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. Gina says:
    March 26, 2017 at 10:55 pm

    Hello Takeshi,

    We are planning our Japan trip for December and we are considering Kyoto as our first stop upon arrival in Itami Airport. What would you recommend be the best way to travel from the airport to Kyoto? Our concern would be our heavy luggages since we would be coming in from Tokyo. Are limousine bus a good choice or should we take the Hankyu train instead?

    Best Regards,
    Gina

  2. Tenny Wan says:
    March 19, 2017 at 8:06 pm

    Hi there,

    I will be traveling to Japan for 10 nights beginning arriving on 4/29.

    4/29 Arrive at Haneda 6AM- travel to Shinjuku
    4/29-5/3 Stay in Shinjuku/Tokyo
    5/3 Travel to Osaka 3 nights with day trips to Kyoto
    5/6 Travel back to Tokyo (either from Osaka or Kyoto)
    5/9 Fly out of Haneda at 9PM

    Do you think it’ll be best for us to purchase the 7 day JR pass? If so, what is the most optimal to start using the pass?

    Thank you so much for your help!
    Tenny

  3. Liz says:
    March 16, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    Hello,

    We are a family of 4 (2 adults 2 children 11yrs & 6yrs). Below is our itinerary:-

    4th April we arrive Haneda airport and catch the monorail (owned by JR East) to Hamamatsucho monorail station. We are staying in this area for 2 nights and will walk and use trains to look around Tokyo.

    6th April we take the Limited Expresss Kusatsu from Ueno station to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi station and connect to the Jr Bus Kanto shuttle bus to Kusatsu Onsen.

    7th April we return from Kusatsu Onsen to Tokyo staying at Tokyo Bay area.

    8th April we travel from Tokyo to Hiroshima (either by bullet train or plane?). We are staying at the Grand Prince Hotel. I believe we can use the Hiroshim tourist loop bus with a JR Pass.

    11th April we travel from Hiroshima to Kyoto by bullet train. While in Kyoto we will visit Arashiyama area and staying in Higashiyama Ward. We may take a day trip to Nara.

    14th April we travel from Kyoto to Tokyo.

    14th-18th stay at Tokyo bay in Tokyo and using the rail system to see the sights of Tokyo.

    If we go by train to Hiroshima would you recommend the 7 or 14 day JR Rail pass?

    If we decide to fly to Hiroshima would you recommend the 7 or 14day Rail pass?

    Do you think the JR Rail pass is the best for our itinerary?

    Many thanks in advance.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 16, 2017 at 9:04 pm

      Hi Liz,

      If you take a flight to Hiroshima from Tokyo, even 7 days JR pass does not work. Single ticket is cheaper.
      If you take a train to Hiroshima, you can use 14 days pass. You can use it for the first or the last 14 days of your trip. But JR office at Haneda is open from 7:45 to 18:30. You may not be able to start using it when you arrive in Haneda.

      I think use 14 days pass and taking train to Hiroshima is the best choice.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Liz says:
        March 19, 2017 at 3:17 pm

        Thank you for your advice.

        We are going to purchase an14 day ordinary pass. Would you recommend paying extra to reserve seats on the train during spring time?

  4. jonalee says:
    March 14, 2017 at 3:12 am

    Hi, I am to purchase a Japan Rail Pass and will travel from TOkyo to Kyoto and Osaka. Only staying for a day in each of these cities.
    In Kyoto, We stay near Nijo Castle and I plan to walk to go to Nishiki, Gion, Kiyumizu dera,and lastly Fushimi Inari. Google says it will take around 2 hours for the travel. Then, I will take train from Inari station to Kyoto for the shinkansen back to Tokyo.
    With this plan, do you recommend another pass for Kyoto? or I can use the JR pass from Inari to Kyoto station? or just 1 ticket?Thanks

  5. Alanna Ticali says:
    March 12, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    Hello Takeshi-san!

    I am having real trouble deciding whether or not to get a 14-day JR pass for my trip to Japan coming up May 22nd-June 5th. Here is the itinerary:

    5/22-5/31– Arrive in Narita airport, stay in Tokyo (with day trips to Hakone and possibly Nikko). Travel by Metro, Toei, and JR lines depending on the destination

    5/31-6/4– Kyoto (possible day trip to Osaka). JR pass is not very useful here, will need another pass.

    6/4- Return to Tokyo to depart from Narita airport

    I am thinking either we get a JR 14-day pass + Suica card + Kansai thru pass, or we just buy separate train tickets for trips from Narita-Tokyo, Tokyo-Kyoto + Tokyo-Hakone via Odakyu line + Suica Card +Kansai thru pass.

    Getting the JR pass may be more convenient, but I wonder if it will be much more expensive in the long run. What do you think about this? I have been stuck on the decision for a while. Thank you, I would really appreciate your advice!

    -Alanna

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 12, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      Hi Alanna san,

      I recommend you to use 7 days JR pass. Actually 7 days pass is almost equal to round trip fare by Shinkansen between Kyoto and Tokyo. So I recommend you to use 7 days pass for the last 7 days of your trip. If you go to Nikko in this 7 days period, your saving is getting bigger. And also if you include trip to Hakone in this 7 days period, you can take Shinkansen to get Odawara on the way to Hakone.

      You may use subway pass or other deals before you use JR pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. Dee Vitug says:
    March 3, 2017 at 9:15 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Good day to you. I will be in Tokyo from April 1 to 5 and the following days I am planning to visit Kyoto until on my return flight on April 12 from Narita, Tokyo. Would you recommend to get a JR pass?

    Your recommendation is highly appreciated.

    Thank you,
    Dee

  7. Sgaik says:
    March 2, 2017 at 5:27 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Good day.

    We will be arriving Osaka on early April. We are staying at Osaka and travel to both Kyoto and Nara.

    Our itinerary are :
    3 days to Kyoto.
    1 day to Nara.
    1 day trip to Shirakawago.

    Would you please advise if Kansai Thru Pass or JR Pass are more suitable for above, travelling from Osaka.

    Appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

    Best regards,
    Gaik

  8. Felicia says:
    February 28, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San,
    I have booked my trip to Japan for the first time and I will be in the following places below:
    1. Osaka 13-16 th April , hotel in Chua ward.
    2. Depart from Osaka to Kyoto on 16th April. Stay in Kyoto in one of the hotel in
    Nakagyo Ward for 5 days.
    3. Depart form Kyoto to Tokyo via the JR pass bullet train on 21st April . Stay in Tokyo 3 nights in Ueno area.

    Do you think it’s worth getting a 14 days JR pass for the 12 days duration inOsaka-Kyoto-Tokyo?
    If not what are your recommendation?

    Thanks for your advice .

  9. Will says:
    February 21, 2017 at 12:30 am

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    My wife and I are debating if getting the 7-day JR Pass will be worth it.

    Day 1: Narita Airport –> Shinjuku Station
    – Will use JR via Narita Express

    Day 2-4 Tokyo
    – Will use JR Yamanote Line and Chuo Line to get around Tokyo
    – Will use Suica Card for other subway fares

    Day 5 Tokyo to Kyoto
    – Will use JR (Hikari)
    – Suica card for other subway, rails

    Day 6 Kyoto to Shin-Kobe, Shin-Kobe to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto
    – Will use JR to get to these places

    From my calculation, it will cost us around 25,000 -26000 yen. If you were us (first time in Japan), would you pay the 3000-4000 difference to save on time/convenience?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      February 21, 2017 at 6:16 am

      Hi Will san,

      I recommend you to use JR pass because it’s much easier to handle.

      As you think, single ticket and adding other local deals is cheaper. But it’s complicated. And also JR pass gives you flexibility. If you change your mind to visit other place, you can change your plan easily by JR pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Rachel Cohen says:
    February 20, 2017 at 7:54 am

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    My husband and I will be travelling throughout Japan, from March 20 – March 31st. Our planned trip is as follows:

    March 20 – Arrive (Kansai) Osaka
    March 21 – Osaka / Kyoto
    March 22 – Kyoto
    March 23 – Kyoto (side trip to Himeji and Hiroshima)
    March 24 – Kyoto
    March 25 – Kyoto / Lake Biwa
    March 26 – Lake Biwa / Tokyo
    March 27 – Tokyo
    March 28- Tokyo
    March 29- Tokyo
    March 30- Tokyo

    We are either considering the 5 day Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass (begin on 3/21) and paying separately for the bullet train from Lake Biwa -> Tokyo, or alternatively purchasing the 7 day JR Rail Pass (begin on 3/23). Are the Rail Passes much use in cities like Kyoto or Tokyo? Also, I believe that the 5 day Kansai-Hiroshima area pass does not allow you to reserve seats – do you believe that this could be a problem based on the time we are travelling?

    Your help thoughts are much appreciated!

    Thank you,
    Rachel

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