Hi there!
So you’ve decided to go for a Kyoto bus pass!
Here’s a perfect way to spend one day in Kyoto with a bus pass!
Now…
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
This is how it was for me in 2018 anyway!
More below on the visual of buying a day pass for the local Kyoto bus!
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More info/pictures below, but... SIDE NOTE!
Where to go from Kyoto?! You can go to to Nachi Falls to see one of Japan's most famous views! You can make it a part of your Kumano Kodo itinerary to go to several UNESCO world heritage sites, also making a stop at the small Yunomine Onsen hot springs town!
Here are more ideas for your Japan trip planning!
- Best places to visit for your first time in Japan (including famous views!)
- Where to go to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto
- Where to go to see fall colors in Kyoto
- Where to go for winter in Japan
- Where to go to experience tropical Japan
- Where to go for epic snow-capped Mt Fuji views
Now…
So the Kyoto station is home to both a train station and bus station.
When you exit the Kyoto station at the main exit (the central exit), you’ll pretty much immediately see the area for the buses.
1. Bus ticket center at Kyoto station
Exiting from the train station, the ticket center is located in a building to the right of all the bus stands.
You can go in and buy a bus pass directly from a person.
There’s also a small cafe inside if you want to grab a quick snack.
SIDE NOTE!
Here are Japan experiences you will love:
Read the reviews at partner website Viator!
- Samurai training
- Japanese calligraphy class
- Traditional tea ceremony + you get to wear a kimono!
- Ninja lesson
- Make ramen from scratch!
- Sushi making experience
- Sumo training!
2. Ticket machine at Kyoto station
Similarly, once you exit the train station, you can locate a ticket machine directly to the right of the bus stands, almost alongside the road.
Here you’ll be able to purchase a bus pass as well.
It’s also in English.
And those are a couple ways to buy a bus pass in Kyoto!
And then, after you’ve purchased your bus pass at Kyoto station…
You can figure out where to go to take your bus!
There’s a board that lists some of the popular tourist attractions with the platform to go to, or you can ask one of the people in purple who are there to help you!
Then you can head over to that platform, where there will be a digital signboard that can confirm the bus route you’re wanting to take.
And then…
Wait for the bus, then get on the bus!
And just a bit of a warning… there’s a chance you might be standing for the whole ride!
As for how to use the bus pass, see the instructions on the back of the bus pass when you buy it!
Also be sure to see aboutΒ how to take the bus in Kyoto!
HAPPY GETTING AROUND WITH YOUR KYOTO BUS PASS!
Here are ideas for your Kyoto itinerary!
- Day 1: Top tourist spots with one day bus pass
- Day 2: Fushimi Inari Shrine hike through 1,000 torii gates
- Day 3: Philosopher's Path walk
- Day 4: Arashiyama and Sagano
- Day 5: Kurama Kibune Ohara with one day pass
PLUS Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary and Kyoto fall colors itinerary!
And the JR pass makes it time-efficient to travel around Japan by train and is a popular option among international travelers! See how to figure out if the JR pass will be worth it for you!
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!)
π Explore the best places to visit in Japan!
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