Kyoto, Japan: A Complete Guide to Getting Around
Kyoto is the kind of city that stops you in your tracks — whether it's a geisha slipping through a lantern-lit alleyway in Gion or the sight of a thousand vermilion torii gates climbing a forested hillside. Japan's ancient imperial capital packs over 1,600 Buddhist temples, hundreds of Shinto shrines, and some of the country's most breathtaking seasonal scenery into a city that is surprisingly easy to navigate. Here's everything you need to know before you go.
Overview
Kyoto served as Japan's capital for more than a millennium and today stands as the cultural heartbeat of the country. Unlike Tokyo's relentless pace, Kyoto moves with a quieter elegance — its streets lined with preserved machiya townhouses, its hillsides dotted with pagodas, and its neighbourhoods each carrying a distinct character. Arashiyama in the west offers bamboo groves and riverside tranquillity, while Higashiyama in the east is a beautifully preserved historic district perfect for slow, wandering afternoons. The city draws visitors year-round, but cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) and autumn foliage season (November) are genuinely magical — and genuinely crowded. Travelling in June, early July, or late January gives you a more relaxed experience at lower prices.
Essential Information
- Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY). Expect to pay roughly $1 USD = 145–155 JPY depending on current exchange rates. Cash is still widely used, so carry yen with you.
- Language: Japanese. English signage is common in tourist areas, and Google Translate's camera function is invaluable for menus and signs.
- Time Zone: Japan Standard Time (JST), UTC+9. Japan does not observe daylight saving time.
- Visas: Citizens of the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and most EU countries can enter Japan visa-free for up to 90 days.
- Tap Water: Completely safe to drink throughout Japan.
- Tipping: Not expected or practised in Japan. Leaving a tip can actually cause confusion or offence.
Practical Tips
- Get an IC Card: Pick up an ICOCA card (Kyoto's local transit card) at Kyoto Station for around $5 USD deposit. You can top it up and use it on buses, subways, and even at convenience stores.
- Bus vs. Subway: Kyoto's bus network is extensive and covers most sights, but can get heavily congested during peak hours and tourist seasons. The subway is faster for north-south travel along the Karasuma Line. A single bus ride costs about $2.30 USD; a day pass for buses and subways runs around $5.50 USD and pays for itself quickly.
- Rent a Bicycle: Kyoto is wonderfully flat in its central areas. Renting a bike for around $8–12 USD per day is one of the best ways to explore the Fushimi Inari trails, the Philosopher's Path, and the streets of Nishiki Market at your own pace.
- Book Temples in Advance: Some popular spots like Fushimi Inari and Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) need no reservation, but others — including Katsura Imperial Villa and Shugakuin Imperial Villa — require advance booking through the Imperial Household Agency.
- Respect the Quiet: Gion is a working neighbourhood, not a theme park. Photography of geiko (geisha) without permission, loud behaviour, and wandering into private alleyways are frowned upon and increasingly restricted by local ordinances.
Getting There
Most international travellers fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX), located about 75 miles southwest of Kyoto. Kansai handles flights from across North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia, with carriers including Japan Airlines, ANA, United, and Cathay Pacific. From KIX, the fastest connection to Kyoto is the Haruka Express train, which runs directly to Kyoto Station in about 75 minutes and costs around $19–25 USD. The JR Pass covers this route if you've purchased one before entering Japan — an excellent investment for travellers planning to visit multiple cities. Alternatively, budget travellers can take a combination of airport buses and local trains for less, though journey times are considerably longer. Osaka's Itami Airport (ITM) handles domestic connections and is roughly 50 minutes from Kyoto by taxi or limousine bus.
Accommodation Options
Plan your trip to Kyoto
Kyoto has outstanding accommodation at every price point, and where you stay genuinely shapes your experience.
- Budget ($30–70/night): Guesthouses and capsule hotels cluster around Kyoto Station and the Kawaramachi area. K's House Kyoto and Piece Hostel Kyoto are reliable, sociable picks with clean facilities and helpful staff.
- Mid-Range ($100–220/night): Consider a traditional machiya guesthouse for a more immersive stay. The Nishiyama Ryokan near Nijo Castle offers tatami rooms and a Japanese breakfast for around $150 per person. Hotel Granvia, inside Kyoto Station itself, combines convenience with solid comfort.
- Luxury ($300+/night): Aman Kyoto, tucked into a secret garden near Kinkaku-ji, is simply breathtaking. The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto on the banks of the Kamogawa River blends contemporary design with traditional Kyoto aesthetics, and the Suiran Kyoto in Arashiyama