Kyoto City, as well as Kyoto City Tourism Association are working with local organizations to create a sustainable approach to tourism during the current autumn season. Our goal is to welcome the incoming visitors while ensuring that tourism remains in harmony with the daily life of citizens.
The list of helpful information for your autumn visit to Kyoto is available below.
*This webpage is regularly updated.
In this article
- 1. Transportation and avoiding the crowds
- Free transfer from city buses to the subway
- Changes in bus operation at bus stops near Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass tickets
- New Digital Map of Kyoto Station
- Trains are a fast and convenient way to explore Kyoto
- 2. Traveling without burden
- Hands-free travel
- Luggage storage and delivery services
- New information counters at Kyoto Station
- 3. Garbage disposal
- Where to dispose of garbage
- Combating litter in tourist areas
- 4. Enjoying the season to its fullest
- Autumn Leaves Calendar
- Autumn illumination events
- Festivals and events
1. Transportation and avoiding the crowds
Free transfer from city buses to the subway
Traveling by different modes of transportation, particularly the subway and trains, is a good way to avoid the crowds. During weekends and holidays, passengers heading to Kyoto Station from the designated bus stops will be able to transfer to the subway free of charge.
From Higashiyama to Kyoto Station
Available period: Sat, Sun & holidays in November, from 3:45 PM to 7:20 PM each day.
Bus stop: Higashiyama-Sanjo (Higashiyama Subway Station)
From Kinkaku-ji Temple to Kyoto Station
Available period: Sat, Sun & holidays in November, 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM each day
Bus stop: Kinkakuji-michi (northbound) → Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Kitaoji Subway Station)
Changes in bus operation at bus stops near Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Boarding areas of the following bus stops will be separated by destination in order to alleviate crowding and improve convenience. Additionally, the Gojozaka (southbound) boarding area “A” will be temporarily closed.
Period of operation: November 22nd (Sat) – 24th (Mon, holiday), 29th (Sat), 30th (Sun)
Affected bus stops:
・Kiyomizu-michi (southbound) “A” bus stop
Buses that stop here, and are headed towards Kyoto Station: 58, 86, 106, 206, EX100, Hachijoguchi 202, Hachijoguchi 207
・Kiyomizu-michi (southbound) “D” bus stop
Buses that stop here, and are headed towards Kujo-dori: 58, 202, 207, Hachijoguchi 202, Hachijoguchi 207
・Gojozaka (southbound) “A” bus stop
Temporarily suspended. Please use the Umamachi or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop instead.
Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass tickets
Make use of the convenient “Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass” ticket when sightseeing in Kyoto! You can use it to board all subway and city bus lines, as well as any Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, and West Japan JR Bus and for one day with no limits. The holders of this ticket additionally receive discounts and other perks at around 50 facilities in the city.
Where to buy:
A temporary sales booth will be set up inside Kyoto’s Shinkansen Station.
Business dates and hours of the booth: November 22nd (Sat) and 29th (Sat), 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM each day
Location: Inside the concourse on the second floor of Kyoto Shinkansen Station．
New Digital Map of Kyoto Station
A new website called the “Digital Map of Kyoto Station ~Kyoto Station Smart Navi~” that provides comprehensive information on the location of services, coin lockers and bus stops found within Kyoto Station, has recently been released. You can use it by simply accessing it and using your smartphone.
Trains are a fast and convenient way to explore Kyoto
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by navigating through Kyoto’s numerous and spread-out tourist attractions? You can make your trip easier by using the city’s train network!
Keep these 3 tips in mind to explore Kyoto comfortably:
1. Travel by train as close to your destination as possible.
2. Transfer to a bus if needed for the final stretch.
3. Walk from the nearest bus stop to your destination.
Following these steps can help you avoid crowds and enjoy an efficient, comfortable trip around Kyoto.
Recommended routes to major tourist attractions (PDF)
*The flyers attached above, as well as digital signage are provided at a number of locations in Kyoto and Osaka in order to provide information on routes to Kyoto from Osaka that do not pass through Kyoto Station.
2. Traveling without burden
Hands-free travel
There are many ways of dealing with large pieces of luggage when you come to visit Kyoto. You can keep them at coin lockers or storage facilities, or have them delivered directly to your lodgings.
Check the following website to plan your trip without having to worry about carrying around your luggage!
Luggage storage and delivery services
Advance reservations for luggage storage and delivery services
Starting from October 21st, you can make advance reservations for the baggage storage and delivery service on the “Kyoto Smart Navi” or “Kyoto Station Smart Navi” websites. By using it, you can leave your luggage before going sightseeing, or have it delivered to your accommodation the same day. Aside from advance reservations, some counters also allow prepayment by credit card. You can easily pay for the service from your smartphone as well. The websites are available in seven languages and do not require downloading any apps or registration in order to use them.
New information counters at Kyoto Station
Multilingual service counters providing information on public transportation and location of baggage storage and delivery will be set up in Kyoto Station. Additionally, more staff members will be deployed inside and outside of Kyoto Station to provide guidance and directions depending on the crowding levels.
Location: Kyoto Station Building, Station Square (in front of the central ticket gate)
Dates: November 22nd (Sat) – 24th (Mon, holiday), 29th (Sat), 30th (Sun), December 6th (Sat) and 7th (Sun)
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (information desk), 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (luggage storage), 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (same-day luggage delivery)
3. Garbage disposal
Where to dispose of garbage
Though there are public trash cans you can use while in Kyoto, finding one in your nearest vicinity might be difficult. You might have to take your garbage back to your accommodation to dispose of it, so carrying around a trash bag just in case is recommended.
*When buying take-out, return the trash generated from it back to the restaurant or stall you got it from.
Combating litter in tourist areas
The Arashiyama area
1. Edible spoons
Several stores in the Arashiyama Shopping District will be utilizing “edible spoons” made from monaka (a type of wafer made of rice flour) and other ingredients alongside the ice cream or other treats they serve. This will provide visitors with a fun and useful treat while reducing local waste.
Available period: Throughout November (1 month)
*Will end once supplies run out.
2. Skewer bins
In order to lessen the issue of littering associated with takeout skewers and improve the safety of workers during collection, dedicated skewer bins will be installed on a trial basis in smart trash cans. Please make use of the new designated bins to dispose of your skewers and help keep the area beautiful.
Location: The Bamboo Grove Path, and three spots alongside Nagatsuji-dori street. *Skewer bins will also be available on the street trash cans at Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and Inari Children’s Park.
Available period: Throughout November (1 month)
3. Commemorative protective charm
Customers who returned the leftover garbage from the food they bought back to the stores they got it from will be given handmade protective charms as a commemorative gift.
Period: Throughout November (1 month)
*Will end once the supplies run out.
The Gion area
1. Additional garbage bins in Gion Shopping Street
Starting November 1st, common garbage bins will be placed in over 20 stores located on the Gion Shopping Street. Customers can use them to dispose of the garbage they gathered from any of the stores.
2. Volunteer cleanup by the Gion Shopping District Promotion Association
Every Wednesday from around 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM, the Gion Seiryu-gumi, a group of volunteers from the Gion Shopping District Promotion Association, will lead a community-wide cleanup, together with Kyoto City officials and other volunteers.
3. Increased collection frequency for smart trash bins
Throughout November, the frequency of garbage collection for smart trash bins installed in the Gion area will be increased from the usual two times a day (morning and afternoon) to three times a day (morning, afternoon and evening). Please make use of the smart trash bins when disposing of your garbage.
4. Enjoying the season to its fullest
Autumn Leaves Calendar
Each year, we release an up-to-date calendar of the current state of autumn foliage. This year’s version is scheduled to release on October 31st and keep updating until December 12th. Please make use of it during the autumn season to see which area is worth visiting.
Autumn illumination events
Photo of To-ji Temple’s autumn illumination event
In order to make the most of the beautiful autumn leaves, many temples, shrines and gardens organize special illumination and opening events between October and December. See the page linked below to view the full list for 2025.
Festivals and events
Photo from Kamishichiken’s geiko and maiko district performance of “Kotobuki-kai”
Autumn is the season when many traditional festivals and exciting events take place in Kyoto. Check our “Festivals & Events” page and the “Events in Kyoto” brochure for an overview of the recommended upcoming events.
