Kyoto City is promoting "hands-free sightseeing" to encourage visitors to leave luggage at their accommodation before fully beginning their trip.

A new "HANDS FREE BUS" has been introduced this autumn. It starts its course in Kyoto Station and then travels around the city center, stopping nearby a number of accommodations along its route. This allows passengers to travel to their place of stay without needing to find and fit into public transportation while carrying large pieces of luggage.

Make use of the "HANDS FREE BUS" after your arrival to help everyone access the public transportation comfortably!


Front view of the HANDS FREE BUS

Bus stops:

① Kyoto Station Karasuma Exit (Sightseeing "OKOSHI" Bus stop)

② Kyoto Tokyu Hotel (Horikawa Gojo Bus stop)

③ Shijo Horikawa (City Bus Stop, D Stop)

④ ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kyoto (in front of Nijo-jo Castle)

⑤ Karasuma Oike (City Bus Stop, B Stop)

⑥ Shijo Karasuma (Sky Hop Bus / City Bus Stop)

* Operating time from ① to ⑥ is approximately 40 minutes

Please click on the link below for further information:
https://hands-free-bus.kyoto.travel/

How to use it:

Before boarding, staff members will ask you which stop you would like to get off on and if you need a one-way or two-way ticket.

Then, they will take your luggage and give you a number card. Keep it with you until you get off to retrieve your baggage.



To board the bus, enter the door to the front of the bus from its left side. 



You can pay the bus fare by cash or an IC card. To use an IC card hold it over the card reader located next to the entrance before entering and once again before getting off. 



To pay with cash, put the necessary amount into the fare box located next to the driver before leaving the bus. 

Fare:

One-way ticket: 500 yen
(Elementary school children: 250 yen)

Round ticket: 800 yen
(Elementary school children: 400 yen)

Safe travels!