JR bus in Kyoto 🍵 Where can you go with JR pass by bus in Kyoto? 🗾🚌 Japan travel blog

Hi there!

So, you’re going from Tokyo to Kyoto with a JR pass.

Or maybe from somewhere else to Kyoto.

And you know that the local Kyoto bus can be a good way to get around Kyoto!

Does the JR pass work for Kyoto buses?

The JR pass will work for Kyoto buses if it is a JR bus.

But the JR pass does not work for most buses in Kyoto.

You cannot use your JR pass for buses in Kyoto if it’s the Kyoto bus or City bus or Raku bus.

These are all different types of buses in Kyoto.

Yes, there is a bus called the “kyoto bus” which is different from the “city bus.” These are the regular buses in Kyoto.

The regular buses in Kyoto being the “city bus” and “Kyoto bus.”

The “Raku bus” is basically a tourist bus with bus routes going near main tourist attractions.

This might sound confusing, but really, all you need is google maps because it makes it a whole lot easier! (You don’t need to specifically know or care about which type of bus you’re taking… unless you want to specifically take the JR bus… in which case… see below!)

There are slight differences in how to pay for a couple of the Kyoto buses, but in general, it’s mostly the same.

And so…

Can you use a JR pass for buses in Kyoto?!

Yes, you CAN use a JR pass for the JR bus in Kyoto.

The “JR bus” is yet another type of bus in Kyoto.

The JR bus does go to some top attractions in Kyoto, so this means that your JR pass can be useful for taking the bus in Kyoto.

You can take the JR bus in Kyoto for free if you use your JR pass.

The JR bus is the only bus in Kyoto that you can take to get a free bus ride using a JR pass.

The JR bus route is a bit more limiting, but if you want to get around to some of Kyoto’s top spots ONLY using your JR pass, you can make it work!

It’s also possible to get around Kyoto by JR train and it does go near some top spots too. But again, it’s a bit limiting.

Another option might be to go for a one day Kyoto bus pass (you’d pay extra for this – it’s like US$5).

Otherwise, you may want to get an icoca card in Kyoto to make it easier to pay for the bus tickets. It’s not necessary, and it won’t save you money, but it will just make it easier to pay! All you need to do is swipe! If you are in Tokyo first, the suica card or pasmo card serves the same purpose.

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Now…

First, the quick list of the best places to visit by taking a JR bus.

Then, the more complete list of places you can go by bus in Kyoto with a JR pass.

3 best places to visit by bus in Kyoto with a JR pass

1. Nijo Castle (+ teahouse)

2. Kinkakuji Temple

3. Ryoanji Temple

These 3 places are among the top UNESCO world heritage sites in Kyoto.

Also be sure to see how to spend 1 day, 2 days, and 5 days in Kyoto.

You can also go to the popular Kyoto neighborhood called Arashiyama with a JR pass (there’s a JR train), and here’s a one day Arashiyama itinerary for that.

And if you’ll be in Kyoto for cherry blossom season, here’s a one-day Kyoto cherry blossom photo walk.

Now…

List of where you can go by taking the JR bus

• Kyoto Station
• Kyoto Aquarium
• Kyoto Railway Museum
• Nijo Castle
• Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
• Kinkakuji Temple
• Ryoanji Temple
• Ninnaji Temple
• Jingoji Temple
• Kozanji Temple

JR bus route map

Photo was taken summer 2018.

And if you’re not committed to the JR bus, also consider…

Kyoto with a 600 yen (US$5) one day Kyoto bus pass!

It’ll get you to a few more of the top spots in Kyoto!

• Kyoto Station to Nijo Castle bus
• Nijo Castle (+ teahouse)
• Nijo Castle to Kinkakuji bus
• Kinkakuji Temple
• Kinkakuji to Ryoanji bus
• Ryoanji Temple
• Ryoanji to Yasaka Shrine bus
• Gion to Kiyomizu-dera walk
• Kiyomizu-dera to Kyoto station bus

JR train in Kyoto

There are also a few trains in Kyoto that are on the JR line.

Once again, this may be a bit more limiting compared to if you allow yourself to ride on any subway or train in Kyoto.

But still, a JR train can get you near a few top spots too, including to Arashiyama, to Fushimi Inari shrine with 1,000 torii gates, and to Nijo Castle.

See more about where you can go on the JR train in Kyoto.

ICOCA card

If you do end up deciding to get around Kyoto NOT exclusively with the JR pass, consider getting an ICOCA card for convenience! (If you are in Tokyo first, a SUICA card or PASMO card will work too.)

HAPPY JR BUS RIDE IN KYOTO!

Traveling around Japan and can't read Japanese? No problem! Just use the camera on the google translate app!

Is a JR pass worth it?!

• Google maps can make it easy to figure out whether or not you should get a JR pass!
• In google maps, type in your departure and arrival city, and choose the transit icon. The route will come up, and so will the estimated cost at the bottom!
• Here is an example of a train route with cost on google maps.
• So do that for all of your long distance routes to figure out how much it might cost.
• Next, go here to see how much a JR pass costs from an official JR pass vendor (and partner of this website).
• And compare!
• Not all forms of public transportation are JR, but long distance shinkansen bullet trains are, and that's where the most cost savings will come.

Best of Kyoto (and Japan!)

• Best temples to visit in Kyoto
• Japanese gardens in Kyoto

👇 Explore the best places to visit in Japan!




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