Kyoto Municipal Subway — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

Kyoto Municipal Subway Information

As its name suggests, the Kyoto Municipal Subway operates in the city of Kyoto, Japan. It started operating in 1981 and has been an important means of public transport ever since. The subway system operates on 2 lines, the Green Line and the Vermilion Line, and serves a total of 31 stations. The 31.2 km long rapid transit system is operated by the Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau.

Referred to as the Kyoto Municipal Subway, this transport system is a central part of everyday life in Kyoto, serving 345,000 passengers daily. The subway does not offer 24-hour service, but operates from 5:30am to 00:00am (M-D).

Unfortunately, the system does not have air conditioning. However, passengers are allowed to walk between platforms and screen doors are installed on the Tozai line. There are no driverless trains.

The subway runs at an average speed of 75 km/h. Fares are reasonable, ranging from 210-350 yen per trip.

Kyoto Municipal Subway Map

Map of Kyoto Municipal Subway showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Kyoto Municipal Subway map in PDF format.

Lines and Stations

The Kyoto metro system has two operating lines that connect the city from east to west and from north to south. These lines cover a total distance of approximately 30 kilometres and connect various residential areas with the city centre. The system has a total of 32 stations and has a significant daily ridership, representing over a quarter of Kyoto’s total population.

Karasuma Line

The Karasuma Line is managed by the Kyoto Municipal Transport Bureau, which is responsible for public transport in the city. This line is identified by the colour green on subway maps. Its stations are marked with the letter “K” followed by a number, providing an easy method of identification. The line is 13.7 kilometres long and connects the north and south of Kyoto. From Sakyō-ku in the north to Fushimi-ku in the south, the line consists of 15 commercial stations.

Stations:

Kokusaikaikan Station (国際会館): Located in the Sakyo-ku neighborhood in the north of the city, identified as “K-01”.
Matsugasaki Station (松ヶ崎): Located in the Sakyo-ku neighborhood in the north of the city, identified as “K-02”.
Kitayama Station (北山): Located in the Kita-ku neighborhood in the north of the city, identified as “K-03”.
Kitaōji Station (北大路): Located in the Kita-ku neighborhood in the north of the city, identified as “K-04”.
Kuramaguchi Station (鞍馬口): Located in the Kamigyō-ku neighborhood, close to the downtown area, identified as “K-05”.
Imadegawa Station (今出川): Located in the Kamigyō-ku neighborhood, close to the downtown area, identified as “K-06”.
Marutamachi Station (丸太町): Located in the Nakagyō-ku neighborhood in the city center, identified as “K-07”.
Karasuma Oike Station (烏丸御池): Located in the Nakagyō-ku neighborhood in the city center, identified as “K-08”.
Shijō Station (四条): Located in the Shimogyō-ku neighborhood in the city center, identified as “K-09”.
Gojō Station (五条): Located in the Shimogyō-ku neighborhood in the city center, identified as “K-10”.
Kyoto Station (京都): Located in the Shimogyō-ku neighborhood in the city center, identified as “K-11”.
Kujō Station (九条): Located in the Minami-ku neighborhood in the south of the city, identified as “K-12”.
Jūjō Station (十条): Located in the Minami-ku neighborhood in the south of the city, identified as “K-13”.
Kuinabashi Station (くいな橋): Located in the Fushimi-ku neighborhood in the south of the city, identified as “K-14”.
Takeda Station (竹田): Located in the Fushimi-ku neighborhood in the south of the city, identified as “K-15”.

Tōzai Line

The Tōzai Line serves areas from the southwest to the eastern and western ends of Kyoto, with a total of 17 stations. It has been in operation since 12 October 1997 and serves approximately 120,000 passengers daily. With a track length of 17.5 kilometres, there are currently no expansion plans. The line is easily identified by its distinctive orange colour on metro maps, and stations along the line have a “T” prefix for identification.

Stations:

Rokujizō Station (六地蔵駅): Located in the Uji neighborhood to the southeast of the city, identified as “T-01”.
Ishida Station (石田駅): Located in the Fushimi-ku neighborhood to the south of the city, identified as “T-02”.
Daigo Station (醍醐駅): Located in the Fushimi-ku neighborhood to the south of the city, identified as “T-03”.
Ono Station (小野駅): Located in the Yamashina-ku neighborhood to the southeast of the city, identified as “T-04”.
Nagitsuji Station (椥辻駅): Located in the Yamashina-ku neighborhood to the southeast of the city, identified as “T-05”.
Higashino Station (東野駅): Located in the Yamashina-ku neighborhood to the southeast of the city, identified as “T-06”.
Yamashina Station (山科駅): Located in the Yamashina-ku neighborhood to the southeast of the city, identified as “T-07”.
Misasagi Station (御陵駅): Located in the Yamashina-ku neighborhood to the southeast of the city, identified as “T-08”.
Keage Station (蹴上駅): Located in the Higashiyama-ku neighborhood to the east of the city, identified as “T-09”.
Higashiyama Station (東山駅): Located in the Higashiyama-ku neighborhood to the east of the city, identified as “T-10”.
Sanjō Keihan Station (三条京阪駅): Located in the Higashiyama-ku neighborhood to the east of the city, identified as “T-11”.
Kyōto Shiyakusho-mae Station (京都市役所前駅): Located in the Nakagyō-ku neighborhood in the city’s downtown area, identified as “T-12”.
Karasuma Oike Station (烏丸御池駅): Located in the Nakagyō-ku neighborhood in the city’s downtown area, identified as “T-13”.
Nijōjō-mae Station (二条城前駅): Located in the Nakagyō-ku neighborhood in the city’s downtown area, identified as “T-14”.
Nijō Station (二条駅): Located in the Nakagyō-ku neighborhood in the city’s downtown area, identified as “T-15”.
Nishiōji Oike Station (西大路御池駅): Located in the Nakagyō-ku neighborhood in the city’s downtown area, identified as “T-16”.
Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station (太秦天神川駅): Located in the Ukyō-ku neighborhood to the west of the city, identified as “T-17”.

Connections

Several Kyoto Metro stations are strategically located to provide seamless connections to various bus stops throughout the city. These connections greatly facilitate movement and commuting. Here are some notable stations that offer connections to other forms of public transport.

Karasuma Line

Kokusaikaikan Station: This station is connected to bus lines 5, 31, 65, 24, 26, 46, 29, 40, 45, 19, 50 and 52.
Kitayama Station: This station is served by bus lines 4, 8, 45, 46 and 30.
Kitaōji Station: Passengers can transfer to bus lines 3, 204, 206, 1, 37, 205, 8, 101, 102, M1, 30, 32, 34, 35, 45 and 46.
Marutamachi Station: This station provides access to bus lines 10, 51, 65, 93, 202, 204, and 45.
Karasuma Oike Station: In addition to connecting with the “T-13” station of the Tōzai line, it provides access to bus lines 15, 51, 65, 45, 62, 63, 64, 66 and 67.
Kyoto Station: It is connected to numerous bus lines including 5, 4, 17, 104, 205, 206, 9, 50, 101, 86, 88, 103, 110, 208, 14, 15, 26, 28, 21, 27, 26B, 28A, 21A, 18, 19, 22, 78, 81 and 33. In addition, it provides connections to Central Japan Railway Company, West Japan Railway Company, and Kintetsu Railway for mid-distance and long-distance trains.
Kujō Station: This station provides access to bus lines 16, 202, 207, 26, 19, 71, 78, 81, 88 and 208.
Takeda Station: Passengers can transfer to bus lines 81, 105, 5, 8, 2, 10, 18, 1, 3, 6, 24 and 24A at this station. It also connects to the Kintetsu Railway.

Tōzai Line

Rokujizō Station: This station connects to bus lines 101, 108, 118, 138, 128, 22, 22A, 8, 3, 87A, 87B, 88B, 100, 107, 117 and 127. It also provides transfers to the Keihan Uji Line and West Japan Railway Company.
Daigo Station: It is served by bus lines 2, 3, 6, 83, 84, 87A, 87B and 88B.
Yamashina Station: Passengers can transfer to bus lines 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 24A, 26, 26A, 28A, 29, 29A, 45, 47 and 48. It also provides connections to the West Japan Railway Company and Keihan Electric Railway.
Misasagi Station: This station provides access to bus lines 17 and 19, and also connects with the Keihan Electric Railway.
Higashiyama Station: It is served by bus lines 5, 12, 31, 46, 201, 202, 203, 206, 86 and 110.
Sanjō Keihan Station: This station connects to the Keihan Railway.
Kyōto Shiyakusho-mae Station: This station provides access to bus lines 4, 5, 10, 15, 17, 32, 37, 51, 59, 104 and 205.
Karasuma Oike Station: In addition to its connection with the Karasuma line, it provides access to bus lines 15, 51, 65, 45, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67.
Nijō Station (Airport): This station is served by bus lines 18, 58, 69, 6, 15, 46, 55, 69, 201, 206, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67. It also provides connections to the West Japan Railway Company.
Nishiōji Oike Station: Passengers can transfer to bus lines 26, 27, 75, 91, 202, 203 and 205 at this station.
Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station: This station provides access to bus lines 8, 11, 27, 70, 71, 75, 80, 84 and 93.

Fares

Kyoto Metro fares are based on the number of zones a passenger travels through. The zones range from one to five. Detailed information can be found on the metro’s official website. Passengers can pay their fare with a disposable ticket or a rechargeable IC card.

Single-ride Ticket (Adult)

These tickets are valid for a single journey and the price varies depending on the number of zones covered.

1 Zone: 210 JPY (Approx. 1.89 USD).
2 Zones: 260 JPY (Approx. 2.34 USD).
3 Zones: 290 JPY (Approx. 2.61 USD).
4 Zones: 320 JPY (Approx. 2.88 USD).
5 Zones: 350 JPY (Approx. 3.15 USD).

Single-ride Ticket (Children)

These tickets are valid for a single journey for children, and the price is based on the number of zones covered.

1 Zone: 110 JPY (Approx. 0.99 USD).
2 Zones: 130 JPY (Approx. 1.17 USD).
3 Zones: 150 JPY (Approx. 1.35 USD).
4 Zones: 160 JPY (Approx. 1.44 USD).
5 Zones: 180 JPY (Approx. 1.62 USD).

One-day Pass

These passes offer unlimited travel on the Kyoto subway for a single day, with no zone limitations.

Adults: 600 JPY (Approx. 5.40 USD).
Children: 300 JPY (Approx. 2.70 USD).

Monthly Commutation Ticket

This plan, available for IC Card users, provides unlimited journeys on the Kyoto subway for one month.

1 Zone: 9,070 JPY (Approx. 81.99 USD).
2 Zones: 10,800 JPY (Approx. 97.63 USD).
3 Zones: 12,100 JPY (Approx. 109.38 USD).
4 Zones: 13,390 JPY (Approx. 121.05 USD).
5 Zones: 14,690 JPY (Approx. 132.80 USD).

Quarterly Commutation Ticket

This plan, available for IC Card users, provides unlimited journeys on the Kyoto subway for three months.

1 Zone: 25,850 JPY (Approx. 233.68 USD).
2 Zones: 30,780 JPY (Approx. 278.25 USD).
3 Zones: 34,490 JPY (Approx. 311.79 USD).
4 Zones: 38,170 JPY (Approx. 345.06 USD).
5 Zones: 41,870 JPY (Approx. 378.50 USD).

Semi-Annual Commutation Ticket

This plan, available for IC Card users, provides unlimited journeys on the Kyoto subway for six months.

1 Zone: 48,980 JPY (Approx. 442.78 USD).
2 Zones: 58,320 JPY (Approx. 527.21 USD).
3 Zones: 65,340 JPY (Approx. 590.67 USD).
4 Zones: 72,310 JPY (Approx. 653.68 USD).
5 Zones: 79,330 JPY (Approx. 717.14 USD).

School Commute: Monthly Pass

This plan, available for college and secondary school students with IC Cards, offers unlimited journeys on the Kyoto subway for one month.

College students

1 Zone: 6,480 JPY (Approx. 58.58 USD).
2 Zones: 7,710 JPY (Approx. 69.70 USD).
3 Zones: 8,640 JPY (Approx. 78.11 USD).
4 Zones: 9,570 JPY (Approx. 86.51 USD).
5 Zones: 10,490 JPY (Approx. 94.83 USD).

Secondary school students

1 Zone: 5,180 JPY (Approx. 46.83 USD).
2 Zones: 6,170 JPY (Approx. 55.78 USD).
3 Zones: 6,910 JPY (Approx. 62.47 USD).
4 Zones: 7,650 JPY (Approx. 69.16 USD).
5 Zones: 8,390 JPY (Approx. 75.85 USD).

School Commute: Quarterly Pass

This plan, available for college and secondary school students with IC Cards, offers unlimited journeys on the Kyoto subway for three months.

College students

1 Zone: 18,470 JPY (Approx. 166.97 USD).
2 Zones: 21,980 JPY (Approx. 198.70 USD).
3 Zones: 24,630 JPY (Approx. 222.66 USD).
4 Zones: 27,280 JPY (Approx. 246.61 USD).
5 Zones: 29,900 JPY (Approx. 270.30 USD).

Secondary school students

1 Zone: 14,770 JPY (Approx. 133.52 USD).
2 Zones: 17,590 JPY (Approx. 159.01 USD).
3 Zones: 19,700 JPY (Approx. 178.09 USD).
4 Zones: 21,810 JPY (Approx. 197.16 USD).
5 Zones: 23,920 JPY (Approx. 216.24 USD).

School Commute: Semi-Annual Pass

This plan, available for college and secondary school students with IC Cards, offers unlimited journeys on the Kyoto subway for six months.

College students

1 Zone: 35,000 JPY (Approx. 316.40 USD).
2 Zones: 41,640 JPY (Approx. 376.43 USD).
3 Zones: 46,660 JPY (Approx. 421.81 USD).
4 Zones: 51,680 JPY (Approx. 467.19 USD).
5 Zones: 56,650 JPY (Approx. 512.12 USD).

Secondary school

1 Zone: 27,980 JPY (Approx. 252.94 USD).
2 Zones: 33,320 JPY (Approx. 301.21 USD).
3 Zones: 37,320 JPY (Approx. 337.37 USD).
4 Zones: 41,310 JPY (Approx. 373.44 USD).
5 Zones: 45,310 JPY (Approx. 409.60 USD).

Schedule

The Kyoto Metro operates daily from 5:00 a.m. to 23:30 p.m., including public holidays. During these hours, train frequency varies depending on the time of day. Typically, trains arrive every six or seven minutes for most of the day. At peak times the waiting time is reduced to three or four minutes. After 21:30, waiting times increase to between eight and ten minutes.

Rules

Bags and suitcases should not obstruct the path of other passengers.
For safety reasons, passengers should avoid crossing the yellow line. Violators may be fined.
Children over the age of four require their own ticket to travel on the Kyoto Metro.
Smoking is prohibited in stations and on trains.
The transportation of fireworks and flammable objects is prohibited.
Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs are prohibited from entering Kyoto Metro facilities.
Passengers who wish to stand while riding the escalator should stay on the left side. This will allow people in a hurry to pass on the right.
Passengers should use headphones when playing multimedia content to avoid disturbing others.
Selling goods within Kyoto Metro facilities is prohibited unless authorised in advance.
Begging is not permitted on the premises of the metro. Violation may result in expulsion.
In the event of an emergency, follow the instructions of subway staff.
Avoid activating or manipulating emergency equipment unless there is a real threat.
It’s important to be considerate of other passengers and to avoid actions that may be disruptive or harmful. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

Airport Connection

Kyoto city does not have its own airport; visitors usually fly into Kansai International Airport in Osaka, which is about 100 kilometres from Kyoto. Despite the distance, the journey is relatively quick thanks to Japan’s efficient transport infrastructure.

To get to Kansai Airport from Kyoto, passengers should take the Karasuma Line to Kyoto Station. From there, passengers can purchase a ticket for the Haruka Express, a direct train to the airport, for 1,880 JPY (approx. USD 17.00). After purchasing a ticket, passengers board the train for a 75-minute journey to Kansai Airport.

The journey is the same in reverse, as the Haruka Express station is just a few metres from the airport. It’s worth noting that the Haruka Express also stops in Osaka, making it possible to visit the city on the way to Kyoto.