The indispensable mode of transportation for exploring Kyoto is the bus, especially when it comes to sightseeing.
In this article, we’ll provide detailed insights into the bus stops at Kyoto Station, the central hub for Kyoto tourism.
We aim to guide you through each stop, route, ticket machines, counters, and more, ensuring you navigate the system effortlessly during your Kyoto adventure.
What are the bus stops in front of Kyoto Station?
The Kyoto Station Bus Terminal, located on the north side of JR Kyoto Station building (Karasuma exit side), is a massive hub for buses.
From the bus stops, you can catch various buses departing from the main Kyoto Station Bus Terminal, including city buses, Kyoto buses, Kyoto Kotsu, and Nishinihon JR Bus, heading to different parts of the city.
(some routes to Yamashina and the southern part of the city depart from the ‘Kyoto Station Hachijo-guchi’ bus stop)
For instance, buses from this Kyoto Station Bus Terminal can take you to major attractions such as Kiyomizu Temple, Gion, Ginkaku-ji, Shijo-Kawaramachi, Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Shimogamo Shrine, and Kamigamo Shrine.
While Kyoto Station Bus Terminal is one of Japan’s largest in terms of scale and frequency, its relatively organized layout allows for smooth navigation, especially if you familiarize yourself with the stops in advance.
On the flip side, buses are widely used, and during peak tourist seasons, there might be delays leading to disruptions in the scheduled timings.
It’s advisable to check the bus routes and stops in advance, as meticulously studying them on the spot might cause you to miss the bus you intended to take.
Confirming the location of the bus stop and the route you need beforehand can help ensure a smoother boarding experience.
Access to Key Areas
Here, we’ll guide you on popular destinations from the Kyoto Station Bus Terminal, highlighting the specific stops and routes.
The bus terminal at Kyoto Station is organized by destination or direction.
However, due to high demand, some heavily used routes have buses departing from different stops heading in the same direction, as one stop may not be sufficient to accommodate the frequency.
Access to Key Areas
- To Kiyomizu-dera and Gion area
- To Shijo-Kawaramachi area
- To Kinkaku-ji area
- To Ginkaku-ji area
- To Arashiyama area
To Kiyomizu-dera and Gion area
To head towards Kiyomizu-dera and Gion from Kyoto Station, please use Bus Stop D2.
The primary options are the 206 and 86 bus routes from Bus Stop D2, with additional temporary services during peak tourist seasons.
Please be aware that buses from Bus Stop D2, specifically the 208 and 88 routes heading towards Tofuku-ji Temple, go in the opposite direction.
They do not provide access to Kiyomizu-dera and Gion areas, so plan accordingly.
To Shijo-Kawaramachi area
To reach the central area of Kyoto at Shijo-Kawaramachi, please use Bus Stop A2.
Buses from Bus Stop A2 all head to Shijo-Kawaramachi Bus Stop.
During the daytime, buses operate at short intervals, providing high convenience.
To Kinkaku-ji area
If you’re heading to Kinkaku-ji, you can easily access it by taking Bus 205 from Bus Stop B3.
Buses run approximately every 8-9 minutes during the daytime for your convenience.
To Ginkaku-ji area
To get to the nearest bus stop for Ginkaku-ji, use Bus Stop A1 for Bus Route 5 or Bus Stop A2 for Bus Route 17.
With both options, there are approximately 8 buses per hour, providing frequent and convenient service.
To Arashiyama area
To head to Arashiyama, all buses depart from Bus Stop C6.
Buses, including City Bus Route 28 and various Kyoto Bus routes (excluding some nighttime services), provide access to bus stops around the Togetsukyo Bridge area.
It’s important to note that City Buses travel northward towards Daikaku-ji, while Kyoto Buses mostly head south from the Arashiyama area towards Koke-dera and Suzumushi-dera.
While all buses can take you to the Togetsukyo Bridge area, if you plan to visit other bus stops in the Arashiyama area, it’s recommended to check the route map and destination information beforehand, as routes and systems can be a bit intricate.
Guide to Each Bus Stop and Route
Guide to Each Bus Stop and Route
- A1 – Heading to Heian Shrine, Okazaki Park, Nanzen-ji, Shisendo, and Shugakuin Imperial Villa (City Bus).
- A2 – Heading to Shijo-Kawaramachi, Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Kamigamo Shrine (City Bus).
- A3 – Heading to Kenkun Shrine, Daitoku-ji, and Takagamine Genko-an (City Bus).
- B1 – Heading to Nishi Hongan-ji, Nijo Castle, Seimei Shrine, Shiramine Shrine, and Kamigamo Shrine (City Bus).
- B2 – Heading to Nijo Castle and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (City Bus).
- B3 – Heading to Aquarium, Railway Museum, Hirano Shrine, and Kinkaku-ji Area (City Bus)
- C1 – Heading to Kujo Bus Depot Area (City Bus)
- C2 – Heading to Katsura Rikyu, Katsura Station, Kameoka, and Hozugawa River Boat Landing (Keihan Kyoto Transportation)
- C3 – Hase and Ohara (Sanzenin and Jakko-in Temples) Direction (Kyoto Bus)
- C4 – Inari Shrine, Jonangu Shrine, Fushimi Area (City Bus)
- C5 – Katsura Rikyu, Rakusei, Movie Village Direction (City Bus)
- C6 – Movie Village, Kurumazaki Shrine, Arashiyama, Daikaku-ji, Kiyotaki, Kokedera, Suzumushi-dera, Mount Hiei Direction (City Bus, Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus)
- D1 – Route Suspension from March 2022 [Caution]
- D2 – Kyoto National Museum, Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Izumiyama-dera, To-ji Temple Direction (City Bus)
- D3 – Myoshinji, Ninna-ji Direction (City Bus)
- JR3 – Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji, Takao (including Jingoji), Shuzan (Keihoku) Direction (West Japan JR Bus)
A1 – Heading to Heian Shrine, Okazaki Park, Nanzen-ji, Shisendo, and Shugakuin Imperial Villa (City Bus).
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Okazaki Park, Heian Shrine via “Ginkaku-ji, Iwakura” (Alternating routes via Gojo-dori and Kawaramachi-dori) | Approximately every 10-12 min |
Key Points:
- For a visit to Ginkaku-ji, we recommend taking Bus Route 5 from here.
- Explore Okazaki area, including Heian Shrine, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, and Kyoto City Zoo, by using Bus Route 5 from this stop.
- Conveniently reach Nanzen-ji by hopping on Bus Route 5.
- Although the travel time is relatively longer, Bus Route 5 is also available for those heading to Shisendo and Shugakuin Imperial Villa.
A2 – Heading to Shijo-Kawaramachi, Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Kamigamo Shrine (City Bus).
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Shijo-Kawaramachi, Kamigamo Shrine via “Kawaramachi-dori” | Approximately every 15-20 minutes |
| 17 | Shijo-Kawaramachi, Ginkaku-ji via “Kawaramachi-dori” | Approximately every 15-20 minutes |
| 205 | Shijo-Kawaramachi, Kitaoji Bus Terminal via “Kawaramachi-dori” | Approximately every 8-9 minutes |
Key Points:
- To reach Shijo-Kawaramachi, use this bus stop.
Routes 4, 17, and 205 operate approximately every few minutes during the daytime. - For Shimogamo Shrine and Kyoto Imperial Palace (east side), take Bus Route 205.
- Access Kamigamo Shrine by using Bus Route 4 directly, although it takes some time.
For a quicker option, consider Bus Route 9 (get off at Kamigamo Miyamae Bridge) or take the subway and then use Bus Routes 3 or 37 via Kitaoji Station (get off at Kamigamo Miyamae Bridge).
A3 – Heading to Kenkun Shrine, Daitoku-ji, and Takagamine Genko-an (City Bus).
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Bukkyo University, Gentaku via “Senbon-dori” | Approximately every 30 minutes |
| 206 | Daitoku-ji, Kitaoji Bus Terminal via “Senbon-dori” | Approximately every 15 minutes |
Key Points:
- For Kenkun Shrine and Daitoku-ji, it’s convenient to use Bus Route 206 from Bus Stop A3.
- Although the frequency is a bit lower, you can also reach Takagamine Genko-an without transfers by using Bus Route 6.
B1 – Heading to Nishi Hongan-ji, Nijo Castle, Seimei Shrine, Shiramine Shrine, and Kamigamo Shrine (City Bus).
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Nijo Castle, Nishikamo Garage via “Horikawa-dori” | Approximately every 12 minutes |
Key Points:
- For Nishi Hongan-ji, Seimei Shrine, and Shiramine Shrine, take Bus Route 9.
- To reach Nijo Castle, you can use Bus Route 9 or alternatively, take Bus Route 50 from Bus Stop B2.
- For Kamigamo Shrine, Bus Route 9 is usually faster than Route 4. Get off at the “Kamigamo Miyamae Bridge” bus stop.
B2 – Heading to Nijo Castle and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (City Bus).
| Route | Destination | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Nijo Castle, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine via “Ritsumeikan University” | Approximately every 15-20 minutes (daytime) |
| Rapid Ritsumeikan | Kitano Hakubai-cho via “Ritsumeikan University” | Primarily operates during school commuting hours |
Key Points:
- For Nijo Castle, you can take Bus Route 9 from Bus Stop B1 or Bus Route 50 from Bus Stop B2.
- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is conveniently accessible using Bus Route 50.
- To reach Hirano Shrine, you can take Bus Route 205 from Bus Stop B3 or Bus Route 50 from Bus Stop B2.
B3 – Heading to Aquarium, Railway Museum, Hirano Shrine, and Kinkaku-ji Area (City Bus)
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 205 | To “Kinkaku-ji & Kitaoji Bus Terminal” via “Nishioji Street” | Approximately every 8-9 minutes |
| 208 | To “Nishioji Station” via “Nishioji Street” | Every 20-30 minutes |
| 86 88 | To “Aquarium & Railway Museum” | About 3 buses per hour on weekends and holidays during the daytime, very few on weekdays |
Key Points:
- If you’re heading to the Kyoto Aquarium by bus, you can use any bus from the B3 platform.
- For the Kyoto Railway Museum, while the JR Sagano Line is convenient, you can also access the museum directly using buses 86 and 88.
- To reach Hirano Shrine, you can take bus 205 or bus 50 from the B2 platform.
- For Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), please take bus 205 from here.
C1 – Heading to Kujo Bus Depot Area (City Bus)
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 205・Express 205 | To “Kujo Bus Depot” | Frequent Service |
C2 – Heading to Katsura Rikyu, Katsura Station, Kameoka, and Hozugawa River Boat Landing (Keihan Kyoto Transportation)
| Route | Destination | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | To “Kameoka Station (Some to Hozugawa River Downstream Boarding Point) via Shichijo Street and Katsura Station” | Approximately every 20-30 minutes (daytime) |
| 14 | To “Nagamine” via Shichijo Street and Katsura Station | Very few services |
| 15 | To “JR Katsura River Station Front” via Shichijo Street and Katsura Station | Operates only on weekends, holidays, and few services |
| 26 26B | To “Katsura Central (Some to Katsura Innovation Park)” via Shichijo Street and Katsura Station | Approximately every 30 minutes (daytime) |
| 28A | To “Kyoto Seisho High School” via Shichijo Street and Katsura Station | Mainly during school hours |
| 21 27 21A | To “Katsura Central (Some to Kyoto Seisho High School)” via Gojo Street | Weekdays about every 20 minutes, weekends and holidays about every 30 minutes (daytime) |
| Direct 93 | Kyoto Research Park 4th Building | Operates as a commuting bus on weekday mornings |
Key Point:
- To reach Katsura Rikyu, you can use various bus routes that pass through Shichijo Street.
C3 – Hase and Ohara (Sanzenin and Jakko-in Temples) Direction (Kyoto Bus)
| Route | Destination | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Special17 | Via Shijo Kawaramachi and Demachiyanagi Station to “Ohara” | Approximately every 30 minutes (during daytime) |
| 18 | Via Higashiyama Street and Shirakawa Street to “Ohara” | Operates only once on Sundays and holidays |
| 18 | To “Takano Garage” | Operates only once on Sundays and holidays |
Key Information:
- For the Hase area and Ohara area (Sanzenin and Jakko-in Temples), take a bus heading to Ohara.
C4 – Inari Shrine, Jonangu Shrine, Fushimi Area (City Bus)
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | To “Toji Nishimon and Minami Ward Office” | Approximately every 30-40 minutes |
| 19 | Via Keihan Highway to “Nakakajima and Yokooji Garage” | Weekdays and Saturdays: Approximately every 60 minutes, Sundays and holidays: Approximately every 120 minutes |
| 42 | Via Nakakuse and JR Katsura River Station to “Hankyu Rakusai-guchi Station” | Approximately every 60 minutes |
| 78 | To “Kuse Industrial Park” | Approximately every 60 minutes |
| 81 | Via Takeda Station East Exit to “Nakakajima and Yokooji Garage” | Approximately every 15-20 minutes |
| South 5 | To “Inari Shrine and Takeda Station East Exit” | Approximately every 30 minutes |
Key Points:
- To visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, take the South 5 bus route. It runs approximately every 30 minutes during the day.
- For Jonangu Shrine, you can use the Kyoto Rakunan Express bus from the subway line or Hachijo entrance, but if you prefer city buses, the 19 route is also available.
- Exploring the Fushimi area is convenient with the 81 bus route.
C5 – Katsura Rikyu, Rakusei, Movie Village Direction (City Bus)
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 33 Special33 | Via Katsura Station East Exit and Sannomiya to “Rakusei Bus Terminal” | Approximately every 30-40 minutes |
| 73 | Via Nishikyogoku and Chiyoharaguchi to “Rakusei Bus Terminal” | Approximately every 20-30 minutes |
| 75 | To “Movie Village and Yamagoe” | Approximately every 45 minutes |
Key Points:
- To reach Katsura Rikyu by city bus, take either the 33 or Special 33 routes.
- For the Toei Uzumasa Eigamura (Kyoto Studio Park), you can use the 75 route and get off at the “Uzumasa Eigamura Michi” bus stop.
Additionally, taking a Kyoto bus from the C6 platform at the station and getting off at “Uzumasa Koryu-ji Mae” is a convenient option due to its frequent schedule.
C6 – Movie Village, Kurumazaki Shrine, Arashiyama, Daikaku-ji, Kiyotaki, Kokedera, Suzumushi-dera, Mount Hiei Direction (City Bus, Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus)
| Route | Destination | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 28 (CityBus) | Via Horikawa Street to “Arashiyama and Daikaku-ji” | Approximately every 20-30 minutes (daytime) |
| 73 (KyotoBus) | Uzumasa Koryu-ji (Movie Village) via “Arashiyama, Kokedera, Suzumushi-dera” | – To Arashiyama: Approximately every 20 minutes (daytime) – To Kokedera Suzumushi-dera: Approximately every 20-40 minutes (daytime) – Few buses to Kiyotaki direction |
| 76 (KyotoBus) | Uzumasa Koryu-ji (Movie Village) via “Arashiyama, Hankyu Arashiyama Station” | |
| 72 (KyotoBus) | Uzumasa Koryu-ji (Movie Village) via “Arashiyama, Kiyotaki” | |
| 83 (KyotoBus) | Via Gojo Street and Uzumasa Koryu-ji (Movie Village) to “Arashiyama, Kokedera, Suzumushi-dera” | |
| 85 (Kyoto Bus) | Via Gojo Street and Uzumasa Koryu-ji (Movie Village) to “Arashiyama, Hankyu Arashiyama Station” | |
| 75 (Kyoto Bus) | Uzumasa Koryu-ji (Movie Village) via “Arisugawa” | |
| Hieizan Drive Bus | To “Hieizan Summit” | Limited frequency, winter closure |
Key Information:
- All buses to Arashiyama depart from the C6 platform.
While it may seem complex with various routes, except for those going to Arisugawa and Hieizan Summit, they generally head to the entire “Arashiyama” area.
Note that the specific bus stops in the Arashiyama area vary by route, so please be attentive. - To visit Daikaku-ji, take the City Bus Route 28; other buses do not provide access.
Route 28 is also convenient for Umemiya Shrine and Matsuo Shrine. - For Koryu-ji and Kurumazaki Shrine, use Kyoto Bus heading to the Arashiyama direction.
- Toei Uzumasa Eigamura (Kyoto Studio Park) can be reached by Kyoto Bus heading to Arashiyama, and Bus Route 75 from Platform C5 is also available.
- Kokedera and Suzumushi-dera are accessible only by Kyoto Bus “Kokedera and Suzumushi-dera” route.
Not all buses to Arashiyama go in that direction. - For the “Kiyotaki” trailhead of Mount Atago, except for direct evening services, buses do not operate from Kyoto Station.
During the day, it’s necessary to transfer buses in the Arashiyama direction.
D1 – Route Suspension from March 2022 [Caution]
As of March 2022, the express buses, such as the Rapid 101 and Rapid 106 routes, departing from this platform to popular tourist destinations like Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Heian Shrine, and Ginkaku-ji have officially ceased operations due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
Going forward, express buses will not be available from this platform.
Please use alternative platforms like the neighboring D2 platform for buses to your desired destinations.
D2 – Kyoto National Museum, Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Izumiyama-dera, To-ji Temple Direction (City Bus)
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 206 | Via Higashiyama Street to “Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Kitaoji Bus Terminal” | Weekdays: Approximately every 7-15 minutes Weekends and holidays: Approximately every 7-8 minutes |
| 208 | Via Higashiyama Street to “Museum, Sanjusangendo” | Approximately every 20-30 minutes |
| 86 | Via Higashiyama Street to “Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, Heian Shrine” | Weekdays: Every 60 minutes Weekends and holidays: Approximately every 30 minutes |
| 88 | Via Higashiyama Street to “To-ji Temple” | Weekends and holidays only: Approximately every 30 minutes |
Key Points:
- To explore the attractions of the Higashiyama area, including Chisen-in, Otani Hombyo, Kiyomizu-dera, Kodai-ji, Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and Chion-in, you can use the 206 and 86 bus routes from here.
There may also be occasional special buses. - For destinations like Sanjusangendo, Kyoto National Museum, and Toyokuni Shrine, besides the mentioned routes, you can also opt for the 208 and 88 bus routes from platform D2.
- To reach To-ji Temple and Izumi-yama Temple, use the 208 and 88 bus routes exclusively.
D3 – Myoshinji, Ninna-ji Direction (City Bus)
| Route | Destination | Frequency (Daytime) |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Via Nishioji Street to “Kitano Shirakumemachi, Goryo Shrine, Ninna-ji, Yamakoshi” | Approximately every 20-30 minutes |
Key Points:
- To visit Myoshinji and Ninna-ji, take bus route 26. However, please note that along the “Kimukake-no-Michi” route, the bus does not go very close to Ryoan-ji, so be mindful of that.
JR3 – Ryoan-ji, Ninna-ji, Takao (including Jingoji), Shuzan (Keihoku) Direction (West Japan JR Bus)
| Destination | Frequency |
|---|---|
| To “Takao, Toganoo” | Approximately every 30 minutes, combined with Shuzan services |
| To “Shuzan (Keihoku)” | Approximately every 60 minutes |
Key Points:
- From the JR3 platform, you can catch the “Takao and Keihoku Line” heading to the mountainous northern part of Kyoto city.
Use this bus to explore attractions like Jingoji, Nishimyoji Temple, and Takayama Temple in the Takao area. - To reach Ryoan-ji, which doesn’t have a direct city bus service, you can take a JR bus.
- For Ninna-ji, you have the option of using either the city bus route 26 or the JR bus.
Note that the nearest bus stop for buses heading to Takao is the “Omuro-ninnaji” bus stop.
Information about One-Day Pass Ticket Vending Machines and Counters
※As of the end of September 2023, the “Bus One-Day Pass” has been discontinued.From now on, you can purchase the “Subway and Bus One-Day Pass” instead.
After the discontinuation of the Bus One-Day Pass, the 1,100 yen “Subway and Bus One-Day Pass” continues to be available.
This pass provides extensive coverage, allowing you to use buses to destinations such as Ohara, Takao, Yamashina, and Rakusei.
It’s a great value for unlimited rides.
You can purchase the “Subway and Bus One-Day Pass” at multiple ticket vending machines around the Kyoto Station bus terminal, as well as at the comprehensive bus information center in front of Kyoto Station and at Kyoto Station’s subway station.
The information provided below regarding ticket vending machines is based on the situation before the discontinuation of the Bus One-Day Pass.
Please note that the status of ticket vending machines may have changed after the discontinuation, when only the Subway and Bus One-Day Pass is available.
Ticket vending machines located on the south side of the bus stop, near “D1 platform” (the most easily accessible).
For those using the bus, the most convenient and easily accessible ticket vending machines for “One-Day Pass” options are located just south of the D1 bus platform (immediately north after exiting from JR Kyoto Station Central Exit).
There are several ticket vending machines lined up, making it relatively easy for you to purchase tickets smoothly.
However, please note that children’s tickets may be sold out at times.
In such cases, you can purchase them at the bus information center located to the east.
Other Ticket Vending Machines
Inside the bus terminal, you can find ticket vending machines, and there are also machines for daily passes at the A and B boarding areas.
On the north side of Kyoto Station’s bus terminal, you’ll also find ticket vending machines. They are located near the C6 boarding area for Arashiyama and close to the C3 boarding area for Ohara. You can purchase tickets at these locations as well.
Bus Information Center and Bus Ticket Center
At the D1 bus stop, just east of the ticket machines for the daily passes, you’ll find the “Bus Information Center and Bus Ticket Center.”
This center not only sells various bus tickets related to Kyoto but also serves as an information hub.
If the ticket machines are sold out or for any other assistance, you can also purchase your daily pass at the counter here.
Accessing the bus stops from each “Kyoto Station.”
From JR Kyoto Station (conventional lines)
From JR Kyoto Station (conventional lines), it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to walk north to Kyoto Station Bus Terminal for transferring.
Once you get off the train, follow the signs for the “Central Exit” and take the stairs or escalator to go up to the connecting passage or concourse.
After reaching the concourse at the top of the stairs or escalator, you can exit from the “West Exit” gates right away. However, for a smoother transition to the bus platforms, it’s advisable to head towards the north side (Central Exit).
In the north part of the concourse, you’ll find stairs and escalators leading down towards the Central Exit.
Head in that direction for easy access.
After descending the stairs or escalator, you will emerge along Platform 0 at Kyoto Station.
To the north of Platform 0, there is the Central Exit gate, so please exit from there.
Once you pass through the gate, you’ll encounter the expansive atrium space of Kyoto Station building. Just walk through it, and you’ll find the bus terminal right away.
When you reach the station square, you’ll see the Kyoto Station Bus Terminal right in front of you.
From JR Kyoto Station (Shinkansen) or Kintetsu Kyoto Station
From JR Kyoto Station (Shinkansen), it takes about a 10-minute walk to transfer to Kyoto Station Bus Terminal to the north.
If you’re using the Shinkansen, please use the central ticket gate.
Once you exit the central ticket gate, you’ll see Kintetsu Kyoto Station right in front of you.
However, please head to the right (north side).
If you’re using Kintetsu Kyoto Station, the transfer time is approximately 10 minutes.
Once you exit the Kintetsu ticket gate, you’ll see the central gate of the Shinkansen (bullet train) in front of you.
Head to the left.
When you exit from the central gate of the Shinkansen, go to the right.
If you exit from the Kintetsu Kyoto Station gate, go to the left.
You’ll find stairs and escalators leading to the north-south free passage towards Karasuma Exit (Bus Terminal).
Take them up.
Once you go up the stairs or escalator and reach the north-south free passage, simply continue straight toward the north.
Once you pass through the north-south free passage, go down the stairs or escalator to reach the station square.
When you reach the station square, the bus terminal is immediately to the north.
To get to the bus stops, walk eastward across the square for a short distance.
A short walk ahead, you’ll soon arrive at the area with the bus stops.
From Kyoto Subway Station
From Kyoto Subway Station, it takes about 5 to 8 minutes to walk to Kyoto Station Bus Terminal on the west side.
While you may not need to transfer much, if you’re using the subway, please use the stairs or escalator in the middle of the platform and exit through the central ticket gate.
To reach the bus gate, follow the signs for “Buses” at the ticket gate, and it’s convenient to exit from the opposite side of the “Central 1 Exit” sign (the side opposite the escalator, looking to the left).
Once you exit the ticket gate, please proceed a short distance to your right (north side) and use Exit 6 to go up to the ground level.
When you reach the ground level, you will emerge on the east side of the bus information center. To access the bus platforms, please proceed to the opposite side (west side) of the information center.
Once you pass by the information center, you will quickly reach the area with the bus platforms.
Conclusion
The Kyoto Station Bus Terminal, boasting one of Japan’s largest bus terminals, is located on the north side (Karasuma Exit) of Kyoto Station.
There are a total of 16 platforms for city buses alone, labeled A1 to A3, B1 to B3, C1 to C6, D1 to D3, and JR3. It’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the platform numbers in advance for easier use.
Typical transfer times to buses are around 5-10 minutes from JR conventional lines and subway lines, and approximately 10 minutes for those using JR Shinkansen or Kintetsu lines.
While there are bus terminals at Kyoto Station’s Hachijo Exit, most of the city’s major attractions are accessible from the Kyoto Station Bus Terminal on the Karasuma Exit side.
For instance, destinations like Kiyomizu Temple, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), Heian Shrine, Okazaki Park, Shimogamo Shrine, Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Sanjusangendo, Chion-in, Kyoto Aquarium, Kyoto Railway Museum, Ohara, and Takao are easily reachable from this bus terminal.
Around the bus platforms, you’ll find information centers, ticket counters, and ticket vending machines for the “Subway and Bus 1-Day Pass.”