Can I go to Kyoto with JR Pass?

Getting from Tokyo to Kyoto with the Japan Rail Pass is easy. You should take the Shinkansen Hikari bullet train from either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station in central Tokyo, and arrive at Kyoto Station. Three trains run on the Tokaido Shinkansen line: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama.



Yes, you can absolutely go to Kyoto using the Japan Rail (JR) Pass, and it is one of the most popular ways to reach the city. From Tokyo, you would take the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) directly to Kyoto Station, a journey of about 2 to 2.5 hours. It is important to remember that while the pass covers the "Hikari" and "Kodama" trains, it does not cover the "Nozomi" or "Mizuho" trains unless you purchase a special supplemental ticket. Once you are in Kyoto, your JR Pass can also be used on local JR lines, such as the JR Nara Line (for Fushimi Inari Shrine) and the JR Sagano Line (for Arashiyama). However, the pass will not work on the Kyoto City Subway lines or the extensive private bus network that many tourists use to get around the city. Because much of Kyoto's most famous sites are accessed via non-JR transport, you will likely need to supplement your JR Pass with an IC card (like Suica or Pasmo) for local city travel, but for the major journey into and out of the city, the JR Pass is highly efficient.

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The Nara Line to Nara, Uji, and Inari Station (close to the Fushimi Inari Shrine) The Sanin Main Line, also called the Sagano Line, which connects to Saga-Arashiyama, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the Sagano Scenic Railway (not included with the JR Pass).

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Validity. The pass is valid on almost all trains operated on the nationwide network of JR (Japan Railways), including shinkansen, limited express, rapid and local trains. The map below shows the major train lines that are covered by the pass.

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With your Japan Rail Pass The quickest way to travel from Kyoto to Osaka is via the Shinkansen. At Kyoto Station, Japan Rail Pass holders can board the Hikari and Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line for free, and arrive to Shin-Osaka Station after only a 15-minute ride.

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With your Japan Rail Pass The cities of Tokyo and Kyoto are linked to each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. A one-way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station on a Hikari or Kodama train costs 13,080 yen (unreserved seat) or 13,800 yen (reserved seat), but is completely free with a JR Pass.

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The Japan Rail Pass is valid only on a portion of the travel from Tokyo to Mount Fuji. At Shinjuku Station, take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station. This leg takes around 1 hour, and is covered by your JR Pass. At Otsuki Station, you must transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line to reach Kawaguchiko Station.

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The shinkansen (bullet train) is the best way to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto. It takes around 2 hours and 15 minutes and costs Y13,080 between Tokyo and Kyoto(non-reserved seat). You don't need to reserve seats on the shinkansen if you travel outside of peak travel hours and outside of peak travel seasons.

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Yes, the Japan Rail Pass is valid for the entire line and all JR lines branching of it. Using your pass to explore Osaka this way, is a very cost-efficient option.

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The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for any seats, reserved or non-reserved, on “NOZOMI” and “MIZUHO” trains on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen lines. (The pass holders must take “HIKARI,” “SAKURA,” “KODAMA,” or “TSUBAME” trains.)

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We recommend that you book your JR Pass from Klook at least 2 weeks before your trip to Japan. This allows enough wiggle room in the validity period of your Exchange Order. You can't purchase your JR Pass more than 3 months before your trip, as it's past the validity period of your Exchange Order.

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For a limited time only, you can buy a Japan Rail Pass from certain train stations and airports in Japan. Travelers should be aware it is more expensive to buy a JR Pass in Japan than to purchase the pass online.

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If you calculate that your travel costs will be lower if you buy individual tickets for each journey, then it's not worth buying a JR Pass. However, if you take into account journeys on Shinkansen high-speed trains or other means of transport, the savings you make become substantial.

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With your pass, you can take unlimited rides on most shinkansen (bullet trains), as well as on rapid, express and local JR trains. Outside urban centers such as Tokyo and Osaka, the pass is best used to cover distance, as it does not include municipal subways and private suburban lines.

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Kyoto is quite far, can you do a day trip from Tokyo? Absolutely! From Tokyo to Kyoto, the best mode of transportation is through the shinkansen or bullet train. The Nozomi line takes approximately 3 hours one way and costs about 13,000 yen one way per person.

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With a medium stay of 4-5 days in Kyoto, you'll have the opportunity to delve deeper into the city's rich history and culture. This extended duration allows you to venture beyond the most famous attractions and explore some of Kyoto's lesser-known gems.

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The JR pass is only worth it if you travel through different cities, if you are just travelling to Tokyo to Kyoto for example, I would just pay on the Suica. You can do the online calculator or just use google to calculate which trip is easier - paying individually on Suica or getting a JR Pass.

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All Shinkansen trains are covered by the JR Pass. The Nozomi and Mizuho high-speed trains (Tokaido and Sanyo lines) are also included, subject to purchase of a special complementary ticket. JR Pass holders wishing to travel free on these lines can board local and semi-fast trains.

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How to Get from Tokyo to Kyoto. Kyoto is 283 miles (445 km) from Tokyo, but you can get from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over two hours if you travel on a high-speed shinkansen (bullet train). By air, the journey will take about three hours, including ground transportation.

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