shinkansen-n700-series-for-mizuho-sakura-and-tsubame-image-gallery.html#Reserved_Ordinary_Class
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you very much for your suggestion!
No problem, Benjy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks a lot for your reply. I really appreciate it.
I am visiting Kyoto this weekend. It will be a 3 days 2 nights trip. I have drafted my itinerary, could you please give some feedback?
Feb 6, Sat
Earliest shinkansen from Fukuoka
ETA Shin Osaka – 8.30 a.m.
Take Special Rapid Service from Shin Osaka to Kyoto
JR Train to Fushimi Inari – if have time, may slot in Tofuku-ji as well
Then from Inari (Keihan) to Kiyomizu-dera
Evening / night at Gion
Feb 7, Sun
8am? Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji.
Then to Arashiyama.
Evening / night around Kyoto Station
I will be leaving on earliest shinkansen on Monday morning, so basically I have only 2 days to visit Kyoto. I will be staying near Kyoto Station.
Based on my very simple itinerary, what you think is a better option? Get a ICOCA card or a Bus Pass?
Thank you very much in advance!
Hi Benjy,
I think only single fare is okay because you will take a bus and subway very few times. If you use ICOCA, it is okay But I recommend to use train pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRailcom
Hi Takeshi, it’s Benjy again.
Sorry, but I would like to confirm something here. I am going to travel from Kumamoto to Kyoto this coming weekend by shinkansen. I have purchased a Sanyo-Sanin Area Pass and planning to get the Northern Kyushu Area Pass as well. So If I have both passes, can I take the Mizuho from Kumamoto direct to Shin-Osaka without need to change trains?
Thanks so much in advance!
Hi Benjy,
Yes, you can. When you book it, please show the both passes. And you may get one ticket from Kumamoto to Shin-Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi… Your webpage is very informative and I really liked it!
I am going to Kumamoto next week and planning to visit Kyoto during the weekends. So basically I am planning to take a shinkansen from Fukuoka on Friday night and leave Kyoto on Sunday night to head back to Fukuoka. Planning to get a Sanyo Sanin pass for this. Is it correct?
Then around Kyoto, I plan to visit Kinkakuji, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizudera. From your post, I think the Kansai Thru Pass would be the best one, right?
Just wanted your opinion, is this a good side trip for a weekend trip? Or visiting Hiroshima would be better? I really liked to visit Kyoto but time constraints are bugging me.
Thanks!
Hi Benjy,
Sanyo Sanin Area Pass is a good choice but Kansai thru pass is too much. Because Sanyo Sanin pass covers Fushimi and Arashiyama. All day bus pass is enough to visit other places in Kyoto.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Hiroshima is closer and easier than Kyoto. But you can visit Kyoto too. But if you use Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, you cannot take Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto. You have to get off Shinkansen at Shin-Osaka and take special rapid to Kyoto. Shinkansen runs to Kyoto but it’s not covered by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi..
Thanks for your reply! I really appreciate it! =D
I wanted to ask, if I were to make a trip from Kumamoto to Hiroshima, and visit Hiroshima and Miyajima, any pass that i could use? I don’t know of any that covers Fukuoka – Hiroshima route.
Hi Benjy,
If you give up Kyoto and make a trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima, the deal in the following link suits your plan.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/hiroshima-yamaguchi-area-pass-designed-for-the-tourists-who-travel-to-hiroshima-from-hakata.html
Or if you give up one of two days in Kyoto, you can drop by Hiroshima and Miyajiama on the way back to Hakata from Kyoto. It’s very tight but not impossible. In this case, you can use Sanyo Sanin Area Pass. It covers Kyoto, Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much for your reply and information, Takeshi! Really appreciate it!
No problem, Benjy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi/JPRail.com
Hi I will be arriving on 13 feb at kansai, overnight at kyoto.
I intend to take the thunderbird from kyoto to kaga onsen
on 14feb around 1000hrs and return to osaka on 16feb around
1100hrs,can you please advice me what pass i should purchase.
and kindly let me have the train schedule, and return to singapore
on 18feb.
thank you for your help.
Hi Tong,
You can use Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-to-kansai-kanazawa-and-toyama.html
You may find timetable at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much. I will take a look at it!
No problem, Catherine.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, this is Tanner. I will be visiting Kyoto for 3 full days in February from Saturday to Monday, and intend to travel everywhere by bus as I think it’s more convenient with an elderly person (I know trains would be much better!). I will be staying in a hotel near Kyoto Tower. May I know if there’s a link I could refer to to find out which bus I could take to get to places like Arashiyama, Higashiyama, Fushimi Inari etc? Otherwise, if I should take a train instead, could you advise which pass would be best please? Thank you so much.
Regards,
Tanner
Hi Tanner,
All day bus pass gives you unlimited travel by bus at 500 yen for one day.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
You can find the route map at the link below:
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html#bus
However I recommend you to take JR train to Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari. These places can be accessed from JR Kyoto station directly. You will stay near Kyoto station. Single fare is around 200 yen. You can get there faster and easier. I think it is worth paying a few hundred yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
My itinerary to my upcoming trip to Japan is as follows–
–> Arrive Kansai International Airport
–> Travel to Nagoya, stay for 2 nights
–> Travel to Kyoto, stay for 6 nights
–> Depart from Kansai International Airport
I will be making day trips to Nara while I’m at Kyoto. What are my options for my transportation needs of my itinerary? Should I proceed with the 5 days Kintetsu Rail Pass or the ICOCA/HARUKA Pass or both? The Kintetsu Rail Pass will not be able to cover the entire trip. If so, how should I utilise it?
Thank you
Hi Catherine,
I recommend you to use both ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket, and Kintetsu rail pass 5 days.
You may take Haruka to Tennoji from KIX and transfer to local train to Tsuruhashi. Tsuruhashi is the easiest station to transfer from JR to Kintetsu. Both railway’s gates are connected each other directly.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
I think you can purchase Kintetsu rail pass and ICOCA and Haruka at KIX. If you purchase Kintetsu rail pass at local agent outside Japan, you have to go to Namba to exchange it. But if you purchase it at KIX, you may purchase Kintetsu rail pass itself and no required to exchange. Once you get Tsuruhashi, you can book limited express train to Nagoya at Kintetsu railway Tsuruhashi station reservation window. It runs mostly once an hour.
You may use this pass to get Nara within this 5 days coverage period.
ICOCA e-money 1500 yen can be used for any trains when you are in Kyoto. If you purchase Kyoto city sightseeing card, you can take bus and subway. But it does not cover other railways. ICOCA can cover these trains.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
On last day, you can take limited express Haruka from Kyoto. It takes you KIX directly.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
Thank you for the helpful information!
Am I able to use the ICOCA card to travel within Nagoya and Nara as well? I will just need to top-up the money into the card as I travel, am I right?
Hi Catherine,
You can use ICOCA within Nagoya and Nara. But if you visit major places only in Nara, all places can be accessed by walk.
You may load some more fund into the card. Minimum is 1000 yen and you need to add 1000 yen each at any JR stations.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
When I’m travelling from Nagoya (Fushimi station) to Kyoto (Omiya Station), am I able to use the Kintetsu Rail Pass? Searching via Hyperdia, I realised that out of the many transfers during my journey, majority of the trains I will be taking is under JR and other private railways.
Other than the Kintetsu limited express which I will be travelling on from Kuwana to Tsuruhashi, the rest are subways, Hankyu-Senri & Hanky-Kyoto lines. For the rest of the non-Kintetsu lines, will I need to use the ICOCA card for payment of the train fare?
Hi Catherine,
If you want to use Kintetsu Rail Pass for this trip, your route is the following:
Fushimi (Nagoya subway) Nagoya (Kintetsu railway limited express *Transfer required at Ise-Nakagawa or Yamato-Yagi) Kyoto (Kyoto subway) Shijo/Karasuma (Hankyu railway) Omiya
Only Nagoya-Kyoto segment is covered by Kintetsu rail pass. As I mentioned above, you have to transfer at least once because there is no direct train between Nagoya and Kyoto.
You can use ICOCA. Otherwise just purchase single ticket at the vending machine by cash.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thanks for the reply.
Do you mind helping me take a look at this link from Hyperdia?
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=FUSHIMI(AICHI)&arv_node=OMIYA(KYOTO)&via_node01=&via_node02=&via_node03=&year=2016&month=01&day=09&hour=11&minute=00&search_type=0&search_way=&transtime=undefined&sort=0&max_route=5&faretype=0&airplane=off&ship=off&sprexprs=off&sprnozomi=off&slputr=off&exprs=off&slpexprs=off&liner=off&bus=off&walk=off&lmlimit=null&search_target=route&facility=reserved&sum_target=7
The journey recommended to me via Hyperdia proposes 6 transfers. I believe that this is the fastest way for me to travel from Nagoya to Kyoto, requiring at least 4 hours of travelling time. My Kintetsu pass allows me to use for the Kintetsu limited express. However, for the rest of the journey where I need to use the Nagoya subway, Kyoto subway and Hankyu railways, do I need to use my ICOCA to access them? They are not directly connected, right?
With regards to your statement earlier, “Transfer required at Ise-Nakagawa or Yamato-Yagi”, can you further explain to me? The link above does not include any transfer at Ise-Nakagawa or Yamato-Yagi..
Hi Catherine,
Hyperdia sometimes does not show the best route. Please see the link below:
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=KINTETSUNAGOYA&arv_node=KYOTO&via_node01=&via_node02=&via_node03=&year=2016&month=01&day=09&hour=11&minute=00&search_type=0&search_way=&transtime=undefined&sort=0&max_route=5&faretype=0&airplane=off&ship=off&sprexprs=off&sprnozomi=off&slputr=off&exprs=off&slpexprs=off&liner=off®ular=off&bus=off&walk=off&jr=off&lmlimit=null&search_target=route&facility=reserved&sum_target=7
It does not show Nagoya subway, Kyoto subway and Hankyu. But it does not take many minutes, 5 minutes in Naogya and 15 minutes in Kyoto.
This route is faster than other link’s schedule.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, it’s Triet again.
Sorry, can you please tell me whether I should buy Kyoto 2-day pass for my two days in Kyoto (I will stay in Kyoto, too). Just as you said, we should not take bus to travel around Kyoto, so should I buy Kyoto subway pass (600yen/day) instead? I just a bit confused between “subways” and “trains”. If we use subway pass, do we need to pay extra for other kind of “train”?
Also, a bit out of the topic but could you please suggest the best place for us on this Christmas Day (24/12 night). We’ll be staying in Osaka this day but we plan to visit Kobe, Nara (even go to Kyoto first if there’s any interesting thing in Kyoto on 24/12)!
Thank you so much in advance.
Triet
Hi Triet,
I recommend you to try to avoid using the bus as much as possible. But you cannot visit all places without bus. For example, you cannot go Kinnkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) by only subway or other trains. You need to buy Kyoto sightseeing card (one day 1200 yen). You cannot take other trains. Please see the post above again. You will find the coverage of some deals.
Many places have light up until Christmas. You can google “Christmas light up Osaka (or Kobe)”. You will find some.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com