Kyoto Subway (京都市営地下鉄)
Kyoto's subway system has two lines: the north-south Karasuma Line (green) and the east-west Tozai Line (red).
History of the Kyoto Subway
The Karasuma Line was the first to be constructed in 1981 and now runs from Kokusaikaikan in the northern suburbs via Kyoto Station to Takeda in the south, where it connects with the Kintetsu Line to Nara.
The Tozai Line, first opened in 1997 and runs from Uzumasa-Tenjingawa from the west via Nijo Station to Rokujizo in the south east of Kyoto.
The Keishin Line runs from Misasagi Station on the Tozai Line in Yamashina to Hamaotsu in Shiga. It is color coded in blue and white.
The two lines intersect at Karasuma Oike. The Tozai Line also connects with the Keihan Line to Osaka at Sanjo Keihan Station.
Karasuma Line stations are coded with a "K" and then a number, thus Kokusaikaikan Station is K01 while Tozai Line stations are coded with a "T" followed by a number, thus Rokujizo Station is T01.
Kyoto's subway is useful for visiting such places as central Kyoto, the Gosho Imperial Palace (Marutamachi Station), Toji Temple (Kujo Station), Daitokuji Temple (Kitaoji Station), Nijo Castle (Nijo Station) and Daigoji Temple (Daigo Station) but visitors will also need to utilize Kyoto's buses, walk or hire a bicycle to get the most out of the city.
Kyoto Subway Fares & Passes
Single fares for adults on the system range from 210-350 yen and 110-170 yen for minors. There are a number of travel cards available.
The Kyoto Sightseeing Pass Card (one day card and two-day card) has been replaced by the Subway, Bus One-Day Pass and the Subway, Bus Two-Day Pass. The passes are valid for the Kyoto subway, Kyoto city buses, Kyoto buses and certain Keihan buses (namely to Yamashina and Daigo). Unlike the Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass (see below), the One- and Two-Day Subway, Bus Passes include Saihoji (Kokedera), Ohara and Iwakura.
The Subway, Bus One-Day Pass is valid only for the day it is issued (not 24 hours) and costs 900 yen for adults and 450 yen for children.
The Subway, Bus Two-Day Pass is valid two consecutive days and costs 1,700 yen for adults and 850 yen for children.
The Kyoto City Subway One-Day Pass allows unlimited travel on Kyoto's metro and costs 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. The Kyoto City Subway One-Day Pass includes discounts on admission to Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Nijo Castle, Kyoto Zoo, The Museum of Kyoto and Kyoto International Manga Museum. *See the official website for a full list of discounts and welcome gifts available at oneday-pass.kyoto
Where to Buy
The above passes are all available at the Kyoto Tourist Information Center (KYO Navi) on the second floor of the Kyoto Station building, Kyoto subway stations, the Bus Information Office outside the main entrance of Kyoto Station, and Kitaoji Bus Terminal.
The Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass allows for unlimited travel on all Kyoto city buses and Kyoto buses within the downtown fixed rate zone (including Arashiyama and Shugakuin, but excluding Kibune, Kurama, Takao, Ohara and Iwakura) and costs 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. It makes sense to buy this pass if you are making three or more bus journeys in a day. The date of use will be imprinted on the back of the ticket when you use it the first time. On subsequent journeys show the date to the driver.
The Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass is available from the Kyoto Station Tourist Information Center, subway station ticket windows, any Kyoto bus and Kyoto City Bus Offices (the Bus Information Office outside the main entrance of Kyoto Station, and Kitaoji Bus Terminal).
[Discontinued April 1 2017*] The pre-paid Surutto Kansai Miyako Card was available in denominations of 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 3,000 yen and 5,000 yen and was valid for travel on the Kyoto subway, Kyoto city buses, and the Hankyu and Keihan urban rail networks.
Although not valid on Kansai's subways, the JR-West Kansai Area Pass can be used on JR trains connecting Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Nishi-Akashi and Himeji as well as the Haruka Express from Kansai International Airport (KIX).
The pass can be bought for 1-day (2300 yen), two successive days (4500 yen), three successive days (5500 yen) and four successive days (6500 yen) - with half price for children (age 12 or under). The JR-West Kansai Area Pass is available from major stations in the Kansai area and overseas branches of JTB, JAL, ANA and major travel agencies. There are slight reductions for booking in advance online.
The pass is not valid on Shinkansen trains.
Full information and online booking form available here: www.westjr.co.jp
If you book online you can pick up your pass at the following stations in the Kansai area from 5.30 am - 11 pm: Kyoto Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station and Kansai International Airport (KIX).
The Traffica Kyo Prepaid Card is a pre-paid travel card available in 1,000 yen and 3,000 yen denominations giving a free bonus of 10% on each card and is valid on Kyoto city subways and buses. The card can be purchased from ticket machines at subway stations as can the Kansai area IC card the ICOCA.
Find more information on Kyoto bus and subway passes.
Kyoto's subway runs from around 5.30 am until 11.55 pm, 7 days a week with reduced services at the weekends and public holidays.
Tunneling was slow during the construction of the two lines to allow time for archeological research on Kyoto's long history. Items of interest found during the construction are displayed at Karasuma Oike Station.
Map of the Kyoto Subway
Kyoto Subway Video
Hotel Accommodation in Kyoto
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Hotels in Kyoto - Booking.com
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Five Star Hotels in Kyoto
Budget Hotels in Kyoto - Booking.com
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Kyoto Tours & Experiences - Voyagin
Shinkansen Tickets From Tokyo to Kyoto
Kyoto Arashiyama, Golden Pavilion Temple, and Kobe MOSAIC Day Tour
Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka/Kyoto
Books on Kyoto Japan
