If your image of getting around Kyoto is still based on the idea that a single 500-yen bus pass lets you go everywhere, it is time for a serious update in 2026.

In the past, Kyoto City buses were a budget-friendly favorite for visitors. However, with the surge in tourism, overtourism has pushed the bus system to its limits. At the bus terminal in front of Kyoto Station, it is now common to see lines wrapping around multiple times. Add Kyoto’s narrow city streets and frequent traffic jams, and buses often move at a crawl. Even short distances that look easy on a map can end up taking twice as long by bus.

More importantly, the Kyoto city government has introduced strict new rules to ease congestion. Large luggage is no longer allowed on Kyoto City buses. If you are traveling with a suitcase larger than 20 inches and try to board a bus to your hotel, the driver has the right to refuse entry.

That is why the new rule for visiting Kyoto in 2026 is simple: take the train whenever possible, and only switch to other transport when rail lines cannot get you there. By making smart use of Kyoto’s seven major rail systems, which are unaffected by road traffic, and combining them with short walks or quick taxi rides, you can explore the city in a smoother, more efficient, and far more pleasant way.

Kyoto’s rail network is run by multiple companies, and many lines are not directly connected. This is often the most confusing part for first-time visitors. The good news is that you do not need to memorize every route map. You just need to match your destination with the best transport option.

Below are recommended first-choice routes for major sights, all designed to help you avoid bus traffic.

Best choice: JR Sagano Line. It is the fastest option from Kyoto Station at about 16 minutes and is not affected by road congestion.
Alternatives: Hankyu Railway or Randen. Stay near Shijo Kawaramachi and Hankyu is convenient. Want a nostalgic streetcar experience? Choose Randen.
Warning: Do not take the bus to Arashiyama. During peak seasons, buses can be stuck in traffic for a very long time.

Best choice: JR Nara Line or Keihan Railway. Both JR Inari Station and Keihan Fushimi-Inari Station are right by the shrine entrance, making access extremely easy.

Best choice: Keihan Railway plus a short taxi ride or walk. Get off at Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, then take a taxi for around 1,000 yen up the hill, or walk uphill for about 20 minutes.
Warning: Taking Bus No. 206 directly from Kyoto Station is widely considered the worst option, with extremely long lines.

Best choice: Subway plus a short bus or taxi ride. This is one of the few major sights not directly accessible by rail. Take the subway to Kitaoji Station, then transfer to a short bus ride or taxi to avoid congested central roads.

Best choice: Eizan Railway. This is the only rail line serving the area and is famous for its scenic routes, including the maple tunnel in autumn.

Best choice: Kintetsu Railway. Kintetsu Nara Station is much closer to Todaiji Temple and the deer area than the JR station, saving a significant amount of walking time.

Kyoto City Subway has a very simple network made up of just two lines that form a cross shape. This makes it the core transport system for getting around central Kyoto. Its biggest advantages are punctuality, frequent service, and the fact that it is completely unaffected by road traffic.

JR operates Japan’s largest rail network. Within Kyoto city, its role is best described as a fast way to reach outer areas and nearby cities. If you have a JR Pass for the Kansai area, rides on the lines below are included.

Kyoto’s private railway network is extensive and extremely useful for sightseeing. With the exception of Kintetsu Railway, most private lines do not pass through Kyoto Station. Instead, they connect directly to major shopping districts and popular sightseeing areas.

In many cases, using a private railway is more convenient than taking JR lines or the subway, especially when your destination lies outside the city’s central transport hubs.

Hankyu Railway is the only privately owned railway that directly connects Kawaramachi in Kyoto, Umeda in Osaka, and Kobe-Sannomiya in Kobe. Because it links these three major urban centers so seamlessly, Hankyu plays a key role in travel across the Kansai region, especially for sightseeing and shopping.

Hankyu operates an extensive network made up of nine lines, including the Kyoto Line, Takarazuka Line, Kobe Line, Arashiyama Line, Senri Line, Minoo Line, Itami Line, and Imazu Line. Among these, the Kyoto Line and Kobe Line are particularly popular with visitors, as they serve many of the region’s most convenient and lively areas.

For travelers heading from Kawaramachi in Kyoto to Umeda in Osaka, the Kyoto Line limited express is the best option, covering the route in about 45 minutes. If your destination is Kobe-Sannomiya, you can transfer at Juso Station from the Kyoto Line limited express to the Kobe Line limited express. The full journey takes roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes, making cross-city travel smooth and efficient.

Travel tip: If you plan to move frequently between Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, the Hankyu Tourist Pass is worth considering. It offers unlimited rides on Hankyu lines for a set period, allowing you to explore major sights across the region without worrying about individual fares.

Keihan Electric Railway connects Kyoto and Osaka, with its name derived from “Kei” for Kyoto and “Han” for Osaka. The network includes several lines such as the Keihan Main Line, Uji Line, Katano Line, and Keishin Line, but the routes most useful for sightseeing are the Keihan Main Line and the Uji Line.

The Keihan Main Line is especially convenient for traveling between Kyoto and Osaka, while the Uji Line makes it easy to visit Byodoin Temple in Uji. On the Kyoto side, the main terminus is Demachiyanagi Station. On the Osaka side, trains run to Yodoyabashi Station and Nakanoshima Station. Taking a limited express train between Demachiyanagi in Kyoto and Yodoyabashi in Osaka takes about 55 minutes, making Keihan a practical and reliable option for intercity travel.

Kintetsu Railway operates the longest private railway network in Japan, spanning Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, and Aichi. For sightseeing, the two most useful routes are the Kintetsu Kyoto Line, which connects Kyoto Station with Yamato-Saidaiji Station in Nara City, and the Kintetsu Nara Line, which runs from Osaka-Namba Station to Kintetsu-Nara Station.

The Kintetsu Kyoto Line is especially convenient for travelers heading from Kyoto to Nara, with several notable sights along the way. Highlights include Fushimi-Momoyama Castle near Kintetsu-Tambabashi Station, as well as Amida-ji and Gokuraku-ji temples near Tonomosho Station. With stations located closer to major attractions than many JR stops, Kintetsu lines are often the most efficient choice for exploring Nara and its surrounding areas.

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Best for: Travelers visiting Kifune Shrine, Kurama-dera, or Mount Hiei.

Key highlight: A must-ride during the autumn foliage season. The train passes through a famous maple tunnel, where tracks are surrounded by brilliant red and orange leaves, creating one of Kyoto’s most scenic rail journeys.

Transfer tip: The starting station for Eizan Railway is Demachiyanagi Station. You will need to take the Keihan Railway to Demachiyanagi first, then transfer to the Eizan Main Line or Kurama Line to reach your destination.

Randen is Kyoto’s only remaining streetcar system, officially operated by Keifuku Electric Railroad. It is a great option for travelers who want a nostalgic experience, or those moving between the Kinkakuji and Ryoanji area and Arashiyama.

Running with compact one- or two-car trains directly along city streets, Randen offers a slower, old-fashioned ride that feels very different from subways or JR trains. It is one of the most charming ways to see everyday Kyoto pass by at ground level.

At Arashiyama Station, you will also find a well-known foot bath on the platform, where you can soak your feet while waiting for the next train, a small but memorable Kyoto-style touch.

Most visitors use the Arashiyama Line to reach Arashiyama itself, but there is a lesser-known route that truly shines during cherry blossom season. By transferring at Uzumasa-Koryuji Station to the Kitano Line, you can explore some excellent seasonal sights.

The Kitano Line runs from Uzumasa-Koryuji to Kitano-Hakubaicho. Highlights include the cherry blossom tunnel between Narutaki and Utano, where the tram passes through trees in full bloom in spring. The line also provides easy access to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, famous for plum blossoms and prayers for academic success, as well as Ryoanji Temple, known worldwide for its Zen rock garden.

Keifuku Electric Railroad Route Map (Arashiyama Line and Kitano Line)

If you are planning to visit Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, or the famous boat houses of Ine, this railway is essential. Located in northern Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto Tango Railway operates three exceptionally scenic lines.

The Miyafuku Line connects Fukuchiyama and Miyazu. This is the key route used by limited express trains such as the Hashidate service from Kyoto Station to Amanohashidate.

The Miyatoyo Line runs between Miyazu and Toyooka. When heading to Amanohashidate, this is the line you will ride after reaching Miyazu.

The Miyamai Line links Nishi-Maizuru and Miyazu. It follows the coastline of Wakasa Bay and offers especially dramatic sea views. This is also where the popular sightseeing trains, the Kuro-Matsu and Aka-Matsu, operate.

Key tip: If you hold a JR Kansai Wide Area Pass, you can ride the Kyoto Tango Railway at no additional cost. This makes it one of the best-value ways to explore Kyoto’s northern coast and enjoy some of the region’s most beautiful scenery.

Many station names in Kyoto sound similar, but their actual locations can be far apart. To avoid meeting at the wrong place or wasting time walking in the wrong direction, watch out for these three common traps.

Trap 1: “Kyoto Station” Is Not Universal
・Reality: Hankyu Railway does not have a station called Kyoto Station.
・What happens: Many first-time visitors buy a Hankyu day pass and plan to head to Kyoto Station to catch the Shinkansen, only to realize the train does not go there. Hankyu’s main terminal in Kyoto is Kyoto-Kawaramachi. To get from Hankyu to Kyoto Station, get off at Karasuma Station and transfer to the Karasuma Subway Line.

Trap 2: The Three “Arashiyama Stations”
・Reality: There are three different Arashiyama stations in Kyoto, operated by JR, Hankyu, and Randen, and they are all in different locations.

1. JR Saga-Arashiyama Station: Closest to the scenic train and the bamboo grove.
2. Randen Arashiyama Station: Located in the heart of the shopping area and closest to Tenryuji Temple.
3. Hankyu Arashiyama Station: On the opposite side of the river. You need to cross Togetsukyo Bridge to reach the main sightseeing area.

・Tip: When meeting someone, always specify which railway company’s Arashiyama Station you mean.

Trap 3: “Gojo” or “Kiyomizu-Gojo”?
・Reality: Gojo Station on the subway and Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on the Keihan Line are about a 15-minute walk apart.
・What happens: If you are heading to Kiyomizudera, take the Keihan Line to Kiyomizu-Gojo. If you get off at Gojo Station on the subway, you can still walk there, but it will take significantly longer.

In 2026, with the simple “bus-only day pass” now a thing of the past, choosing tickets in Kyoto has actually become much easier.

Recommended: Subway and Bus 1-Day Pass
・Price: 1,100 yen for adults. Price subject to official updates.
・Coverage: All Kyoto City Subway lines, Kyoto City Bus, Kyoto Bus, and selected Keihan Bus routes.
・Best time to buy: This pass is a great deal if your accommodation is not close to a subway station, or if you expect to transfer between subway and bus more than three times in one day. It lets you use the subway to bypass traffic-heavy areas, then switch to buses for last-mile access to sights.

Most flexible option: IC card (ICOCA or Suica)
・Strategy: One card, total freedom.
・Why it works: Kyoto has too many different railway companies to easily break even on a single operator’s pass unless you ride the same line repeatedly in one day. With an IC card, you simply tap and ride whatever comes first, whether it is a private railway, JR train, subway, or bus. It is the most stress-free and flexible way to get around. Do not lock yourself into one route just to save a few hundred yen.

Kyoto’s beauty lies in its relaxed pace, but not in moving slowly because you are stuck on a crowded bus.

Under the new travel reality in Kyoto in 2026, learning to break the habit of relying on buses makes a real difference. By combining the speed of JR lines, the reliability of the subway, and the convenience of private railways, you can experience a version of Kyoto that feels calmer, smoother, and far more refined.

On your next visit to places like Kiyomizudera or Arashiyama, use this guide to choose the smartest transport options. Avoid the crowds, move with intention, and enjoy the timeless atmosphere of Japan’s former capital the way it was meant to be experienced.

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