city in Kyōto prefecture, Japan

Kyōto (京都) was the capital of Japan for over a millennium, and carries a reputation as the nation's most beautiful city and its cultural capital. However, visitors may be surprised by how much work they will have to do to see Kyoto's beautiful side. Most first impressions of the city will be of the urban sprawl of central Kyoto, around the ultra-modern glass-and-steel train station, which is itself an example of a city steeped in tradition colliding with the modern world.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple with its famous large veranda



Kyoto's districts
The Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-ji


  Arashiyama (Western Kyoto)
  Higashiyama (Eastern Kyoto)






Climate chart (explanation)
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
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Imperial conversion
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Like the rest of the country, Kyoto exhibits four seasons — spring, summer, fall and winter — with many flowers in the spring and changing leaves in the fall attracting hordes of tourists. Kyoto is particularly humid in the summer as the city is flanked by mountains. From about mid-June to the end of July is the rainy season, so most travelers try to avoid this time. The type of rain ranges from drizzles to off-and-on showers to downpours. There is another typhoon season in late August and September. Winters are generally cold but without snowfall. They usually don't start until the end of December and last until March when the plum blossoms followed by cherry blossoms begin to open.

Get inEdit

By planeEdit

Not arriving at Kansai or Itami?


You can also hop on a bus from Narita Airport directly to Kyoto. Nankai Bus and Chiba Kotsu operate a daily overnight bus service, leaving Narita Airport's terminals at around 21:35 and arriving in Kyoto at around 6:25 the next morning. The return leaves Kyoto at 22:15, arriving at Narita at around 6:50. If and when returning to Narita, arrive with plenty of time for your flight! The one-way bus fare starts from ¥7,370 per person.

  • If you arrive at Nagoya's Chubu Centrair International Airport, Kyoto can be reached in less than two hours by taking the Meitetsu Airport Line to Nagoya, then changing to the Tokaido Shinkansen. Since the Meitetsu Line and the Shinkansen are operated by different companies, allow some time in Nagoya to purchase additional train tickets. In addition, Kintetsu Bus operates two direct buses every day from Centrair to Kyoto (2 hr 40 min, ¥4000).


From KansaiEdit

By trainEdit

You can fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX IATA) and then get a train to Kyoto. Kansai Airport Station is opposite the arrival lobby where the Haruka limited express train, operated by West Japan Railway (JR West), can be caught. The Haruka runs to Kyoto in 75-80 minutes and a one-way ticket costs ¥2,900 for an open (non-reserved) seat or ¥3,430 for a reserved seat.

There are a few ways that foreign tourists can use the Haruka at a discount. One way is to buy a one-day Kansai Area Pass. At a cost of only ¥2,400 (¥2,350 if you book online), this pass costs ¥500 less than a regular ticket. You will need to show a passport issued by a foreign country with Japanese temporary visitor visa on it when purchasing a ticket. Note that you are limited to purchasing one pass per trip, so if you return to Kansai Airport on the Haruka you will have to pay the regular fare.

Another option that JR West offers is the ICOCA and HARUKA discount ticket which includes travel in unreserved seating on the Haruka to Kyoto and any JR station within a designated "Free Zone", and a rechargeable ICOCA transit card containing ¥2000 (includes ¥500 deposit) that can be used on JR, private railways, buses and stores in the Kansai region. A one-way discount ticket costs ¥3630 and a round-trip costs ¥5260. For Kyoto, the mentioned "Free Zone" includes the Sagano Line on the part from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama. Make sure not to exit through the turnstiles at Kyoto Station if you plan to transfer.

Both of the above tickets can be purchased online or at the Kansai Airport train station. Some other, more expensive JR West passes where trips on the Haruka are valid include the Kansai Wide Area Pass and the Sanyo Area Pass.

The other train company operating out of Kansai Airport is the Nankai Railway. They offer a discounted ticket if you are interested in traveling to Central Kyoto, called the Kyoto Access Ticket. For ¥1250 this ticket includes a journey on the Nankai Railway Airport service to Tengachaya station in Osaka, followed by a trip on the Osaka Sakaisuji Subway Line. With a second transfer at Awaji station you can travel to Kyoto on the Hankyu Main Line. Under this plan you can reach Central Kyoto in approximately 1 hr 45 min. You have the option to upgrade to the fastest Nankai train service, the Rapi:t, for an additional charge.

By busEdit

Comfortable limousine buses run from the airport to Kyoto Station twice an hour. The ticket costs ¥2,600 one-way or ¥4,260 round-trip. Buses discharge at the south end of Kyoto Station; return tickets are sold from a vending machine on the first floor of the Hotel Keihan Kyoto. The ride from Terminal 1 takes 88 minutes, but can take longer when there is traffic (90 – 135 min).

From ItamiEdit

Located near Osaka, Itami Airport (ITM IATA) is Kansai's largest domestic airport. Travelers flying into Kyoto from other areas in Japan will most likely arrive here. The easiest way to get to Kyoto from Itami Airport is by Limousine Bus, which generally runs every 20 min throughout the day. The trip takes about 50 min and costs ¥1,340.

Alternatively, you can take a combination of monorail and train, which requires one or two changes:

  • Take the Osaka Monorail to Hotarugaike, the Hankyu Takarazuka Line to Juso, and the Hankyu Kyoto Line to Kyoto (1 hr, ¥670)
  • Take the Osaka Monorail to Minami-Ibaraki and change to the Hankyu Kyoto Line to Kyoto (1 hr, ¥760)


By trainEdit

Tokaido Shinkansen train arriving at Kyoto station.
A shinkansen service entering Kyoto station.

Most visitors arrive at JR Kyoto Station by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo. Nozomi trains take approximately 2 hr 15 min to Kyoto and cost ¥14170 one-way. Travel agencies in Tokyo and Kyoto sell Nozomi tickets with ¥700-1,000 discount. If you buy a ticket in an agency, it is "open date" - you can board any train as long as it is not full. All you have to do is show up at the train station, register your agency ticket and then you will be reserved a seat.

Hikari trains, which run less frequently and make a few more stops, cover the trip in around 2 hr 45 min, while all-stopping Kodama trains take around 3 hr 40 min. Only the Hikari and Kodama trains can be used by Japan Rail Pass holders at no charge.

Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance through Japan Railways' official SmartEX App, available in English and other languages - look for Hayatoku fares.

Travelers can also take advantage of the Puratto (Platt) Kodama Ticket, which offers a discount for Kodama services if you purchase at least one day in advance. You get a reserved seat and a coupon for a free drink (including beer) which can be redeemed at a "Kiosk" convenience counter inside the station. With this ticket a trip from Tokyo to Kyoto costs ¥10500. There is only one Kodama service per hour from Tokyo, and a few early-morning Kodama trains cannot be used with this ticket. Travel from Nagoya with this ticket costs ¥4400.

During travel periods when the Seishun 18 Ticket is valid, you can go from Tokyo to Kyoto during the day in about 8½ hours using all-local trains. Traveling in a group is the best way to get discounts. The usual fare is ¥8360, however a party of three costs around ¥4000 per person, and a group of five traveling together drops the price down to ¥2410 per person.


Those travelling from the Hokuriku region can use Thunderbird (サンダーバード) limited express trains from Kanazawa (2 hours, ¥6900). Kanazawa is the present terminal of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, connecting to Toyama, Nagano and Tokyo.

Hokuriku Arch PassEdit

The Hokuriku Arch Pass allows unlimited travel between Tokyo and the Kansai area via the Hokuriku region, using the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kanazawa and the Thunderbird from Kanazawa to Kyoto and Osaka. At a cost of ¥24440 for seven consecutive days of travel (¥25460 if purchased inside Japan), the Arch Pass is ¥5210 cheaper than the national Japan Rail Pass. On the other hand, a trip from Tokyo to Kyoto is twice as long via Kanazawa compared to the more popular Tokaido Shinkansen.

Overnight travelEdit

Direct overnight train service between Tokyo and Kyoto were plentiful in the past decades, but as time went on services were pretty much eliminated. As a result, taking the bus is now the easiest way to travel between these two cities at night.

Overnight travel between Tokyo and Kyoto is still possible with a stopover in another city along the way, which is easy to do with a Japan Rail Pass or a basic long-distance ticket that is valid over a period of several days.

By carEdit


By busEdit

JR Highway Buses are among many companies that make daily bus runs between Tokyo and Kyoto.

As Kyoto is a major city, there are many day and overnight buses which run between Kyoto and other locations throughout Japan, which can be a cheaper alternative than shinkansen fares. As the cultural center of Japan, Kyoto's bus connections are almost as numerous as Tokyo's. There are bus operators with night buses from Yamagata, Sendai, Koriyama, Fukushima, Tochigi, Utsunomiya, Saitama (Omiya), Yokohama, Niigata, Karuizawa, Toyama, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Numazu, Mishima, Matsue, Izumo, Tokuyama, Yamaguchi, Imabari, Matsuyama, Kochi, Fukuoka (Hakata), Takeo, Sasebo (Huis Ten Bosch). Same-day highway buses depart from Tsu, Yokkaichi, Nagoya, Toyokawa, Toyohashi, Takayama, Okayama, Kurashiki, Tsuyama, Fukuyama, Onomichi, and Hiroshima.

Most highway buses will pick up and drop off passengers at Kyoto Station. JR Buses congregate at the Karasuma Exit (烏丸口) at the north side of the station. Other companies will use the Hachijo Exit (八条口) on the south side, either at the station or at one of the nearby hotels.

Another bus stop is called Kyoto Fukakusa (京都深草). This stop is nowhere close to Kyoto station, but rather is 4.5 km to the south on the Meishin Expressway. Some JR Buses heading to and from Osaka will use this stop instead of calling at Kyoto Station. The closest train stations are Fujinomori on the Keihan Line (5-10 min walk) and Takeda on the Kintetsu Line and Kyoto Subway (10-15 min walk); all can be used to reach central Kyoto. Local city buses also runs to Kyoto station from the nearby Youth Science Center a few times per hour.

From TokyoEdit

The run between Tokyo and the Kansai region is the busiest in Japan. Buses use the Tomei or Chuo Expressway from Tokyo to Nagoya, then the Meishin Expressway to Kyoto. Trips take between 7 and 9 hours depending on the route and stops.

Fierce competition between operators has led to better amenities and lower prices. Part of this strategy is the adoption of dynamic pricing on many bus routes. This generally means that daytime trips, weekday trips, tickets bought in advance and buses carrying more passengers are cheaper, while night trips, weekend/holiday trips, walk-up fares and buses with fewer (and more comfortable) seats will be more expensive.

As a rule of thumb, fares for a weekday trip between Tokyo and Kyoto go for ¥4000-6000 per person during the daytime, and ¥5000-8000 per person for overnight trips. Children usually pay half the adult fare.

Two of the major bus operators between Tokyo and Kyoto are Willer Express and JR Bus. Tickets for all carriers can generally be purchased at major departure points, and can also be purchased (with some Japanese language help) at kiosks inside convenience stores.

Willer Express runs daytime and overnight trips with a variety of seating options ranging from standard seats to luxurious shell seats. Bus journeys can be booked online in English, and Willer's Japan Bus Pass is valid on all of their routes with some exceptions. Willer's buses in Tokyo leave from the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku), above the JR tracks at Shinjuku Station, which is served by many of Japan's highway bus operators. Willer also sells tickets for other bus operators on their website, but these trips are not valid with Willer's Japan Bus Pass.

JR Bus reservations can be made in English through their Kousoku Bus Net web site. You can also make reservations in train stations at the same "Midori-no-Madoguchi" ticket windows used to reserve seats on trains. Buses depart from Tokyo Station - Yaesu Exit (八重洲口) and from Busta Shinjuku.

Get aroundEdit


One of the easiest ways to plan a route is through Hyperdia. This website contains station-to-station route plans, which reference public and private trains and subways as well as buses throughout Japan.


  • The Kyoto Sightseeing Card can be purchased as a one-day (adults ¥900/children ¥450) or two-day pass (¥1700/¥850). It can be used for unlimited travel on the subway and city buses as well as a part of the Kyoto bus route. The two-day pass has to be used on two consecutive days.

Check the Kyoto City Bus & Subway Information Guide for more information on how to use these cards.

By trainEdit

Map of railway lines in most of the Kyoto municipality


By subwayEdit

Baggage lockers in the underground part of Kyoto Station.


A one-day pass for the subway costs ¥600.

By busEdit

Buses like this are part of Kyoto's vast public transit system.



Many buses depart from Kyoto Station, but there are well-served bus stations closer to the city center at Sanjō-Kawabata just outside the Sanjō Keihan subway line, and in the northern part of the city at the Kitaōji subway station. Most city buses and some Kyoto Buses have a fixed fare of ¥230, but you can also purchase a one day pass (¥600 for adults and ¥300 for children under 12) with which you can ride an unlimited number of times within a one day period. The day passes can be bought from the bus drivers or from the bus information center just outside Kyoto Station. This is especially useful if you plan on visiting many different points of interest within Kyoto. You can also buy a combined unlimited subway and bus pass for ¥900.

The municipal transport company publishes a very useful leaflet called Bus Navi. It contains a route map for the bus lines to most sights and information. You can pick it up at the information center in front of the main station.

  • Raku Bus - The city has three routes (100, 101, and 102) which are specifically designed for foreign tourists wishing to hit the tourist spots quickly. The buses skip many of the non-tourist stops and are thus a faster way to get from one sight to the next. The Raku Bus #100 and #101 leave from platform D1 and B2 at Kyoto Station. The cost is ¥230 per ride, but the day passes are accepted as well.
  • Keihan Loop Bus - Keihan operates a loop bus (300) that offers a convenient connection between Kyoto Station and the Keihan Railway. The nonstop, direct buses run every 15 minutes between the Hotel Thousand Kyoto (near Kyoto Station's Central Exit) and the Shichijo Station on the Keihan Main Line. The regular fare is ¥230, but if you take the bus from the Keihan Line to Kyoto Station the fare is just ¥100 if you buy a transfer ticket before exiting through the ticket barriers at Shichijo Station. If you are staying at the Hotel Thousand Kyoto or the adjacent Kyoto Century Hotel, you can buy a ¥100 ticket for the bus from your hotel. Note that several Kyoto City buses also offer a similar service (including the 206 and 208 routes) but the ¥100 discounted fare is only valid on the Keihan Loop Bus.

By bicycleEdit

Particularly in spring and fall, but at any time of year, getting around by bicycle is an excellent option. Cycling forms a major form of personal transport year-round for locals. The city's grid layout makes navigation easy. The city is essentially flat, excepting a few places in the lower parts of the surrounding hills where you may have to climb a bit or park you bike to visit on foot. You can rent bicycles in many places in Japan for a reasonable price. During the peak tourist seasons, when roads are busy and buses tend to be crammed beyond capacity, bicycles are probably the best way to navigate Kyoto.


Be aware that it is forbidden to park your bike where it is not explicitly authorized, in which case it could get towed and you would have to pay a fine to get it back. So you will have to find a legal bike park near the place you want to visit and pay for it. It will not be the preferred transportation mean if you have planned to go to a district and visit it by foot along a non-circular route (like the Philosopher's Path in Higashiyama).

  • Kyoto Cycling Tour Project(KCTP), +81 75-354-3636. A five-minute walk from the North Exit (the side with the buses and Kyoto Tower) of Kyoto Station. Bikes range from ¥1000 to ¥2000 for an actual 27-speed mountain bike with city-tires on it; perfect for the average foreigner who is used to a 'real' bike in their home country. The following options can be added: bilingual cycling/walking map of Kyoto ¥100; light FREE; helmet ¥200; back pack; ¥100; rain poncho ¥100. They can hold on to your luggage while you are riding. There are four other locations of KCTP and you can return your bike to any location, however you will incur a ¥400 charge if you return the bike to a location other than the one you rented from. Guided bike tours are also available ranging from ¥3900 (three hours) to ¥12000 (7.5 hours) that include guide, bike rental, lunch/snacks, accident insurance and admission to some attractions on the tour. Minimum of two people to guarantee departure/maximum of 10. Needs to be reserved three days in advance if you want a tour. Don't worry if the mountain bikes sell out - Kyoto (like Tokyo) is a city with perfect kerb transitions so a 8 speed with basket and bell is fine, if a little bumpy on the river path.


The Japanese spoken in Kyoto is a distinctive dialect, which may be a little difficult to understand if you have just started learning Japanese. While standard Japanese is universally understood, it is not uncommon for locals to reply in dialect even when spoken to in standard Japanese. If you don't understand, just politely ask the person to repeat what they say in standard Japanese (標準語 hyōjungo) and they will usually oblige. The Kyoto dialect is similar to the Osaka dialect, with a lot of shared regional vocabulary, but unlike the rough-sounding Osaka dialect, is typically regarded as being very elegant and gentle compared to standard Japanese.

As Kyoto is a very touristic city, staff at most of the major hotels and tourist attractions have a functional command of English. Outside of that, English is generally rarely spoken. Other foreign languages such as Italian, French, Korean or Mandarin may be spoken by some staff at the main tourist attractions due to the large number of tourists speaking those languages.


Individual listings can be found in Kyoto's district articles
Northern Garden of Ninna-ji Temple



Tatezuna at Kamigamo Shrine

World Heritage SitesEdit



Imperial Palaces and VillasEdit



  • Imperial household Agency Kyoto Office,, 3 Kyotogyoen, Kamigyo-ku, +81-75-211-1215. If an applicant is not successful, they can still go direct in person to the Imperial Household Agency Kyoto Office to enquire whether there are vacancies, as they typically save a few spots for walk-ins. Many people are able to do this successfully for the Imperial Palace, but it can be more of a risk for the others, so go early.


Individual listings can be found in Kyoto's district articles

Public bathsEdit


  • 1 Funaoka Onsen (船岡温泉), Kyoto, Kita Ward, Murasakino Minamifunaokacho 82-1 京都市右京区太秦東蜂岡町10 (take bus line 206 from Kyoto station), +81-75-441-3735. 15:00 - 01:00. Funaoka Onsen is one of the oldest public bath houses in Kyoto still in operation. Its classic building is an excellent example of bath house architecture of the beginning of the 20th century. Funaoka Onsen is popular with both locals and visitors and is a must if you have an hour to spare. ¥430.

Film industryEdit

Kyoto is the traditional home of the Japanese film industry and while it has declined since its heyday in the 1950s, to this day, the majority of Japanese period dramas (時代劇 jidaigeki) continue to be produced in Kyoto.

  • 2 Toei Kyoto Studio Park (東映太秦映画村 tōei uzumasa eigamura), Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Uzumasa Higashihachiokacho 10 (take bus line 75 from Kyoto station), +81-57-006-4349. 09:30 - 16:30. Toei Kyoto Studio Park is an active film studio which continues to be used for the filming of period dramas. Visitors may visit the outdoor sets used in many samurai movies, and if they are lucky, could potentially observe the filming of a period drama. ¥2,200.    



Blossom viewingEdit

Cherry blossomsEdit

Cherry blossoms at Kyoto's Maruyama Park






Plum blossomsEdit


Festivals and eventsEdit

  • Cherry Blossom Season (April 1–15; days vary depending upon the weather) Although viewing the blossoms is enough for many, special events are often held throughout the city. (See "Cherry Blossoms" above)


  • 1 Kyoto University (京都大学 Kyōto daigaku). One of Japan's most prestigious universities, second only to the University of Tokyo. Admissions are extremely competitive, though it may be easier for foreigners on exchange programmes.    


Individual listings can be found in Kyoto's district articles






In the shopping areas adjacent to Kiyomizudera (on the other side of the Kamo River), it is possible to purchase samurai swords and top-of-the-line kimono - though don't be surprised if the prices for either item exceed ¥3,000,000. A brand new kimono can cost as much as a small car - and you may be able to find something just as good at a fraction of the price in one of Kyoto's second-hand kimono stores.



Damascene, a special metal created by imbedding other metals, originated in Damascus, Syria over 2000 years ago and was introduced to Japan in the 8th century. Since then, it has ceased production worldwide with the exception of Kyoto city, which continues producing it today. The technique used to create Kyoto's damascene is quite complex, as it must be corroded, rusted, and boiled in tea, along with inlaying many layers of metal to produce the final product. Visitors can purchase a variety of jewelry, vases, tea utensils, lighters, and other accessories made using this technique.


Individual listings can be found in Kyoto's district articles


Fine diningEdit

If you have a lot of money, Kyoto is considered by most Japanese to be the spiritual home of kaiseki (懐石), which is a meal of many small courses and a quintessential type of Japanese fine dining; in Kyoto this will typically entail a private room with traditional Japanese architecture. Unfortunately, most kaiseki establishments do not accept reservations directly from foreigners, and many require new customers to be introduced by one of their regular diners in order to be allowed to dine there. Your hotel concierge may be able to make a reservation for you if you contact them well in advance, though only the most expensive luxury hotels have the necessary clout to do this. As with anywhere else in Japan, most fine dining establishments do not accept credit cards, and you will have to pay for your meal in cash.

Consider staying at one of Kyoto's top ryokan; elaborate kaiseki dinners are an essential part of a stay in a ryokan, and there are numerous ryokan that are just as well known for their food as their lodging experience. The downside is that most ryokan only accept reservations by phone, so at least conversational Japanese-language ability is essential for you to be able to do so by yourself.




Hijiri, a peach-flavored type of yatsuhashi

Yatsuhashi (八ツ橋) is delicious Kyoto snack, made from rice flour and sugar. There are two types of yatsuhashi: baked and raw. The hard yatsuhashi was originally made using cinnamon, and tastes like a crunchy biscuit. Today, while the biscuits remain the same, you can also buy hard yatsuhashi dipped in macha and strawberry-flavored glazes.



Many tourists find raw yatsuhashi to be a delicious (and very affordable) souvenir, but it only lasts for one week after purchase. Baked yatsuhashi on the other hand, will last for about three months.

Other specialtiesEdit

Other Kyoto specialities include hamo (a white fish served with ume as sushi), tofu (try places around Nanzenji temple), suppon (an expensive turtle dish), kaiseki-ryori (multi-course chef's choice that can be extremely good and expensive), and vegetarian dishes (thanks to the abundance of temples), particularly the vegan shōjin ryōri, which isn't cheap, but has a great reputation for quality.


Individual listings can be found in Kyoto's district articles


If you're looking for nightclubs, Kyoto has a few options, but it is not a city known for its thriving dance clubs. Those hoping to experience that part of Japanese nightlife should consider taking a train to Osaka where many of the clubs are hip and wild enough to rival any Tokyo club. (Alternately, instead of staying in Kyoto and making trips to Osaka, it may make more sense to stay in Osaka and make day trips to Kyoto.)


Some of Kyoto's most famous sake comes from Gekkeikan Brewery in the Fushimi area of Southern Kyoto. A 400-year-old brewery that still produces great sake, Gekkeikan also offers tours of its facilities.


Individual listings can be found in Kyoto's district articles
Budget below ¥11,000
Mid-range ¥11,000–20,000
Splurge over ¥20,000

Kyoto has a wide range of accommodation, much of it geared towards foreign visitors. During peak seasons, such as the cherry blossoms in April or during Golden Week when accommodation is difficult to get, consider staying in Osaka. A 30-minute train ride from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station will cost you ¥540 one way. Since Kyoto is a major tourist destination, demand is high and prices follow suit.


For those who would like to experience traditional Japanese accommodation, Kyoto is home to some of Japan's most luxurious ryokan, though prices are generally very expensive and would make economy-class plane tickets look cheap.

The city of Kyoto charges a hotel tax: for lodging that's less than ¥20,000 per night, the tax is ¥200 per night. It may not be included in the listed rates.


Japanese Style Ryokan

At the bottom of the price scale, many temples in Kyoto own and run their own lodging complex known as shukubō (宿坊), usually on or near temple grounds. Guests are often invited to participate in morning prayer service (otsutome) held at the temple. Unfortunately, most temple lodgings do not have English-speaking receptions, and curfews and check-in/out times tend to be strict. Most are in the northern region of the city.



Internet and manga cafésEdit

Don't fear these places. There is nothing bad about staying in these so-called "last resorts." Remember, though, that most of the time people stay at such places only for a few nights at the most.

As in other Japanese cities, Internet cafés and capsule hotels are available for those truly looking to stay on the cheap. Please expect to pay around ¥2000 for a night's stay in an Internet café. You get a computer, a comfortable chair, and all the tea and hot chocolate you want.

Most places have no separate space for smokers vis-à-vis non-smokers. Manga is usually only in Japanese. These places provide cushions, blankets, and free unlimited soft drinks. Showers are often available. However, there might be an additional charge for using a shower.

Cafés don't keep luggage during the day so either carry it with you every day, find free storage, or use a coin locker (which costs ¥300 - ¥600 per use depending on the location and time duration). As a result, the cost of a night in a café could be similar to a bed in a hostel but without identical amenities.









The price starts at ¥25,000.


Free public Wi-Fi is available in many parts of Kyoto.

Go nextEdit

  • Otsu - home to some great historical temples, Mount Hiei, and one of Lake Biwa's ports.
  • Amanohashidate - literally "the bridge to heaven", it is considered one of Japan's top three scenic views (along with Matsushima in Miyagi prefecture and Miyajima in Hiroshima prefecture). It forms a thin strip of land straddling the Miyazu Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture, hence the name. Visitors are asked to turn their backs toward the view, bend over, and look at it between their legs.
Routes through Kyoto
ENDShin-Osaka  W   E  MaibaraNagoya
TottoriToyooka  W   E  END
KobeOsaka  W   E  OtsuNagoya
KobeIbaraki  W   E  OtsuNagoya

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