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HomeJapan Travel GuideKyotoTransportation

    Kyoto Subway

    Passenger sitting in Kyoto Subway
    Kyoto Subway carriage

    Taking Kyoto Subway is comparatively easier than in Tokyo as there are only 2 subway lines here. The 2 lines intersect each other, taking you either from north to south in Kyoto or from east to west. People can transfer from one to the other at Karasuma Oike Station. Every day, Kyoto City Subway runs from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., taking visitors to numerous attractions in Kyoto. In addition, there are many transferring stations on these 2 lines, from which you can transfer to JR trains, Shinkansen or private trains. 


    Two Lines of Kyoto City Subway

    There are 2 lines of Kyoto City Subway: Karasuma Line runs through central Kyoto from south to north, and Tozei Line also runs through Kyoto from east to west. These 2 lines can be transferred

    1. Karasuma Line (13.7 km or 8.5 miles with 15 stations)

    Symbol: “K”
    Running area: from Kokusaikaikan Station to Takeda Station
    The platforms for taking Subway:
      Karasuma Line bounding for Kokusaikaikan Station: platform 2
      Karasuma Line bounding for Takeda Station：platform 1

    Transfer stations:

      JR: Kyoto Station
      Shinkansen: Kyoto Station, Yamashina Station
      Hankyu Railway: Shijo Station
      Kintetsu Railway: Kyoto Station and Takeda Station
      The line continuing southward from Takeda Station: Hankyu Kyoto Line which can be taken at Shijo Station or Takeda Station and it will take you to Nara.
    Waiting time: 
      The average waiting time for a Karasuma train is 2 minutes.
      The running time for the whole line is about 26 minutes.
      Between Kyoto Station and Kokusaikaikan Station (10 stations): about 20 minutes

      Between Takeda Station and Kyoto Station (4 stations): about 6 minutes

    Tourist attractions running by: Nijo Castle, Kyoto-gosho, Nishiki Market, Kyoto Tower, and To-ji Temple

    Tip: Except for Kuramaguchi Station and Kuinabashi Station in the Karasuama Line, you can take the City Bus near all other Subway stations

    The entrance of Hankyu Railway's Kawaramachi Station
    Hankyu Railway's station


    2. Tozai Line (17.5 km or 10.8 miles with 17 stations): 

    Symbol: “T”
    Running area: from Uzumasa Tenjingawa to Rokujizo Station
    Platforms for taking subway: 
      Tozai Line bounding for Rokujizo Station: platform 2 (except for platform 3 at Misasagi Station)
      Tozai Line bounding for Uzumasa Tenjingawa: platform 1
    Transfer stations: 
      JR: Rokujizo Station, Nijo Station
      Keihan Main Line: Misasagi Station, Sanjo Keihan Station
      Randen Railway: Nishiojo Oike Station and Uzumasa Tenjingawa
    Waiting time: 
      The average waiting time for a Tozai train ranges from 2 to 3 minutes.
      The running time for the whole line is about 34 minutes.
      Between Rokujizo Station and Nijo Station: about 30 minutes
      Between Nijo Station and Uzumasa Tenjingawa: about 4 minutes

    Tourist attractions running by: Nijo Castle, Kyoto-gosho, and Nanzen-ji Temple

    Tips: 

      Alternative line for Tozai Line: The stations between Misasagi Station and Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station of Tozai Line is also covered by Keihan Railway, so you can also take this train.

      You can take City Bus at Higashino Station or at any station between Higashiyama Station and Uzumasa Tenjingawa.

    The clean subway platform at one station
    Subway platform


    How to Take Kyoto Subway? 

    There are many ways to take Kyoto City Subway, including buying common tickets, swiping some transportation passes, and using an IC card.

    1. Buying tickets

    Buying tickets on spot is the most common way. Below is the brief price table of Kyoto Subway, and a child ticket is the half price of the adult tickets. Note "child" refers to a kid aging between 6 and 11.

    As for Karasuma Line:

      The whole journey: 330 yen for full price.
      Take Kyoto Station as the departure station or destination
    Between Kyoto Station and Kokusaikaikan Station: 290 yen
    Between Kyoto Station and Takeda Station: 260 yen

    As for Tozai Line:

      The whole journey: 360 yen
      Take Nijo Station as the departure station or destination:
    Between Nijo Station and Rokujizo Station: 360 yen
    Between Nijo Station and Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station: 220 yen

    2. Swiping Passes: 

    There are 4 types of Subway passes in Kyoto, among which the most common one is Kyoto City Subway 1-Day Pass. With this 800-yen pass, you can take all lines of Kyoto Subway timelessly in 1 day. In addition, you can also choose Subway & Bus 1-day Pass, which is 1,100 yen. It saves a lot to travel in central Kyoto. To go to areas far away from central Kyoto, the 1,300-yen Kyoto City Subway and Randen One-day Pass and 2,000-yen Subway & Eiden: Kurama/Libune day trip ticket are worth buying. These 3 passes also support taking subway timelessly in 1 day.

    Related Link: Kyoto Subway Pass


    3. Using IC cards:

    Supported cards by Kyoto Subway include ICOCA or Kansai One Pass, Suica, PASMO, PiTaPa, Kitaca, manaca, TOICA, HAYAKAKEN, nimoca, SUGOCA. If the balance is not enough, please charge it at the subway stations before you pass through the ticket gates.