The subway is very modern and convenient. Having a sightseeing day pass let you go all over town very quickly and visit the different landmarks scatered around town. Otherwise, you will always have to calculate the fare.
Cards are available for 1 or 2 days and give unlimited access to bus and subway
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Kyoto has two subway lines: the Karasuma Line and the Tozai Line. The Karasuma Line travels from north to south and the Tozai Line travels from west to east. The meet at Karasuma Oike Station, where you can transfer from one line to the other if you need.
The Karasuma Line is the one you will use if you get on at Kyoto Station. Here are some stops with nearby attractions along the Karasuma Line (from south to north):
- Takeda Station (Jonangu Shrine)
- Kyoto Station (Kyoto Tower, Toji Temple, Higashi Honganji Temple)
- Marutamachi Station (southern entrance to Kyoto Imperial Park)
- Imadegawa Station (northern entrance to Kyoto Imperial Park)
- Kurama-guchi Station (Shokokuji Temple, Hokyoji Temple)
- Kitayama Station (Kyoto Botanical Garden)
The Tozai Line can actually take you to Otsu city or down to the Daigo area. The following are its stations with nearby destinations (from west to east):
- Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station (Koruji Temple, Toei Movie Village)
- Nijo-mae Station (Nijo Castle)
- Sanjo Keihan Station (Pontocho, Nishiki Market, Gion)
- Higashiyama Station (Shoren-in Temple, Chion-in Temple, Maruyama Park)
- Keage Station (Murinan Garden, Nanzenji Temple)
- Ono Station (Kajuji Temple, Zuishin-in Temple)
- Daigo Station (Daigoji Temple)
The line bound for Rokujizo Station will take you through the Daigo region. To get to Otsu, you'll want to instead be on the subway bound for Hamaotsu Station.
Written Nov 6, 2010
Sanzen-in temple in Ohara is one of the best places to visit during the autumn foliage season. However, the prolonged bus ride(well over an hour) from Kyoto station to this northern outskirts of town is very tiring. So we recommend the following way to get there.
#1. Buy Kyoto Sightseeing Card, either one-day or two-day card(1200¥ and 2000¥, respectively). This is a real must for your trip to Ohara.
#2. Then take the subway Karasuma line, and get off at Kokusai kaikan(int'l conference hall) station.
#3. Ascending to the ground is a bus terminal, where you will find the Kyoto Bus(not "Kyoto City Bus"). Take #19 bus, and you will arrive at Ohara in about 25 mins.
This is much easier, faster and more economical choice. If you take the slow-moving Kyoto Bus, the one-way fare from Kyoto station is 580 yen. This is not reasonable.
Updated Apr 26, 2009
Website: http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
Easy and convenient. Kyoto metro is not as complicated as Tokyo subways. Interesting fact about Kyoto downtown metro mainly station named follow by the district area.
Mean its quite easy to navigate and knowing the area that you want to go.
It's simple! Example Shijo Station (two stops from Kyoto Main Station)
SHI - Four or 4
JO - District
Most station in Kyoto named as downtown district number
Though you dont speak Japanese, you can alway refer to Romaji or romanize character getting to know which station you are going and we all know alway Japanese are very polite and will always help whenever you need. Always bring a guide book
Fares is between JPY200-300
Written Nov 29, 2007
Kyoto is not a huge town- at least not like Tokyo etc, so getting around isnt such a big deal. The subway connects most parts... besides there are busses and taxis plying. You can also hire bicycles for the day...
Updated Dec 20, 2006
The Kyoto subway is a fast and efficient way to quickly get from one point to another. Though the line is limited, I combined it with the bus to get to way I want in shorter time and less hassle.
There is a north-south line and east-west line. Just remember the station number you want to get off. The Japanese names are fun but can all seem similar. "Zannen desune".
Recommend, take the subway to the furthest location and work your way back by bus.
Fare: 210-340 yen for adult, 110-170 yen for children.
Updated Sep 11, 2006
Another convenient way of travelling within Kyoto is of course the use of the efficient subway network. Subway travel is more expensive than the bus though.
There are two subway lines in Kyoto, the Karasuma Line which runs from south to north along Karasumadori ("Karasuma Street") and stops at JR Kyoto Station, and the newer Tozai Line which runs from east to west and crosses the Karasuma Line at the intersection of Karasumadori and Oikedori.
FEE : Adults 200 Yen -320 Yen,Children 100 Yen - 160 Yen
Updated May 31, 2004
Website: http://www.city.kyoto.jp/kotsu/
Kyoto also has a subway, convenient to use. Tickets are sold by a ticket vendingmachine. Prices start at 200 Yen. Above the machines are maps with prices at all stations. The downside is there are only two lines.
From north to south the Karasuma line and from east to west the Tozai line.
Updated Aug 7, 2003
Website: http://www.metropla.net/as/kyot/kyoto.htm
The subway. The Karasuma Line runs through the heart of the city and tourist use it mainly from Kyoto Station. It takes only about 1-2 minutes to get from one stop to the next. The cost depends on how many stops you go, about 230Yen.
Written Aug 26, 2002
Kyoto has also small Subway system of only two lines that connecting few of the main stations in and around this city. This can be very useful if you happened to be by one of the stops.
Written Feb 9, 2010
Website: http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/subway.html
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Kyoto has also small Subway system of only two lines that connecting few of the main stations in and around this city. This can be very useful if you happened...
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