Kyoto Bus Pass

By Vivienne Mackie

Kyoto, Japan, is a large city with many wonderful sights and sites, some at the periphery of the city. There are 2 subway lines, but by far the best way to get around is by bus. The bus routes are extensive, criss-crossing and circling the city.

A very good option is the day bus pass. They cost 500 yen each (at current exchange rates, about US$6.50), and you can use them as many times as you want that day. Without it, each bus trip costs 220 yen one way, so it soon pays for itself. (Above, front and back of the colorful bus pass)

Buy the bus passes at the main bus office, just outside the main Kyoto train station on the north side. This is also where most of the buses leave from. Check the bus route map the office gives you and also the boards at the bus stops—-all have some English and a good route map of where that bus goes and stops.

In Kyoto, everyone enters at the back of the bus and exits at the front, where you pay the driver or place exact change in a machine. With the bus pass, you stamp it on the machine the first time you exit (driver will guide you), then just show the driver any time you exit after that. At the front of the bus a screen shows in Japanese, and then in English, what the next stop is. And in some buses there’s a recorded message too. Bus 100 is a more touristy bus, passing some of the major sights, and the screen also tells what the sights at each stop are.

A great way to get around this great city.