Using an IC card (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) on a Kyoto City Bus in 2026 follows a "tap-on, tap-off" or "tap-once" system depending on the route. For the Flat Fare buses (green/white) that circulate the city center, you only need to tap your card on the reader next to the driver as you exit through the front door. However, for Multi-Section buses (often traveling to Arashiyama or northern areas), you must tap your card on the reader by the door when you enter through the rear and then tap again at the front as you exit so the system can calculate the correct distance-based fare. In 2026, Kyoto has largely phased out the "one-day bus pass" in favor of IC card usage and the "Bus & Subway Pass." A supportive tip: always ensure you have at least 230 yen on your card before boarding to avoid the "insufficient funds" chime, which can be stressful during the busy 2026 tourist seasons.