Transportation

The key to sightseeing in Japan is to make good use of public transportation such as airplanes, Shinkansen bullet trains, trains and buses. Here we have compiled a list of comfortable access methods that avoid congestion, divided into "Getting to Kyoto" and "Getting around Kyoto".

How to get to Kyoto

Kyoto is located almost in the center of Japan and is conveniently accessible from the capital, Tokyo, as well as from other parts of Japan.
You can reach Kyoto in just a few hours by plane or the Shinkansen bullet train.
For information on how to get to Kyoto from other parts of Japan, tap the button for each city.

*Please be aware that the Nozomi Shinkansen cannot be used with the Japan Rail Pass.

NRT

Narita International Airport
HND

Haneda International Airport

NGO

Chubu International Airport

KIX

Kansai International Airport
ITM

Osaka International Airport

FUK

Fukuoka Airport

Basic knowledge and manners of public transportation in Japan

We have compiled a list of things you should know in advance when using public transportation in Japan, including "Types of railways in Japan" and "How to use and charge your transportation system IC card".
Japan's public transportation system is very convenient for getting around, with strict adherence to timetables and a high level of safety. Check the schedule and route in advance, and be sure to observe the manners and rules of public transportation.

Great value plan tickets

Recommended ticket deals vary depending on the number of days and areas to be visited and the means of public transportation.
The most common way to travel around Japan is with the "JAPAN RAIL PASS". In addition, the "Kansai Area Pass" and the "Kansai Rail Pass" are convenient for touring around the Kansai region.

Park and Ride

Avoid visiting by car, as the area around tourist attractions in Kyoto City is crowded, especially during the holiday season.
If you have no choice but to use a rental car, we recommend "park-and-ride".

Kyoto has many park-and-ride parking where you can park your car and transfer to public transportation.
This reduces the stress of congestion and waiting for parking, and allows visitors to enjoy sightseeing more.
Some park-and-ride parking lots may offer reduced parking rates or special offers for using public transportation.
Take advantage of park-and-ride for a stress-free, environmentally friendly sightseeing experience.

Luggage delivery between cities

If you are traveling between cities with large suitcases, use a luggage delivery service.
Shipping requests can be made from airports, major hotels (in some cases), and luggage storage services at train stations.
In Kyoto, the following locations are available for shipping to other cities.

FAQ Kyoto Online Tourist
Information Center

Related links

From Tokyo

Tokaido Shinkansen:
Approx. 130 minutes “Fast” “Comfortable”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who want to get there faster and more comfortably

・Those who want to go sightseeing upon arrival

It takes approximately 130 minutes from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on the ""Nozomi"" or 170 minutes on the ""Hikari"" Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train.

*An additional fee is required when riding the Nozomi Shinkansen bullet train with JAPAN RAIL PASS.

<Reference>

Access from the airport to the Shinkansen bullet train station

From Narita International Airport (NRT) to Tokyo Station (via Limited Express train)

Approx. 60 minutes to Tokyo Station via JR Limited Express Narita Express

From Haneda International Airport (HND) to Shinagawa Station (Shinkansen stop) (via train)

Approx. 20-30 minutes to Shinagawa Station on the Keikyu Airport Line

From Nagoya

Tokaido Shinkansen:
Approx. 40 minutes “Fast” “Comfortable”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who want to get there faster and more comfortably

・Those who want to go sightseeing upon arrival

It takes approximately 34 minutes from Nagoya Station to Kyoto Station on the ""Nozomi"" or 43 minutes on the ""Hikari"" Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train.

*An additional fee is required when riding the Nozomi Shinkansen bullet train with JAPAN RAIL PASS.

<Reference>

Access from the airport to the Shinkansen bullet train station

From Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) (via train)

Approx. 30 minutes to Nagoya Station on the Meitetsu Airport Line μ-SKY

From Osaka

JR Kansai Airport Limited Express Haruka:
Approx. 80 minutes “Fast” “Comfortable”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who want to get there faster and more comfortably
・Those who want to go to Kyoto without any transfers

Direct trains to Kyoto take approximately 80 minutes.
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Nankai Electric Railway Airport Express Rapi:t:
Approx. 100 minutes “Comfortable”

[Recommended for people like this]
・Those who wish to go directly to the Shijo area (Karasuma/Kawaramachi) in downtown Kyoto

・Those who wish to avoid complicated transfers and congestion at Kyoto Station

If you wish to go to the Shijo area (Karasuma/Kawaramachi), the downtown area of Kyoto, you can also use the Nankai Railway's limited express ""Rapi:t"" train.

From Nankai Kansai Airport Station, take the Airport Express Rapi:t and transfer to the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line at Tengachaya Station. You can then transfer to the Hankyu Kyoto Line at Hankyu Awaji Station, which has a direct connection, and take the route to reach Kyoto Kawaramachi Station.
Alternatively, we recommend taking the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line, getting off at Kitahama Station, transferring to a Keihan train, and getting off at Gion-Shijo Station. Both will take approximately 100 minutes to reach your destination.
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Airport limousine bus:
Approx. 100 minutes “Cheap”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who want to go to Kyoto without any transfers
・Those who want to travel to Kyoto city at a low cost
・Those who want their luggage to be transported with them

You will arrive in Kyoto in approximately 100 minutes. These buses are affordable and go directly to Kyoto.
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Jumbo taxi / fixed price taxi:
Travel time depends on destination “Comfortable

[Recommended for people like this]
・Those who want to travel door to door from the airport to their destination
・Those with a large number of travelers

You can be picked up and dropped off at your designated destination (by reservation only). Please check the details in advance.
https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/service/traffic/02.html

Airport limousine bus: Approx.
50-55 minutes “Comfortable”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who want to go to Kyoto without any transfers

・Those who want their luggage to be transported with them

Buses regularly depart from and arrive at Kyoto Station and some hotels in Kyoto. Travel time is approximately 50-55 minutes.

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Jumbo taxi:
Travel time depends on destination “Comfortable”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who want to travel door to door from the airport to their destination

・Those with a large number of travelers

You can be picked up and dropped off at your designated destination (by reservation only). Please check the details in advance.
https://www.osaka-airport.co.jp/en/access/taxi

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Osaka Monorail & Hankyu Railway:
Approx. 60 minutes “Cheap”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who want to travel to Kyoto city at a low cost

・Those who wish to go directly to the Shijo area (Karasuma/Kawaramachi) in downtown Kyoto

・Those who want to avoid congestion and arrive on time

You can reach Kyoto's downtown area, Kawaramachi, in approximately 60 minutes on the Osaka Monorail and Hankyu Kyoto Line."

JR Special Rapid Service:
Approx. 30 minutes “Fast”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who want to go to Kyoto quickly from JR Osaka station

・Those who want to go to Fushimi Inari, Yamashina, and other destinations along the JR line

From Osaka Station, you can take JR conventional lines (such as the Special Rapid Service) to Kyoto Station. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes with the Special Rapid Service.

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Hankyu Railway:
Approx. 45 minutes “Comfortable” “Cheap”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who wish to go from the center of Osaka City to the Shijo area (Karasuma/Kawaramachi) in downtown Kyoto or Arashiyama

・Those who wish to avoid complicated transfers and congestion at Kyoto Station

From Osaka Umeda Station, visitors can take the Hankyu Railway to Kawaramachi Station, and from there they can travel to Kyoto City. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes.

Keihan Main Line:
Approx. 48 minutes “Comfortable” “Cheap”

[Recommended for people like this]

・Those who wish to go directly to the Shijo area (Karasuma/Kawaramachi) in downtown Kyoto

・Those who wish to avoid complicated transfers and congestion at Kyoto Station

You can also go directly from Keihan Yodoyabashi Station/Kyobashi Station in Osaka City to the downtown area of Kyoto City.

Travel time is approximately 48 minutes from Yodoyabashi Station via the Limited Express train.

From Fukuoka

Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen:
Approx. 170 minutes “Fast” “Comfortable”

[Recommended for people like this]

•Those who want to get there faster and more comfortably

•Those who want to go sightseeing upon arrival

The ""Nozomi"" train, which goes directly from Hakata Station to Kyoto Station on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines, takes approximately 170 minutes to arrive at Kyoto Station.

If you first board the ""Mizuho"" or ""Sakura"" on the Sanyo Shinkansen, you will need to change to the Tokaido Shinkansen midway through the trip. In that case, it will take more than 180 minutes.

•An additional fee is required if you take the Nozomi or Mizuho train with the JAPAN RAIL PASS.

<Reference>

Access from the airport to the Shinkansen bullet train station

From Fukuoka International Airport (FUK) (via subway)

Approx. 5 minutes to Hakata Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line