How to get from Osaka to Kyoto?The best way to 5 famous sightseeing spots

Hi,I’m Keiko from Osaka!

Kyoto is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Japan.

There are thousands of historical temples and shrines with old-Japan atmosphere in Kyoto.

I think many of the tourists use JR Kyoto station to go to the central area of Kyoto City for sightseeing.

However,there are multiple ways to travel from Osaka to Kyoto.

JR Kyoto station is located far from famous sightseeing spots such as Golden Pavillion(Kinkaku-ji) or Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto.

It is sometimes better to use Hankyu Rail Way or Keihan Railway depending on your destination in Kyoto.

I would like to tell you the best way to go to famous sightseeing spots in Kyoto!

How to get from Osaka to Kyoto?The best way to 5 famous sightseeing spots

First of all,let me explain about three main lines to travel from Osaka to Kyoto.

JR Kyoto line

JR Kyoto line is the fastest and most expensive way to travel Kyoto station from Osaka.

As I mentioned above, Some famous sightseeing spots are located far from JR Kyoto station.

However,it’s convenient to travel other major cities such as Tokyo or Nagoya since it’s on the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Line.

JR Osaka-JR Kyoto station:
Time required:29 minutes Fare:560 yen

Hankyu Kyoto line

Hankyu Kyoto line runs between Umeda and Kawaramachi Station in Kyoto.

I like Hankyu Kyoto line the best because I can enjoy the beautiful views during the trip,and it provides me cheapest way into central Kyoto with old-Japan atmosphere.

Gion area and Nishiki-ichiba Market is a walking distance from Kawaramachi station.

Hankyu Umeda-Hankyu Kawaramachi station:
Time required:43 minutes Fare:400 yen

Keihan Main Line

Keihan main line runs between Yodoyabashi station in Osaka and last stop,Demachiyanagi Station in Kyoto.

Sanjo Keihan Station is in the center of Kyoto, you can easily access to Fushimi Inari Shrine or Silver Pavilion(Ginkakuji) using Keihan Main line.

Keihan Yodoyabashi Osaka -Sanjo Keihan Station Kyoto :
Time required:51 minutes Fare:410 yen

1.The best way to Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Shrine ranked as Number 1 on Trip Advisor’s Popular Japanese Tourist Spots for foreign tourists.

It is amazing to walk through the thousands of tunnel of torii gates at this shrine.

There are two ways to go to Fushimi Inari Shrine from Osaka,using JR Kyoto line or Keihan Main line.

JR Kyoto line

From JR Osaka Station,take JR Kyoto line to JR Kyoto station and change to JR Nara Line local train to Inari station.
Hankyu Umeda-Hankyu Inari station:
Time required:53 minutes Fare:840 yen

By Keihan Main Line

From Umeda station, take Subway Midosuji line to Yodoyobashi station(180 yen)and change to Keihan Main line Limited Express bound for Demachiyanagi to Tanbabashi station.

From there, change to Keihan Line local train to Fushimi Inari station(400 yen).
Subway Umeda-Keihan Fushimi inari station:
Time required:59 minutes Total Fare:580yen

2.The best way to Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)

Golden Pavilion is one of the symbol of Kyoto.

It is completely covered in gold leaf and is surrounded by beautiful traditional Japanese gardens.

It is located in the northwestern parts of Kyoto, a walk distance form Ryoan-ji, which is famous for its rock garden and Ninnaji Temple,which is famous for its pagoda and late- flowering cherry trees.

There are two ways to go to Golden Pavilion from Osaka using JR Kyoto line or Hankyu Kyoto line.

By JR Kyoto line

Take Special Rapid Service from JR Osaka Station to JR Kyoto station(560 yen)

From there,take bus numbers 101 or 205 to the Kinkaku-ji Michi bus stop(35 min.230yen)

After about 5 minutes of walking, you will come to Golden Pavilion!

JR Osaka-Golen Pavilion:
Total Time required:70 minutes Total Fare:790yen

By Hankyu Kyoto line.

Take Hankyu railway’s rapid express bound for Kawaramachi station from Umeda station and get off at Saiin Station(40 min.400yen)

Don’t take Hankyu limited express because it doesn’t stop at Saiin station.

Walk on the pedestrian crossing with your back to the station and you’ll find the bus stop for the Golden Pavilion.

Take the bus number 205 and the 9th stop is Kinkakuji(Golden Pavilion) station(17 min.230 yen)

After about 5 minutes of walking, you will come to Golden Pavilion.
Hankyu Umeda-Golen Pavilion:
Total Time required:70 minutes Total Fare:790yen

3.The best way to Arashiyama

Arashiyama is must-visit sightseeing spot when you are travelling in Kyoto.

There are many famous sightseeing spots such as Bamboo Grove,TogetuKyo Bridge and Sagano Scenic Railway.

Walking through the beautiful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a great experience.

If you comes to Japan in spring or in autumn,it is the best season to ride Sagano Scenic Railway to see the cherry blossom and autumn leaves in Arashiyama.

By JR Kyoto line

Take JR Kyoto line Special Rapid Service and get off at Kyoto station.

From Kyoto station,take the JR Sagano/San-in Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station.
JR Osaka -Arashiyama :
Time required:60 minutes Total Fare:970 yen

By Hankyu Kyoto line

Take Hankyu limited express or Rapid express bound for Kawaramachi station to Katsura station and change to Hankyu Arashiyama Line to Arashiyama station.

※Don’t take a train bound for Kitasenri station
Hankyu Umeda -Arashiyama :
Time required:47 minutes Fare:400yen

4.The best way to Silver Pavilion(Ginkaku-ji)

I personally prefer Silver Pavilion to Golden Pavilion since the it’s garden is so beautiful.

There are many sightseeing spots such as Philosopher’s Path ,Nanzenji and Hounenin around this area.

It’s amazing to walk along this peaceful path to temples.

I highly recommend a walk along the Philosopher’s Path to Silver Pavilion if you come to this area.

There are two ways to go to Silver Pavilion from Osaka,using JR Kyoto line or Keihan Main line.

By JR Kyoto line

Take JR Kyoto line Special Rapid Service and get off at Kyoto station(29 min.560 yen)

From Kyoto station,take Kyoto City Bus Number 5 or 17 from for Ginkakuji-michi bus stop(40min.230 yen)

After about 10 minutes of walking, you will come to Silver Pavilion.

JR Osaka Station to Silver Pavilion :
Total Time required:80 minutes Total Fare:790 yen

By Keihan Main line

From Umeda station, take Subway Midosuji line to Yodoyobashi station(180 yen)and change to take Keihan express and get off at Demachiyanagi station in Kyoto(55 min.470 yen)

From there, you can take Kyoto city bus number 17 or 203 or 102 to Ginkakuji Michi Bus Stop(230 yen)

After about 10 minutes of walking, you will come to Silver Pavilion.
Umeda Station to Silver Pavilion :
Total Time required:80 minutes Total Fare:880yen

5.The best way to Kiyomizu temple

Kiyomizu Temple is UNESCO World Heritage listed.

The temple and its stage offer a spectacular view of cherry blossom in spring and red leaves in autumn.

It is said 4.5 million visitors or tourists come to Kiyomizu Temple every year.

There are three ways to go to Kiyimizu temple from Osaka.

By JR Kyoto line

From JR Osaka station,take JR Kyoto line Special Rapid Service and get off at Kyoto station(29 min.560 yen)

From Kyoto station,take Kyoto City Bus Number 100 or 206 to kiyomizu-michi bus stop(11min.230 yen)

After about 15 minutes of walking, you will come to Kiyomizu temple.
JR Osaka Station to Kiyomizu temple :
Total Time required:60 minutes Total Fare:790 yen

By Hankyu Kyoto line.

Take Hankyu limited express to Kawaramachi station(47min.400 yen)

From there,take the bus number 206 or 207 to kiyomizu-michi bus stop(10min.230 yen)

After about 15 minutes of walking, you will come to Kiyomizu temple.
Hankyu Umeda to Kiyomizu temple :
Total Time required:75 minutes Total Fare:630 yen

By Keihan Main Line

From Umeda station, take Subway Midosuji line to Yodoyobashi station(180 yen) and change to Keihan Main line Limited Express to Gion-shijyo station(49 min.410 yen)

From there, take Kyoto City Bus Number 207 to kiyomizu-michi bus stop(11min.230 yen)

After about 15 minutes of walking, you will come to Kiyomizu temple.
Time required:75 minutes,Total　Fare:640yen

Tips

It is cheaper to purchase City Bus & Kyoto Bus One-day Pass Card if you are on board more than 3 times.The normal fare of bus is 230 yen.
1-day : 500 yen

JR Kyoto line and Hankyu Kyoto line provide easy access to tourist attractions in western Kyoto,and Keihan Main line provides easy access to eastern Kyoto.

I hope you have a comfortable trip to Kyoto!

If you want to get shinkansen bullet train day tickets in between Osaka/Kyoto with a private guide,please visit here:Voyagin


If you want to explore the back-streets of Gion and Ponto-cho, Try this Kyoto Bar Hopping Food Tour with MagicalTrip.

They will help you navigate through hidden izakaya bars in the backstreets that hard to find and enjoy various types of Kyoto local food and drinks!


Click here for related information:
Local Guide:10 Things to do near Kyoto Station!
Local tells Top 5 best ramen Restaurants around JR Kyoto station!
Top 5 Must-Try restaurants around JR Kyoto station!Enjoy authentic local foods!