Getting around in Kyoto - Kyoto Transportation and Orientation

Getting around for sightseeing in Kyoto could be very challenging for new visitors; however, I have simplified the transportation routes in order to ease the fear for everyone who tries to read the tourism map. Due to the lack of extensive subway and train system inside of Kyoto, the most reasonable method of getting around is the bus system in Kyoto. Kyoto bus route map for tourist is very complicated so I have simplified the extensive tourism map to a more practical drawing for easy understanding. I recommend reviewing my recommendations with a map on the side for quick reference.

Kyoto bus system could be very complicated for first time visitors

- To read about reasonable hotels in Kyoto, visit: Kyoto Reasonable Affordable Convenient Hotels
- To read about my recommendations of affordable, Reasonable, Convenient hotels in Tokyo, visit: Affordable Cheap Reasonable Hotels in Tokyo
- To read about my recommendations of affordable and reasonable hotels in Osaka, visit: Osaka Reasonable Affordable Hotel
- To read about planning your trip in Tokyo and Kyoto, visit: Tokyo and Kyoto Sample Itinerary
- To read about planning your trip in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, visit: Planning for your trip to Osaka Kyoto and Kobe in Japan

Simplified Kyoto access map. Try to study this map carefully while reading this blog post

Subway system and JR train system are the least complicated methods of getting around in Kyoto, but the destinations are very limited. I would use Subway and JR train systems as side options.

However, the best way to get to Fushimi Inari shrine and the famous bamboo forest is JR train, so for these two destinations, take JR train; for your other destinations, take Raku bus.

I recommend using bus day-pass and staying within only Raku Bus system until you are more familiar with other bus system in Kyoto. Regular commuter bus system could be very complicated and time consuming for hopping between sightseeing spots.

Raku Bus System

Open the pdf file on another screen while reading this article to learn about Kyoto transportation

Look for specially labeled Kyoto Raku Bus signs

Kyoto bus ticket vending machine

Raku Bus system is perhaps the most useful bus routes of the Kyoto bus system. The routes are designed for quick access to the major sightseeing spots in Kyoto, the Raku routes are likely to cover the destinations of interest of 90% of new visitors to Kyoto.

I recommend opening the PDF map on another monitor/screen in order to quick reference to my discussion about the bus, subway and train routes.

The three Raku routes are color coded and the appearance of the bus is differentiated by their artistic design of the bus.

Raku Bus 100 is of Pink Color
Raku Bus 101 is of Green Color
Raku Bus 102 is of Yellow Color

When reading the PDF tourism map, follow bus 100 and 101 color coded line, starting from Kyoto station and find your destinations of interest based on your itinerary.

Raku Bus 102 does not start from Kyoto station and the bus runs less frequently, therefore it is the slightly more complicated route; Raku Bus 100 and 101 are straightforward because they departs from Kyoto Station.

Kyoto bus station signs are well labeled in English

Raku Bus No.100: To Higashiyama Area (Kiyomizudera, Gion) and Ginkakuji Temple
Every ~10 minutes

Departs from Kyoto Station (Kyotoeki-mae) 7:40 ~ 17:00 (18:00 on Saturdays and holidays)

Departs from Ginkakuji-mae 8:16 ~ 17:36 (18:36 on Saturdays and holidays)

Major Stops

Kyoto Station ~ National Museum, Sanjusangendo Temple ~ Kiyomizudera Temple ~ Gion ~ Heianjingu Shrine ~ Ginkakuji Temple

Connection

Raku Bus 100 connects with Raku Bus 102 at Ginkaku-Michi or Kinrin-Shako Mae

- Raku Bus 100 also connects at Higashiyama Sanjo Bus stop with Subway system Higashiyama subway station. (Tozai Subway Line)

Raku Bus No.101: To Nijojo Castle, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kinkakuji Temple

Every ~15 minutes

Departs from Kyoto Station (Kyotoeki-mae) 8:00 ~ 16:30

Departs from Kinkakuji-michi (Temple) 7:21 ~ 16:51

Major Stops

Kyoto Station ~ Nijojo Castle ~ Kitano Tenmangu Shrine ~ Kinkakuji Temple ~ Daitokuji Temple ~ Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station)

Connection
Raku Bus 101 connects with Raku Bus 102 at Kitaoji Bus Terminal, Daitokuji, Senbon Kitaoji, Kinkaku-michi (Temple), Kitano Hakubai-cho, Senbon Imadegawa, Horikawa Imadegawa,

- Raku Bus 101 also connects at Shijo Karasuma Bus stop with Subway system Shijo subway station.
- Connects at Nijojo-mae Bus stop with Subway system Njijojo-mae subway station. (Tozai Subway Line)
- Connects at Kitaoji Bus Terminal Bus stop with Subway system Kitaoji subway station. (Karasuma Subway Line)

Raku Bus No.102: To Ginkakuji Temple, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kinkakuji Temple

Every ~30 minutes

Departs from Ginkakuji-michi  (Temple) 8:04 ~ 16:34

Departs from Kinkakuji-michi (Temple) 8:58 ~ 17:28

Major Stops

Ginkakuj Temple ~ Kyoto Imperial ~ Kitano Tenmangu Shrine ~ Kinkakuji Temple ~ Daitokuji Temple ~ Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station)

Connection
Raku Bus 102 connects with Raku Bus 101 at Kitaoji Bus Terminal, Daitokuji, Senbon Kitaoji, Kinkaku-michi (Temple), Kitano Hakubai-cho, Senbon Imadegawa, Horikawa Imadegawa.

- Raku Bus 102 also connects at Kitaoji Bus Terminal Bus stop with subway system at Kitaoji subway station (Karasuma Subway Line).

Announcement and signs are in English within Kyoto bus system

JR Japan Railway System

Traveling via Japan rail train system is always easy but it is not very practical for Kyoto sightseeing. Inari Fushimi station

JR Japan Railway system is quite limited for visiting temples and shrines. For first time visitors to Kyoto, Kyoto JR Japan Railway system is useful for:

*Nijojo Castle: JR Sagano Line (connecting from JR Kyoto station) - Nijo JR station
*Bamboo Forest: JR Sagano Line (connecting from JR Kyoto station) - Saga-Arayshimaya JR station
*Fushimi Inari Shrine: JR Nara Line (connecting from JR Kyoto station) - Inari JR station

Subway System

Kyoto subway station, well labeled in English language

Modern subway system in Kyoto. Limited number of destinations

There are only two short subway lines in Kyoto, the two lines are of low complexity when compared to Tokyo or Osaka subway system. Karasuma subway line runs south to north, originating from Kyoto station. Tozai subway line rums east to west;  the two subway lines crosses and connects at Karasuma-Oike subway station.
Subway system is quite limited for visiting temples and shrines. For first time visitors to Kyoto, Kyoto Subway system is useful for:

*Nishiki Market: Karasuma Subway Line - Shijo subway station

*Nijojo Castle: Tozai Subway Line - Nijojo-mae subway station.

Taxi

Taking the taxi is a reasonable way to visit Kyoto due to the complexity of Kyoto bus system, limitation on Japan railway and limitation of the subway stations. I do not usually recommend taking taxi while traveling in major cities in Japan, however, I tend to think the amount of time saved from waiting for the bus is well worth the price paid for Taxi. If you are traveling in groups of 2 or more and have limited time in Kyoto, Taxi would be a very reasonable way to get around in Kyoto


Dedicated to my graduate school comrade: "Klueless in Kyoto"