City buses will start running according to a new schedule from June 1, 2024. The frequency of buses currently in service will be increased and new buses around areas that are popular sightseeing spots will be established!
Click here for the special website on city buses and limited express buses that are convenient for sightseeing! (Kyoto City Transportation Bureau)
There are four upcoming changes in Kyoto’s bus service that will be particularly useful for sightseeing visitors!
Use both trains and buses for comfortable travel without crowds.
Please take advantage of the convenient Subway and Bus 1-day Pass while sightseeing.
You can find the optimal access guide to major tourist attractions here!
In this article
- 1. Increase in frequency of buses going through the city center, which are boarded often by locals and tourists alike.
- 2. Increased frequency of buses convenient for sightseeing, running between Kinkakuji/Ginkakuji and their respective subway stations.
- 3. Kyoto City Limited Express Buses to Higashiyama area will be introduced (on Saturdays, Sundays & holidays).
- 4. Other Kyoto City Buses of “Rakuraku Line” that stop at sightseeing spots will also begin a year-round service.
1. Increase in frequency of buses going through the city center, which are boarded often by locals and tourists alike.
- Loop buses
Buses number: 201, 203, 205, 206, 207
- Main line buses
Buses number: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 46
2. Increased frequency of buses convenient for sightseeing, running between Kinkakuji/Ginkakuji and their respective subway stations.
Additions to the buses running from Kitaoji and Imadegawa Subway Stations:
- Newly introduced Kyoto City Bus number 102 Rakuraku Kinkakuji/Ginkakuji Line (Saturdays, Sundays & holidays only).
- Increased frequency of Kyoto City Buses number 203 (running from Subway Imadegawa Station to Ginkakuji Temple).
- Increased frequency of Kyoto City Buses number 205 (running from Subway Kitaoji Station and Kitaoji Bus Terminal to Kinkakuji Temple).
Please take advantage of the convenient Subway and Bus 1-day Pass while sightseeing.
3. Kyoto City Limited Express Buses to Higashiyama area will be introduced (on Saturdays, Sundays & holidays).
Kyoto City Limited Express Bus “Rakuraku Line”
EX100 Kyoto City Limited Express Bus Rakuraku Kiyomizu-dera/Gion/Ginkaku-ji Line (Saturdays, Sundays & holidays only):
- Kyoto Station → Gojozaka (Kiyomizu-dera Temple) → Gion → Heian-jingu Shrine → Ginkakuji-mae (Ginkakuji Temple)
EX101 Kyoto City Limited Express Bus Rakuraku Kiyomizu-dera Line (Saturdays, Sundays & holidays):
- Kyoto Station → Gojozaka (Kiyomizu-dera Temple)
*The number of stops made during the bus ride will be limited in order to improve the fast and direct access to popular tourist destinations.
Fares
- Bus can be boarded from the front entrance and exited from the door in the middle; fare is to be paid in advance at the fare box located by the driver’s seat.
- Fare: Adults 500 yen, children 250 yen
- Cash, IC cards (PiTaPa, ICOCA, Suica, etc.) are accepted in addition to the subway and bus 1-day pass.
- Commuter passes, bus coupon tickets, Keiro Pass, and welfare cards are not accepted.
Major bus stops
4. Other Kyoto City Buses of “Rakuraku Line” that stop at sightseeing spots will also begin a year-round service.
Higashiyama area, local buses
Bus Number 105 Rakuraku Okazaki/Ginkakuji Line (year-round, weekends and holidays):
- Kyoto Station → Kawaramachi-Gojo → Shijo-Kawaramachi → Sanjo Keihan → Okazaki Koen Bijutsukan / Heian Jingu-mae → Ginkakuji-mae
Bus Number 106 Rakuraku Higashiyama Line (year-round):
- Kyoto Station → Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae → Higashiyama Shichijo → Gojozaka (Kiyomizu-dera Temple) → Kiyomizu-michi → Gion → Sanjo Keihan
Development of transportation routes that combine subways and other railway systems
Kyoto City Bus Number 102 Rakuraku Kinkakuji/Ginkakuji Line (newly established: year-round on Saturdays, Sundays & holidays):
- Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) → Kinkakuji-michi (Kinkakuji Temple Road) → Kitano Hakubai-cho → Kitano Tenmangu-mae (Kitano-tenmangu Shrine) → Karasuma Imadegawa (Subway Imadegawa Station) → Demachiyanagi Eki mae → Ginkakuji-michi (Ginkakuji Temple) → Kinrin Shako-mae
Kyoto City Bus Number 109 Rakuraku Kinkakuji/Arashiyama Line (available only during peak season which falls on Golden Week (Apr 29 ~ May 5) and autumn):
- Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) → Kinkakuji-michi (Kinkakuji Temple) → Ryoanji-mae (Ryoanji Temple) → Omuro Ninnaji (Omuro Ninnaji Temple) → Daikakuji (Daikakuji Temple) → Arashiyama
Fares
- Fare: Adults 230 yen, children 120 yen.
- In addition to the subway and bus 1-day pass, IC cards (PiTaPa, ICOCA, Suica, etc.) are also accepted.
Please take advantage of the convenient Subway and Bus 1-day Pass while sightseeing.
Click here to enlarge the picture.
Please visit this page for more information:
Official page of Kyoto City Transportation Bureau
