Sorry for the hard-to-see map,we will explain the transportation network in Kyoto. You cannot enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto efficiently without understanding the transportation network in Kyoto.
1. Subway = Red line on map
First of all, the subway runs north-south and east-west in the city of Kyoto. The Karasuma Line runs north-south, and the Tozai Line runs east-west. The transfer point for both lines is Oike Station. Shijo Station on the Karasuma Line is adjacent to Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Railway. Also, Nishiki Market is about a 5-minute walk from this station. Imadegawa Station and Marutamachi Station on the subway are the closest stations to Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. If you get off at Nijojo-mae Station on the Tozai Line, Nijo Castle is right in front of you.
2. Randen Railway (official name: Keifuku Electric Railroad) = purple on the map
The keifuku Electric Railroad, which is popularly known as Randen, is a local tram that runs through the western part of Kyoto City. This tram is a part of the lives of Kyoto residents, but recently it has become very crowded with foreign tourists using it as well.
The line is shaped like the letter Y on its side. The main line connects Shijo Omiya Station and Arashiyama Station, and the Kitano Line, which extends from the intermediate station of Katabirano-tsuji Station to Kitano Hakubaicho Station, connects to the main line.
Shijo Omiya Station is a one-minute walk from the Hankyu Railway’s Omiya Station, and Nijo Castle is a 10-minute walk from Shijo Omiya Station. Kitano Tenmangu is a 5-minute walk from Kitano Hakubaicho Station. Arashiyama Station is located in the center of Arashiyama.
3. Eizan Railway = Yellow on the map
The Eizan Railway is a local train that runs through the northeastern part of Kyoto City. The line extends north from Demachiyanagi Station.
The final stops are Kurama Station and Yase-Hieizan-guchi Station. From the intermediate station of Takaragaike Station, the line splits into one going to Kurama Station and one going to Yase-Hieizan-guchi Station. Before Kurama Station is Kibune-guchi Station, the closest station to Kibune Shrine. Yase-Hieizan-guchi Station is the gateway to Mt. Hiei, which rises up on the border between Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures. Unlike the Randen, the Eizan Railway runs through the countryside.
4. JR Railway= conventional lines are blue / Shinkansen are light blue on the map
JR Kyoto Station is the gateway to Kyoto. JR Kyoto Station connects Osaka and Shiga Prefecture by conventional lines and Shinkansen. If you use the conventional lines, you can go to Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari Taisha, which is famous for its Thousand Torii Gates. It takes about 5 minutes to get to Inari Station（Fushimi Inari Taisha）from JR Kyoto Station, which is 2 stops away. When you get off at Inari Station, Fushimi Inari Taisha is right in front of you. The main tourist destinations in Kyoto that you can get to using the JR train are Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari Taisha and Umekoji Park (Railway Museum and Aquarium).
5. Kintetsu Railway = Orange on the map
There is a Kintetsu Railway station at the Hachijo exit of Kyoto Station (south side of Kyoto Station / opposite side of Kyoto Tower). You can go to Nara from this station. If you are going to Nara after sightseeing in Kyoto, this train is convenient.
6. Keihan Railway = Green on the map
The Keihan Railway runs north to south on the east side of the Kamo River in Kyoto City.This train connects the center of Osaka City on the east side of the Yodo River with Demachiyanagi Station in Kyoto. It is only a few minutes’ walk from Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Railway to Demachiyanagi Station on the Eizan Railway. This train is convenient for getting to Osaka Castle.
7. Hankyu Railway = Black on the map
The Hankyu Railway runs along the west side of the Yodogawa River, connecting Osaka Umeda Station in Osaka with Kyoto Kawaramachi Station in Kyoto.
From Omiya Station, it is a few minutes’ walk to Shijo Omiya Station on the Randen line, and about a 10-minute walk to Nijo Castle. From Karasuma Station, it is about a 5-minute walk to Nishiki Market. It is also connected to Shijo Station on the subway line, and you can get to Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Station from there. The final stop, Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, is a good base for shopping, and it is within walking distance of Gion.
8.City Bus
There are seven railway lines in Kyoto City, including the subway, but there are areas that are not covered by the railway. How can you get to these areas?The only way is to use the city bus. City buses run all over Kyoto City.
Although there are many city buses running, it can be difficult to work out which bus route will take you to your destination. In addition to the city buses, there are also several private bus routes running, so sometimes it’s hard to tell which are the city buses. In such cases, you have no choice but to ask people questions like “Is this a city bus? or ”Does this bus go to Kinkakuji?
Also, the City bus network is extremely complicated. Recently, due to the overtourism phenomenon, all the buses are crowded. City buses are used not only by tourists, but also by Kyoto residents. Even if you wait for a bus at a bus stop, there are times when the bus that comes is full and you can’t get on. You should be prepared for that. When moving around the city of Kyoto, it is important to have a good understanding of the above transportation network and traffic conditions.
9.Other Buses
In addition to city buses, there are other buses running in Kyoto City: Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, JR Bus, Princess Line Bus, Kyoto Keihan Kotsu Bus, and Sky Hop Bus.
Each of these buses may have their own bus stop or share a bus stop with a city bus. Some of these buses use a flat fare that applies to the central part of Kyoto City, while others change their fares as they go out to the suburbs.
Particular attention should be paid to the Sky Hop buses. The SKY HOP BUS is an unlimited-ride city circular bus. It goes around major tourist attractions, and one must buy a one-day or two-day ticket. Fares are expensive. Some bus stops are shared with city bus stops, while others are located near city bus stops.
What do you think? Kyoto’s transportation network is not easy, right? If you know Kyoto’s transportation network, you can enjoy Kyoto sightseeing more efficiently.
Finally, there are two ways to move around without worrying about waiting times or traffic jams.I’ll tell you about them in secret.
They are walking and cycling (haha)
