Kyoto Public Transportation - Helpful Guide for New Visitors

Kyoto Subway

There are two subway lines in Kyoto:

1). Karasuma Line and

2). Tozai Line.

Karasuma Line which runs from south to north along Karasuma-dori (Karasuma Street) and stops at JR Kyoto Station.

Tozai Line which runs from east to west.

The two Kyoto Subway lines intersect at "Karasuma Oike" Station.

Use IC Card (like Suica or Pasmo) to pay for Subway fare.

JR Line trains

All JR lines including the Tokaido Shinkansen pass through or commence at JR Kyoto Station.

JR trains are a good option for accessing:

1). the Arashiyama area (Tenryu-ji Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove) and

2). some attractions in southern Kyoto along the JR Nara Line, e.g. Fushimi Inari Shrine and Byodoin in Uji.

You can use JR Pass or IC Card (like Suica or Pasmo) to pay for train fare.

Kyoto City Bus

Kyoto has a dense bus network with direct bus lines.

Public Buses runs from Kyoto Station and/or the city center to all major tourist attractions in the town.

Kyoto buses are usually crowded during peak hours.

To travel around central Kyoto, the Green Kyoto City Bus company buses are useful.

The Red buses run by Kyoto Bus company provide convenient access to suburbs from the central Kyoto area.

Raku Bus is one of the bus service particularly convenient for visitors.

There are three Raku Bus lines (#100, #101, #102).

Each Raku line follows routes connecting famous tourist sites including World Heritage Sites and popular temples and shrines.

Raku Bus #100 & #101 also connects to Kyoto Station.

Pickup English bus map and schedule from the train station or any tourist center for convenience.