Here's a quick comparison of how the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus differs from regular Kyoto City buses.

Details for each are explained below.

The buses currently operate on the two routes explained below.

With fewer stops than regular city buses, the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus reaches popular sightseeing spots faster, which is perfect for those exploring Kyoto on a tight schedule.

With the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus, you can reach the Gojozaka Bus Stop, the closest bus stop to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, from Kyoto Station in about 10 minutes—around 5 minutes faster than regular city buses. Similarly, you'll arrive at Gion, Yasaka Shrine, and Heian Jingu Shrine much quicker, even shaving about 20 minutes off the travel time to Ginkaku-ji Temple.

The Sightseeing Limited Express Bus is a fast and convenient option, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, these buses don't operate on weekdays. Service is limited to Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays listed on the bus schedule, as well as the Obon period (August 13–16) and the year-end holiday period (usually the first days of January).

According to the Kyoto City Transportation Bureau, there is high demand for the bus to run on weekdays as well, but for the moment, the bus only runs on weekends and holidays as more drivers and vehicles are available on those days.

In Kyoto, for most city buses, riders board through the rear door and exit from the front, paying upon exit. However, the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus is different.

Passengers board through the front door and exit through the rear, and fares are paid in advance. If you're unfamiliar with this boarding style, refer to the guide below for more information.

The fare for Kyoto's regular city buses (within the flat-rate fare zone) is 230 yen for adults, 120 yen for children, and free for infants. However, the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus has different rates: 500 yen per ride for adults, 250 yen for children, and free for infants. Payment can be made by cash or transportation IC card.
(*Adults (12 and older), children (6 to 12), infants (under 6))

A round-trip on the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus costs 1,000 yen for adults. However, you can also use The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass offered by the Kyoto City Transportation Bureau, which costs just 1,100 yen for adults and 550 yen for children, an incredible value. Plus, by presenting this pass at certain locations, you can also receive deals at around 60 attractions throughout Kyoto, including temples and shrines.

The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass is available at dedicated ticket machines located at places like Kyoto Station, city bus/subway information counters, commuter ticket sales offices, and subway station ticket windows. Be sure to pick one up at the start of your trip!

To distinguish the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus from regular city buses, check the front of the vehicle. The Sightseeing Limited Express Bus will display "観光特急バス (Ltd Exp.： Sightseeing Limited Express Bus)", "EX100", or "EX101" on the front.

Exit the JR Kyoto Station Central Gate and head to the bus terminal directly in front of you. The Sightseeing Limited Express Bus departs from platform D1, located to the right.

In the morning, the buses run every 7 to 8 minutes, meaning there's a constant flow of buses to board. The current timetable as of November 2024 is provided below. You can access Kiyomizu-dera Temple by taking either the EX100 or EX101.

Kyoto Station → Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, Ginkaku-ji Temple

Kiyomizu Temple, Gion, Ginkaku-ji Temple → Kyoto Station

To visit the popular Kiyomizu-dera Temple, get off at the Gojozaka Bus Stop. The EX100 and EX101 buses follow different routes, so the stops before and after Gojozaka will be different. A map outlining the bus stops around Kiyomizu-dera Temple is provided for reference, but if you're still unsure, we recommend checking a map app for further guidance.

On weekdays, when the Sightseeing Limited Express Bus is not operating, we recommend combining the subway and bus for the most convenient journey to your destination. Here's how to get to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Heian Jingu Shrine, and Ginkaku-ji Temple.

Kyoto is a world-renowned tourist destination packed with visitors, and due to traffic congestion, buses may not run on schedule. As a result, you may not arrive at your destination when you expected, even if you planned based on online schedules.

Additionally, buses are much smaller than trains and tend to fill to capacity quickly. You might not even be able to board several buses in a row as they fill up. This is especially common during cherry blossom, autumn foliage, and festival seasons.

It's quite a pain to have to wait for several buses to come and go under the scorching sun or out in cold weather. By combining the subway and bus, you can avoid all these issues. For more details, please refer to the article below.