Trains, Kyoto

There are a couple of ways to go to Kyoto from KIX. There's the Limousine Bus, the taxi and our recommended choice --- Haruka airport express which is 75 mins and costs normally at 2980 for unreserved seats. Limousine Bus is cheaper at 2300 yen but time is longer, around 2 hours. However, you can actually purchase a one-day Kansai Area Pass by JR-West and you can use this for the Haruka airport express and guess how much it costs? 2000! So overall speaking, this is the best deal because it's not only cheaper, it's also the fastest! You can get the ticket from the station itself which is right outside the arrival section of domestic flights. Earliest departure from KIX is 6:29 am and latest is at 10:18 pm.

The Kansai Thru Pass is an excellent way to get around Kansai region on the cheap. This pass, available at the travel counter in the arrivals halls of KIX and at th emain bus information center in front of Kyoto Station, allows unlimited travel on all bus and train lines in Kansai except the JR. It also entitles you to some discounts in some attractions within Kansai. Two-Day passes cost 3800 yen and a 3-Day one costs 5000 yen. These passes are only offered to visitors and you have to show your passport upon purchase. Note: it doesn't cover some lines, like buses in Nara. We used it when we did city hopping --- Kyoto-Nara-Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto in one day!

JR Railways is the most convenient way to get into Kyoto, as Kyoto Station is on the JR Line and a Shinkansen stop.

But depending on where you want to go, it may also be a convenient way to get around!

From Kyoto Station, JR trains travel through Kyoto southward and through the west. Some of the stops and sites they are near are as follows:
Traveling West:
- Kyoto Station (Kyoto Tower, Toji Temple, Higashi Honganji Temple, Nishi Honganji Temple, Shosei-en Garden)
- Nijo Station (Nijo Castle)
- Hanazono Station (Toei Movie Village, Myoshinji Temple)
- JR Saga Arashiyama Station (takes you to the Arashiyama area, where you can walk to many of the sites, like Tenryuji Temple and the bamboo grove)

Traveling Southeast:
- Tofukuji Station (Tofukuji Temple and all of its subtemples)
- Inari Station (Fushimi Inari Shrine)
- Momoyama Station (Fushimi Momoyama Castle, Gokonomiya Shrine, Gekkeikan Sake Museum, Sake Breweries, Teradaya)

Traveling Southwest:
- Mukomachi Station (will take you as close to Oharano Shrine, Shoboji, Shojiji, Konzonji, Yoshimine-dera, Sankoji, and Jurinji as it can get, but they are still far enough that it is best to take a bus from here)
- Nagaoka-kyo Station (Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine)

Hankyu Railway has its terminus at Kawaramachi Station in Eastern Kyoto but is best for travel in Southwestern Kyoto. Most visitors won't use this line in Kyoto, but it does connect Kyoto to Umeda in Osaka and Sannomiya in Kobe and will be useful for those going to Katsura Imperial Villa.

Here are Hankyu Stations in Kyoto with sites that are nearby:
- Kawaramachi Station (Gion, Pontocho)
- Omiya Station (Nijo Castle)
- Katsura Station (Katsura Imperial Villa)
- Matsuo Station (Matsuo Shrine, Umenomiya Shrine, Suzumushi-dera, Koke-dera)
- Arashiyama Station (Horinji Temple, Monkey Park, Togetsukyo Bridge)
- Higashi-Muko Station (will take you as close to Oharano Shrine, Shoboji, Shojiji, and Konzonji as any station can get, but they are still far enough that it is best to take a bus from here)
- Nishi-Muko Station (will take you as close to Yoshimine-dera, Sankoji, and Jurinji as a train can get, but they are still far enough that it is best to take a bus from here)
- Nagaoka Tenjin Station (Nagaoka Tenmangu Shrine)

If you are travelling anywhere in Eastern Kyoto, you may save some money by using the Keihan Railway. If travelling from Osaka, the easiest way to access Keihan Railways may be from Kyobashi (located in the Osaka Loop), although there are many stops in other areas, such as Naniwabashi, Nakanoshima, and Temmabashi.

The cost is relatively that same as travelling from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station via JR Lines however, if you go to Kyoto Station, it is likely that you will then take a bus. By using Keihan Railways, you can access many of Kyoto's sights right from the station. It's particularly useful for anyone wishing to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Along the Keihan Line, these are the stops with nearby locations (from South to North):
Fushimi Momoyama: Momoyama Castle, Gekkeikan Musem, Sake Breweries, Gokonomiya Shrine, Teradaya
Fushimi Inari: Fushimi Inari Shrine
Tofukuji: Tofukuji Temple and subtemples
Shichijo: Sanjuusangen-do, Kyoto National Museum, Myohoin Temple
(Kiyomizu) Gojo: Kiyomizu Temple
Gion Shijo: Gion District, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, Chion-in Temple, Kodaiji Temple, Ryozen Kannon Statue
Jingu Marutamachi: Heian Shrine, Kyoto City Zoo, South Gate of Kyoto Imperial Palace and Park (closer to Sento/Sendo Palace)
Demachiyanagi: Shimogamo Shrine, Chionji Temple, North Side of Kyoto Imperial Palace and Park (closer to Kyoto Imperial Palace)

Convenient Transfer Locations:
From Demachiyanagi, you can transfer to Demachiyanagi (Eizan Railway) to visit Shugakuin Imperial Villa and the Kurama area.

From Sanjo, you can transfer to the Tozai Line to access Otsu City (Ishiyama Temple, Hiyoshi Shrine, Miidera Temple, Lake Biwa, Mount Hiei)

From Chushojima, you can transfer to the Uji Line to see the Byodoin Temple, Ujigami Shrine, Mampukuji Temple, and Tale of Genji Museum. You can also use the Uji Line to access Daigoji Temple by getting off at Rokujizo Station and taking Rokujizo Subway or the bus.

From Tambabashi, you can transfer to the Kintetsu Line to go to Toji (for Toji Temple) or Kyoto Station.

For travel in Eastern Kyoto and nearby cities, Keihan Railways is quite convenient, as well as affordable!

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As mentioned in other VT pages, you could avail of the Japan Rail (JR) pass that's valid for the entire country up to 7, 14 or 21 days. However, if you intend to go around the Kansai area only (which includes Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji and Kansai airport) then just purchase the JR West pass. The available tickets are valid for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days.

To get one, one should buy an exchange order from a sales outlet in your country as listed in the JR website below. Upon arrival in Japan, go to the JR office in the main city station and present the exchange order (see photo), your passport with the airport stamp in it (see photo) and a filled-up application form available for download (PDF file) in the JR website.

You will then be given the actual JR pass which you show to a JR person guarding the turnstiles for you to get to your track or platform number.

The easiest way to get to and from Kyoto is by train. The train station is just by the city center and it is fast connection to Tokyo, Osaka and Osaka Kansai international airport. By no means, if your main destination in Japan is Kyoto, fly to Osaka, not to Tokyo as it is much closer.

The Kintetsu train is the way to go in Kyoto. You can travel to distances in a very quick time. It is the most convenient way to travel. The passengers (Japanese) are very polite, not rawdy, and very pleasant.