6 Tips on how to reach your Destination smoothly from Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station

Anyone who has ever visited Kyoto or is planning on doing so in the future will most certainly go through Kyoto Station at least once...because of the station's size the number of visitors passing through every day, it is easy to get lost. To help you, we have prepared a step-by-step guide in the form of six tips on how to get around Kyoto Station.

Kyoto Station, known as the gateway to Kyoto, is one of the most frequented terminal stations in Japan, handling a massive number of passengers every day. It’s the first stop for tourists who make their way here via public transit, and with numerous hotels and commercial facilities within walking distance, many people pass through every day. However, the station is a bit complicated, and even locals get lost in it from time to time.

So now, we’ll take a complete look at how to get around Kyoto Station. Here are some handy tips on how to make your way through Kyoto Station with ease. Remember these and you’ll never get lost again!

Crucial First Moves: What Do You Do After You Get Off the Shinkansen? (Basic Info)

You’ve arrived at Kyoto Station from the direction of Tokyo and Nagoya, and stepped out onto the platform. The announcement of “Kyoto, Kyoto” echoes through the air, and the townscape of the ancient capital looms before y

On the wall of the escalator as you head down from the platform to the concourse, you see a JR Tokai poster that reads, “Yes, let’s go to Kyoto.” You realize at this moment, “I’ve made it to Kyoto!” and the first thing on your mind is “I wanna go out and see it now!”

But first, let’s stop and take a breather. It’s important to stay calm and pay close attention to your surroundings rather than just follow the flow of people. There are a few things to keep in mind at this point:

Tip 1: There are three main types of public transit departing from Kyoto Station:

(1) Local JR lines, private railway lines, etc.
(2) Subway Karasuma Line
(3) Buses

It’s a good idea to know in advance, with the help of route maps, timetables, transfer searches, and so on, which mode of transportation is best for getting to where you want to go.

Tip 2: The north side where Kyoto Tower is located is the "Central Exit"

Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station has two large exits that lead outside: one on the north side called the "Central Exit", and another on the south called the "Hachijo Exit". These are similar to the "Marunouchi Exit" and "Yaesu Exit" at Tokyo Station, and are often seen on the information displays in the stations as well as on station maps. However, first-time visitors to Kyoto may not have a clear understanding of which exit is closest to where they are at the time. The "Central Exit" is where boarding areas for the buses and taxis that travel around the city are gathered, and it’s often used as a meeting place for people, so it’s a very useful location. The Central Exit is the one where Kyoto Tower is, but unfortunately the tower is not visible from inside the station. That’s why you should keep an eye out for signs leading to the "Central Exit".

There is a "Shinkansen Central Exit" that serves as the exit of the Shinkansen concourse, but this is different from the "Central Exit" of the area of Kyoto Station for the local train lines. Conversely, that exit will lead you to the "Hachijo Exit" instead.

Tip 3: There is a multipurpose restroom and elevator at the "Transfer to JR Lines (Central Transfer)" exit

At the Shinkansen concourse, there are two exits labeled “Transfer to JR Lines” that you can use to transfer to the local JR Lines.
・Transfer to JR Lines (Central Transfer)
　→ You can transfer to any of the local JR lines.
・Transfer to JR Lines (East Transfer)
　→ Recommended for transferring to the Kyoto Line (Tokaido Main Line), Kosei Line, and Nara Line.

The exit labeled “Transfer to JR Lines (Central Transfer)” has escalators, elevators, and a multipurpose restroom just outside of it, making it a good choice for elderly travelers or families with children.

To transfer to the local JR lines, go out through the "Transfer to JR Lines (Central Transfer) exit", then go through the passageway inside the ticket gates.

Immediately to your right as you leave the Shinkansen concourse from the "Transfer to JR Lines (Central Transfer) exit" are platforms 8, 9, and 10, which are for the JR Nara Line. The Nara Line goes to Fushimi Inari (nearest to Inari Station) and Uji, and also to a transfer to the Keihan Line.

Tip 4: The Sagano Line (San-in Line) that goes to Arashiyama is next to the longest train platform in Japan

The Sagano Line (San-in Line), on which trains depart from platforms 30 and up, goes in the direction of Saga-Arashiyama Station. However, these platforms are a bit far away from those for other lines.

Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station is home to the longest train platform in Japan, with a length totaling 558 meters. The deal is that Platform 0 is connected to Platform 30, and if you’re looking for the Sagano Line (San-in Line), those trains are on platforms 31, 32, and 33, which are right next to Platform 30. Compared to the other platforms, they’re a lot farther away! It seems like you’ll never get there no matter how far you go, which can be disheartening. But you’ll be okay. Just keep making your way toward the platforms in the 30s and you’ll get there.

Lastly, if you want to go to Toji Temple or the Nara and Ise-Shima areas, take the Kintetsu Line. From the Shinkansen concourse, go out through the "Shinkansen Central Exit" and you’ll see the Kintetsu boarding area right in front of you. From local JR lines, go out through the "West Exit" and then go left.

Tip 5: The subway is underground!

The sheer size of Kyoto Station and the number of people in it can make it difficult to know which floor you’re on and whether or not you’re above or below ground. In times like this, what you need to remember is that “the subway is underground”! Especially if you come to Kyoto station via a local train, there are stairs leading underground from each platform, so if you see stairs going up and stairs going down, always take the downward stairs for easier access. If you head out from the Underground Exit, you’ll see the subway’s "Central 1 Ticket Gate" and "Central 2 Ticket Gate" close by. This is also a shorter way to get to the subway station via the connecting passageway inside the ticket gates, rather than going out of the ticket gates and looking for the subway.

Tip 6: Use your one-day ticket wisely!

Kyoto Station

Buses to popular areas such as Gion and Kiyomizu Temple always have long lines. If you want to avoid the crowds and traffic, a combination of trains and buses is the way to go. This is where the one-day ticket comes in.

In particular, the "Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass" lets you ride the subway and City Bus as many times as you want on the day you use it (some routes are not available). Since you can use it as many times as you want, you can enjoy stress-free travel when sightseeing in Kyoto without needing to have change ready at various places or keep track of your IC card balance.

The "Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass" is available at the "Kyoto Tourist Information Center (Kyo-Navi)" located on the 2nd floor of the Kyoto Station Building in the north-south passageway (outside the ticket gates), the Bus Information Center, and from vending machines located at bus stops and subway stations. The price is 1,100 yen for adults and 550 yen for children.

Boarding points for taxis can be found in front of Hotel Granvia at the "Central Exit" on the north side of Kyoto Station, as well as on the south side at the "Hachijo Exit". Use the one that is more convenient for reaching your destination.
* Article author: Nozomi Goto