One day in Kyoto with $5 Kyoto bus pass (itinerary!) 🍵 WHERE TO GO by bus in Kyoto 🚌 Backpacking Japan travel blog

Hi there!

 

So, is one day in Kyoto enough?!

Well, probably not. 😉

But if it’s all you have, then here’s how to make the most of it!

 

 

Kyoto itinerary: How to spend one day in Kyoto

• Nijo Castle
• Kinkakuji Temple
• Ryoanji Temple
• Yasaka Shrine
• Chion-in Temple
• Ninenzaka Street
• Sannenzaka Street
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple

 

Can you really see lots of temples, a shrine, a castle, and a classic Kyoto street all in one day?! Yes, you can!

If you have more time in Kyoto, see the 2 day itinerary and 5 day itinerary.

If you’re in Kyoto in the spring, see the Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary.

If you’re in Kyoto in the fall, see the Kyoto fall colors itinerary.

 

Now…

First, the quick list of places to visit in Kyoto in one day… with pictures!

Then, a little bit about taking the bus in Kyoto. (But also see this step-by-step local Kyoto bus guide.)

Then, some more pictures of this one day Kyoto itinerary to see if it’s something you want to follow!

 

 

Best places to visit in Kyoto in one day with a bus pass

 

 

1. Nijo Castle (and teahouse)

 

 

2. Kinkakuji Temple

 

 

3. Ryoanji Temple

 

 

4. Yasaka Shrine

 

 

5. Chion-in Temple

 

 

6. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets

 

 

7. Kiyomizu-dera Temple

 

 

How to get around for this Kyoto itinerary

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

 

 

 

Kyoto map with attractions

See the Kyoto map in Google Maps!

And if you have more time, see this Kyoto tourist map to plan out your days in Kyoto!

 

 

3 things you NEED for this one day Kyoto itinerary

Okay, you don’t NEED any of these things, but all of them will definitely make your life on the streets of Kyoto MUCH easier!

 

1. Wifi or data on your phone

Pocket wifi is a thing for travelers in Japan.

If you’re American and have t-mobile, most standard plans come with FREE international data so be sure to look into it! It’s only 2G, but it worked well for me for purposes of getting around Kyoto!

 

2. Google maps app on your phone

So the reason you will want to highly consider wifi is because Google Maps will make your life much easier.

Once you’re done visiting one place and you’re ready to move on to the next one, open up Google Maps with data/wifi and GPS enabled.

Then let it tell you the best way to get to your next destination by bus or by walking!

And when you’re on the bus, you can keep an eye on Google Maps to know when you’re getting close to your stop.

 

3. One day bus pass

Well, since this IS an itinerary that uses a bus pass, this will be useful to have.

You CAN follow this itinerary without it, but it WILL cost you more.

AND not only that, you’ll have to get out those coins every time you want to ride the bus. A one day bus pass really is just easier! (Or buy an ICOCA card – that will also be easier, as you will just swipe to pay with no need to take out coins! Get this for the other days you’ll be in Kyoto!)

 

 

🗾🚌

 

 

So…

Is it worth it to get a one day Kyoto bus pass?

If you will be taking the bus more than 2 times in one day, then YES! It’s worth it.

If you follow this particular itinerary, you’ll be taking the bus 5 times, so it will more than pay for itself!

 

The one day bus pass costs 600 yen (US$5)

At least it was for me in 2018!

 

There are a few different types of buses that go around Kyoto, and this particular bus pass will cover 2 main types of buses:

• City bus
• Kyoto bus

These buses are the vast majority of the buses you’ll come across, and what Google Maps will show you.

 

Bus fare without a Kyoto bus pass

Generally speaking, a single bus ride will probably cost you around 200-400 yen (US$2-3) when you are paying for individual rides.

 

How to use the one day bus pass

 

The bus pass also doesn’t cover ALL parts of Kyoto.

That only becomes a concern if you are going on the outskirts of Kyoto, like to the more rural Ohara village.

There are other types of buses in Kyoto, but the city bus and Kyoto bus will be able to get you around to the main attractions of Kyoto well.

The first time you use the pass, you’ll put it through the card machine when you get off the bus. You can think of this as the way to activate the bus pass.

After that, to use your bus pass, you’ll flash the back of your pass that has the date on it to the bus driver as you get off.

These instructions are on the back of the bus pass.

If you’re unsure of anything, just make gestures to the bus driver about whether or not you’re doing the right thing. (Most probably don’t speak much English.)

 

 

If you follow the route outlined on this one day itinerary, you’re likely to mostly end up on a city bus or Raku bus.

If you won’t be following this exact itinerary, you may also consider taking the bus with an ICOCA card, the recharge cash card.

 

Be sure to also see about how to take the bus in Kyoto.

 

 

Where to buy a one day Kyoto bus pass

These are probably the 2 easiest ways to buy a Kyoto bus pass:

• Bus ticket center at Kyoto station
• Bus ticket machine at Kyoto station

 

See more here for the visual of where to buy the bus pass once you’re at Kyoto Station.

 

 

What about the bus timings?

When I did this, I wasn’t concerned about specific bus timings.

The most important thing is the frequency of the buses.

And since these places to visit are popular areas, the frequency of the buses between the various tourist attractions is good enough.

You generally won’t have to wait too long for the next bus.

When you’re ready to move on to the next attraction, just consult Google Maps!

 

 

What if you need help at the Kyoto bus station?!

 

If you see people dressed in purple, they are there to help you!

 

 

What’s the WORST part about getting around Kyoto by bus?!

There IS a possibility that you’ll end up on a crowded bus.

This means that you might end up standing for much of the time that you’re in transit.

But don’t worry, there are plenty of areas to sit and rest up along the way at the sites of the tourist attractions once you’re off the bus. 😉

 

 

And there IS a chance that you COULD end up on an empty bus!

 

 

 

What about the JR pass to get around Kyoto by bus?

 

If you want to consider doing Kyoto sightseeing exclusively with your JR pass by bus, there is a JR bus which means free bus rides to get around Kyoto.

The route is a bit more limiting, but you can still see a number of places.

Of the attractions that are a part of this list with the one day bus pass, you can get to the following attractions by taking the JR bus:

• Kyoto Station
• Nijo Castle
• Kinkakuji Temple
• Ryoanji Temple

So this is basically the first part of the itinerary (in this exact order), and the castle and temples are some of the top UNESCO world heritage sites in Kyoto.

See more of the JR bus route.

 

 

Now, to see if you want to follow this plan…

How to spend one day in Kyoto!

 

This was my exact route in August 2018.

 

Kyoto Station to Nijo Castle bus

So once you get to Kyoto station and you have your one day bus pass, onward to getting to the right bus stand!

You can ask the good people in purple…

 

 

And you can also look at the information board to find out where the bus to Nijo Castle is.

You’ll find a section that lists the platform of all the top Kyoto attractions.

 

 

The bus to Nijo Castle will be at platform B1 and B2.

 

 

As a popular tourist attraction, it’s possible there will already be a long line when you arrive.

 

 

Off to Nijo Castle you go!

The bus will drop you off right in front of Nijo Castle.

 

 

 

Nijo Castle (UNESCO world heritage site)

Cost: 600 yen (US$5)

You’ll probably end up spending 1-2 hours on a visit to Nijo Castle.

 

 

Nijo Castle teahouse

Consider stopping by the Waraku-an teahouse that’s on the grounds of Nijo Castle.

You can make your own matcha green tea straight from the matcha powder!

 

 

Nijo Castle cafe

There’s also a little cafe near the exit if you want to sit down for some snacks too.

 

 

 

Nijo Castle to Kinkakuji bus

Once you’ve finished your visit to Nijo Castle, next up is Kinkakuji Temple!

You’ll take a bus ride and then walk a little bit to get to the Kinkakuji entry.

 

 

You can also find some snacks on the way to Kinkakuji Temple.

 

 

 

Kinkakuji Temple (UNESCO world heritage site)

Cost: 400 yen (US$4)

Maybe you’ll spend an hour here.

 

 

 

Kinkakuji to Ryoanji bus

Next up, you’ll take another bus ride, followed up with a short walk to get to the Ryoanji Temple entry!

 

 

Throughout the day, you’ll come across many vending machines so you can stay well-hydrated. (And you will have no problem finding a toilet at the tourist attractions.)

 

 

 

Ryoanji Temple (UNESCO world heritage site)

Cost: 500 yen (US$5)

This is considered to be a zen temple, and it’s also famous for its rock garden.

This is a place you can spend a short time if you want to make this a quick visit, or you can spend longer if you like the atmosphere.

 

 

 

Ryoanji to Yasaka Shrine bus

This will be a bus ride to Gion where the Yasaka shrine is located.

You’ll be dropped off on the streets of Gion, and this is a place that can be good to do your souvenir shopping or gift shopping.

 

 

From the bus stop, it’ll be a short walk to the Yasaka Shrine.

 

 

Yasaka Shrine

Cost: FREE!

This is another place that can be a quick visit where you can spend a short time roaming around the grounds of the shrine.

 

 

 

Yasaka Shrine to Chion-in Temple

Start of Gion to Kiyomizu-dera walk

Once you’ve finished up at the shrine, you’ll start your walk from Gion to Kiyomizu-dera.

It’ll be a short walk to get to Chion-in Temple.

 

 

 

Chion-in Temple

Cost: 500 yen (US$5)

You can walk around the grounds of the temple for free!

 

 

 

Chion-in to Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka walk

Once you’re finished walking around the grounds of the Chion-in Temple, next up is to continue in the direction of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

In order to see a bit of “classic Kyoto,” you’ll want to be sure to pass by the streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka along the way, so that’s where you’re headed next!

 

 

 

Ninenzaka slope and Sannenzaka slope

Cost: FREE! (These are regular streets)

This can be another good place to do some souvenir shopping, gift shopping, and even take in a tea ceremony!

 

 

 

Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka to Kiyomizu-dera walk

And then it’ll be a final short walk to get to Kiyomizu-dera Temple!

 

 

 

Kiyomizu-dera Temple (UNESCO world heritage site)

Cost: 400 yen (US$4)

You’ll likely want to spend at least 1-2 hours here, and you’ll find places to eat around here too.

 

 

Kiyomizu-dera to Kyoto station bus

And finally your last bus of the day!

 

 

Kyoto station

Head underground at Kyoto station for a network of restaurants so you can finish off your day with some Japanese food!

You might need a big meal to refuel after all the walking that you did!

 

 

HAPPY ONE DAY IN KYOTO!

 

If your one day in Kyoto is during cherry blossom season, then be sure to see this one day Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary!

If your one day in Kyoto is when there are fall colors, take your pick out of one of the days for a one day Kyoto fall colors itinerary!