Kyoto Station is a key transportation hub, connecting four major rail systems: the Tokaido Shinkansen, JR Lines, the metro, and the Kintetsu Railway. It's the starting point for journeys to Kyoto City's myriad attractions.

The station is a bustling nexus, frequented daily by a mix of domestic and international tourists. Situated at the heart of this activity is the Kyoto Station Building, a commercial complex that houses a variety of shops offering general goods, alongside a shopping street for those in search of diversity.

The area around the station has seen a rise in accommodations, with more hotels and guesthouses emerging to cater to travelers' needs. Dining options are abundant, with a range of restaurants within and around the station premises.

Given these features, the Kyoto Station area serves as an ideal base for an enjoyable exploration of Kyoto, offering visitors convenience, variety, and accessibility.

Read on for an outline of the public transportation available at Kyoto Station. Please select whichever best suits your destination and travel needs.

This Shinkansen route seamlessly connects Tokyo in the east of Japan to Shin-Osaka in the west, before extending to Hakata via the Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka. Kyoto is conveniently located just one stop before Shin-Osaka when traveling from Tokyo.

This makes the train service exceptionally convenient for those traveling between major cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, and Hakata, simplifying trip planning significantly.

The Shinkansen is renowned as Japan's fastest train service, spanning the greatest distances across the country.

However, it's important to note that seat reservations are necessary, and the cost can be substantially higher than that of regular train services, unless you possess a Japan Rail Pass. For those whose travels are confined to Osaka or other cities within the Kansai region, exploring alternative routes might offer substantial savings.

Various JR lines crisscross Japan, making it a convenient choice for traveling between nearby cities. From these, you can also transfer to JR’s Kyoto, Biwako, Kosei, Sagano, and Nara Lines.

From Kyoto, to get to Osaka, the largest city in Kansai, hop on JR’s Kyoto Line, which will take you to Osaka Station. This is also the line to use whenever you need to head to Kansai International Airport.

Shiga Prefecture, home to Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake, is also easily accessible from Kyoto Station. Take a train on JR’s Biwako Line to Otsu Station. This is also a convenient train route if you plan to explore the outskirts of Kyoto or other places in Kansai.

The Nara Line is especially known for its stations’ proximity to major shrines of interest. For example, to get to Tofuku Temple, which is famous for its beautiful autumn leaves, disembark at Tofukuji Station.

Are you thinking about visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha to see those photogenic Torii temple gates? Simply get off at Inari Station, and you’ll be all set. How about a peaceful outing to Byodo Temple, a building that’s featured on the 10 yen coin? It’s within walking distance from Uji Station!

As for the Sagano Line, dropping off at Saga-Arashiyama Station along this will bring you to Arashiyama, the mountain of beautiful natural sights and a famous bamboo forest.

While buses (explained in more detail below) are convenient for getting around Kyoto, you can also use the subway.

Kyoto Station is serviced by the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, which connects to the JR Underground East Exit for easy transfer.

The Karasuma Subway Line runs north-south through Kyoto City, providing easy access to attractions like the Kyoto Imperial Palace (accessible from Marutamachi Station or Imadegawa Station), where the emperor lived until the Meiji Era, nearly 150 years ago.

You can also check out the Kyoto Botanical Garden (accessible from Kitayama Station), home to nearly 12,000 species of seasonal plants, all without needing to transfer trains.

If you transfer to the Tozai Subway Line at Shijo Station, you can also explore Nijo Castle, a favorite attraction for Japanese history buffs.

Also from Shijo Station, you can transfer to the Hankyu Line (or take a quick 10-minute walk eastward) to the bustling Shijo Kawaramachi area, Kyoto’s busiest shopping district.

From Kyoto Station, you can catch the Kintetsu train to Nara, a great sightseeing spot with lots of historical spots that rival those of Kyoto, such as Nara Park and Todaiji Temple.

The Kintetsu Kyoto Line Central Ticket Gate is located across the west side of the Shinkansen Central Exit. With the Limited Express train, you can get from Kyoto Station to Yamato-Saidaiji Station in about 40 minutes. From there, transfer to the Kintetsu Nara Line, and you’ll be at Kintetsu Nara Station in just 5 minutes.

A 15-minute stroll from Kintetsu Nara Station takes you to Kofukuji Temple, with its beautiful five-story pagoda, and Todaiji Temple, home of the largest Great Buddha statue in Japan.

Toji Station, just a single stop from Kyoto Station, also offers access to Kyoto City’s Toji Temple, famous for its five-story pagoda. You can also reach Kintetsu Tambabashi Station (one stop on the limited express train), with convenient access to the Fushimi area, known for its abundance of sake breweries.

The Kintetsu also extends its reach to Namba in Osaka, the Ise area in Mie Prefecture (famous for Ise Jingu shrine), and Nagoya, making it a great choice for those seeking broader travel opportunities.

The bus network accessible from Kyoto Station can take you to all the sightseeing spots you could imagine within the city. To reach the bus bay, proceed straight after exiting the central ticket gates of Kyoto Station on the JR Lines and leave the building. Head towards the Kyoto Tower in the background, and you will find the bus rotary very quickly.

Before boarding a bus, make sure to check the destination. For instance, if you’re heading to popular spots like Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, or Heian Shrine, you should take municipal buses number 100, 101, or 102. The fare is 230 yen (for adults) per ride. If you plan to take the bus more than three times in one day, purchasing a one-day unlimited bus pass for 600 yen is the most cost-effective option.

Express buses also operate from the bus terminal outside the JR Kyoto Station Central Exit, with JR 1 to JR 3 providing access to various destinations, such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Nagano, and Karuizawa.

An overnight bus allows you to rest during the journey, allowing you to more easily explore Japan's sightseeing attractions the following day.

There’s also a bus terminal in front of the Hachijo Exit on the south side of Kyoto Station. Exits E2, F3, G2-3, and H1-2 lead you to highway bus stops from which you can board limousine buses bound for Kansai International Airport, Arima Onsen, and Tokyo Disney Resort, amongst other bus companies that service all sorts of other attractions.

There are taxi stands located further east of the bus terminal outside Kyoto Station Central Exit (Karasuma Exit) ticket gates and west of the Hachijo Exit. There are typically a number of cabs standing by, minimizing wait time. However, it's worth noting that not all drivers may speak any foreign languages.

To address this, Kyoto also offers a taxi service catered toward foreign visitors in Japan, known as the “Foreign Friendly Taxi”.

This service exclusively employs certified personnel who have undergone specialized training in foreign languages and customer service. The vehicles are a bit larger to accommodate your luggage, and they also accept payment via credit cards and transportation IC cards. Just look for their trademark sticker.

Kyoto Station has two dedicated Foreign-Friendly taxi stands: one at the Karasuma Exit platform (from 9 AM - 11 PM), and another at the Hachijo Exit platform (24/7).

However, note that with the recent surge in tourism, there has been a shortage of taxi drivers, making it a bit more challenging to catch a cab, especially on weekends. So if you’re short on time, we suggest using a combination of buses and trains, or reserving a chartered vehicle in advance.

Here we detail the directions to a number of important spots for seamless navigation throughout the station.

JR Kyoto Station is serviced by both regular trains and the Shinkansen bullet trains. There are three Shinkansen ticket gates, all located on the Hachijo Exit side.

The first is the Shinkansen boarding platform at the Central Exit, located right beside Kyoto Station’s Hachijo West Exit and easily accessible from the south side of the station.

If you’re coming from the north side, head to the south side of the Hachijo West Exit via the 2F North-South passageway that connects both sides of the station.

There you’ll see the entrance to the Shinkansen Central Exit platform right at the bottom of the stairs.

There are also Shinkansen boarding platforms at the Hachijo Exit and the Hachijo East Exit.

If transferring to the Shinkansen from the regular JR lines, head to platforms 11-14 and exit through the Central Transfer Exit, without leaving the ticket gates.

There are three platforms for the regular lines to Osaka, Kobe, and Otsu.

The first is at the Central Ticket Gate, located in front of the Karasuma Exit on the north side of Kyoto Station 1F. It connects to the Biwako Line platform, so if you’re heading toward Osaka, go up to the second floor once inside the gate to platforms 3-4 or 5-6.

The second is at the West Exit Gate, located on the 2F East-West passageway. Accessible from both the Karasuma Exit on the north side and the Hachijo West Exit on the south side via the North-South passage.

Finally, there’s the one at the Underground East Exit, located at the underground passageway that connects the east side of the station spanning north to south, just a short distance away from the Karasuma Subway boarding platform.

Kyoto Station is serviced by the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line. If transferring from the regular JR line to the subway, we suggest going through the Underground East Exit. Exit from there, turn left at the JR ticket counter, and there you’ll see the subway Central Gate 1.

From the Shinkansen ticket gate, we recommend using the Shinkansen Hachijo East Exit. Leave through the ticket gate, turn left, and head down the stairs to the basement, where you’ll find the subway South Ticket Gate to the Karasuma Line.

There's only one Kintetsu Station linked to JR Kyoto Station, located just west of the Shinkansen platform Central Exit.

If entering from the Hachijo West Exit on the south side of the Station, you’ll spot the ticket gate immediately to the west. From the Karasuma Exit on the north side of the station, you’ll see the gates immediately after crossing the north-south passage.

JR Kyoto Station has bus and taxi stands at both the Karasuma Exit on the north side and the Hachijo Exit on the south side.

On the north side of the station, there’s a bus stop at the east side, just outside the building near the Central Exit ticket gate. Here, Kyoto City buses and JR express buses are readily available, while the taxi stands are located a bit further to the east.

Near the bus stop is the ticket center, where you can buy tickets for the JR bus and other lines.

On the south side of Kyoto Station in front of the Hachijo Exit is a bus terminal, right across the street from the traffic signal. Buses from various companies operate here, including limousine buses headed for Kansai International Airport.

The taxi stand is located further west past the Hachijo West Exit.

The coin lockers at Kyoto Station are divided into two sections. There are 34 located right outside the ticket gates, and six inside. On the Hachijo Exit side, you’ll find many more lockers situated along the station building in rows.

On the north side of Kyoto Station, you’ll find lots of coin lockers to the east side of the Karasuma Exit.

Locker prices vary by size, ranging from 400 to 700 yen, and are available for a period of up to three days. While most lockers are generally available 24 hours a day, please note that some may have limited hours of accessibility.

For added convenience, there’s the ICOCA Vacant Locker Search, offering an easy way to find available coin lockers out of the nearly 1,700 lockers located in Kyoto Station and the surrounding area. Easily check online without having to look around for on foot!

Another perk is that lockers are located on 1F near the Central Exit, Platform 0 inside the ticket gate, and on 2F near the West Exit ticket gate. You can also search for information using your phone through the link below!

JR Kyoto Station Carry Service Crosta Kyoto

Crosta Kyoto is located on B1F, down the escalator in front of the JR Central Ticket Gate. And as it’s near the bus rotary, you can easily drop off your luggage and head out for sightseeing right away!


Temporary luggage storage is available at Crosta for 800 yen per piece daily. They also offer luggage delivery to many hotels in Kyoto. So if you already have a place to stay, feel free to inquire about this service - it costs 1,000 yen per piece of luggage.

JR Kyoto Station Shinkansen Hachijo Exit Delivery Service

Delivery services are also available near the Shinkansen Hachijo Exit and Hachijo East Exit, offering more convenience for bullet train passengers. Temporary storage and hotel delivery services also available.

Temporary storage is available for 800 yen per day per piece of luggage, while hotel delivery goes for 1,000 yen per piece. Transportation between accommodations is also available, offering more convenience for those staying in Kyoto for multiple nights.

Kyoto General Tourist Information Center (Kyo-Navi)

There are several tourist information centers available, the largest of which is the Kyoto General Tourist Information Center (Kyo-Navi).

Located across the 2F West Exit, you’ll find numerous flyers and pamphlets about all kinds of attractions. Available in multiple languages, staff members are also on site for information and consultation.

You’ll also find tickets for a variety of facilities, such as Kyoto Tower and Ohata Movie Village, many available for discounts of 100-200 yen.

Wi-Fi router rentals (fees apply) and wheelchair rentals (free - 5,000 yen deposit) are also available.

Kyoto Station Building Information

For information about the facilities in the Kyoto Station building, head to the Kyoto Station Building Information center, conveniently located on the east side of the north part of Kyoto Station, upstairs from the Karasuma Exit.

Here you'll find info on station facilities and events, as well as useful station maps to help you find your way around.

Additionally, there's an information desk on the south side of the Shinkansen Central Exit. For international visitors, there's a special information desk next to the 2F West Exit ticket gate. So take advantage of these resources, and make the most of your time in Kyoto!

Right within Kyoto Station, there’s a large variety of shopping complexes. The plus point about these facilities is that most of them are open until quite late at night and stay open even during public holidays.

Here are some of our recommended eateries and restaurant streets that offer iconic Kyoto delicacies, along with souvenir shops where you can buy a piece of Kyoto to take back with you for memory’s sake!

Located in the basement of Kyoto Station, Kyoto Porta emerged on March 1, 2023 following the merger of Kyoto Station Underground Mall Porta and Kyoto Station Building Shopping Street “the CUBE”.

This expansive shopping district boasts nearly 225 stores, all offering a diverse range of goods and souvenirs, restaurants, clothing, cosmetics, and more. Eight new fashion and general shops have also opened as part of the renovation.

The food and drink zone in the west area was also renovated in August 2022, opening up 12 new restaurants, including Daruma, a famous Osaka kushikatsu restaurant.

Also in the west area is Yorimichi Square, thoughtfully equipped with power outlets for recharging your phone, allowing visitors to take a break from shopping and enjoy the free Wi-Fi.

Meanwhile, in the east area you’ll find Kyokonomi, with nearly 20 food and souvenir shops offering visitors a taste of popular Kyoto establishments, including Yatsuhashi and Tsujiri, famous for its matcha tea.

Both Omiyage Kaido Miyakoten, located at the north-south passageway of Kyoto Station Building 2F, and Omiyage Kaido JR Kyoto Station Central Exit, located right before JR Kyoto Station West Ticket Gate, have also been reborn as Kyoto Porta facilities.

The path is opened from early morning till late at night, making it easy for anyone to drop by along the way to or from somewhere directly. Why not make this your final stop for souvenirs just before hopping on a train back to your accommodations?

Happily, the shops here are tax-free and feature an astounding variety of goods, including hot favorites like Kyo Baum, a Japanese-style baumkuchen pastry, Kyoto Black Thunder, a reasonably-priced chocolate confectionery, and of course, Kyoto’s well-known matcha-flavored snacks of all sorts.

Souvenir shop Omiyage Koji Kyo Komachi, located at Kyoto Station Building 1F just outside the JR Central Gate, has also undergone renovation as part of Kyoto Porta.

Here you'll find an array of popular Kyoto pickle stores, including Nishikiri, Mori, Daian, and Kawakatsu Sohonke. You can also find standout sweets for sale, including Kyoto Veneto's Uji Matcha Tiramisu Langue-du-chat and Kyoto Souzen’s Kushi-Warabi.

In the southern part of the Kyoto Station Building, just outside the Shinkansen Hachijo east exit is a restaurant zone with an exciting concept – a large and straight corridor packed with nine eateries laid out in such a way that even people unfamiliar to the area can find what they want easily. The decor features tiled roofs and lattice windows reminiscent of Kyoto’s olden townhouses, and this retro design is well-received among its many patrons.

Visitors from overseas especially love the revolving sushi bar Sushi no Musashi here, where sushi is being prepared with fresh seafood sent directly from Maizuru Bay in northern Kyoto. The shop sees brisk business every day with long queues as a result. Other shops we recommend checking out here are a canteen serving food cooked in coal furnaces and an old-time Kyoto-style cafe. Most restaurants here are wide and spacious enough to accommodate larger groups as well.

This ramen specialty restaurant street is on the 10th floor of the Kyoto Station building. It features nine popular ramen shops from all over Japan, from Sapporo in Hokkaido to Hakata in Fukuoka. Representing Kyoto is Masutani, a longtime ramen place with more than 70 years of history touted as the originator of “Seabura Shoyu Ramen,” a delectable ramen dish featuring the back fat of roast pork. There’s also Gion Ramen Kyo, a popular white broth chicken shop, and Mensho Takamatsu, which takes pride in its delicious tsukemen noodles.

Other restaurants include Sapporo's Menya Kotetsu, opened June 2023, along with a variety of local ramen shops from Toyama, Osaka, Tokushima, and more. There’s also a specialty sweets shop on the same floor, allowing visitors to indulge in dessert right after their ramen feast. You may also want to collect the eight stamps on the Kyoto Ramen Koji App for coupons worth 800 yen. So be sure to download it, especially if you plan on staying for a while!

Kyoto City is home to a number of tourist attractions. However, you’ll also find lots to see and do right around Kyoto Station. Here are some spots to check out before heading to your next destination!

On the north side of JR Kyoto Station stands the symbolic Kyoto Tower. Rising 131 meters high, this tower houses a variety of facilities, including an observation deck, restaurants, and even a hotel! The view from the 5F observation deck is a breathtaking sight to behold, offering a panoramic view of the beautiful city of Kyoto.

Just a 15-minute stroll from JR Kyoto Station sits the largest inland aquarium in Japan, nestled within Umekoji Park. Here you’ll find nearly 15,000 fascinating creatures on display, including fur seals, penguins, and the giant salamanders native to Kyoto's rivers.

Right next to Kyoto Aquarium, located in the same Umekoji Park, lies the Railroad Museum, also a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station. This museum showcases 53 railcars, from historic steam locomotives to modern Shinkansen trains, along with railroad structures, and even a driving simulator that offers a hands-on train operation experience, which has gained immense popularity with visitors.

Higashi-Honganji Temple is a 10-minute walk north of JR Kyoto Station, famous for Goshindo Hall, one of the world's largest wooden structures. This is also where Shinran Shonin, the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, is enshrined.

A 15-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit is Toji Temple, a fundamental center of Shingon esoteric Buddhism. The five-story pagoda, standing as the largest wooden pagoda in Japan at nearly 55 meters high, towers over the temple grounds. Toji Station is just one stop away from Kyoto Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line.

If you’re traveling the area using Kyoto as a base, you may find it convenient to stay near Kyoto Station. Here are some recommended nearby accommodations.

The hotel is located in the symbolic Kyoto Tower in front of JR Kyoto Station. The city is well-serviced by all modes of transportation, including buses and cabs, as well as the Shinkansen and regular train lines, making it an ideal base for sightseeing in Kyoto.

This Japanese-style hotel is conveniently located a 7-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station Central Exit. The entire room is covered with tatami mats, immersing you in the authentic Japanese atmosphere. You can also unwind in the large natural bath after a long day of sightseeing.

Conveniently located a 5-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, this hotel boasts a history of nearly 60 years. The top floor is equipped with a large natural hot spring bath sourced from 910 meters underground, allowing guests to refresh themselves after a long day of traveling.

Located near Gojo Station, just one subway stop from JR Kyoto Station, this hotel offers easy access to attractions like Kiyomizu-dera Temple. They’re also pet-friendly, allowing one pet weighing up to 8 kg per room.

Built in 1909, this quaint hotel of only five rooms is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Located just one stop from Kyoto Station, near Gojo Station, this hotel has been featured in the Michelin Guide for its comfort for six consecutive years since 2015.

Beyond its well-developed access network, Kyoto Station boasts tons of convenient facilities for sightseeing. In addition to the spots mentioned here, visitors are also encouraged to explore JR Kyoto Isetan, known for its souvenirs and dining, as well as Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Kyoto, a huge electronics shop. So check out everything Kyoto Station has to offer, and make the most of your next Kyoto trip!

Information in article as of February 2024. Please see official websites for the latest updates & information.

Text by: Efeel Corp.

English translation by: Krys Suzuki