How To Get From Tokyo To Kyoto

You can get from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over 2 hours on the fastest shinkansen (bullet train). It’s possible to go by overnight bus too. Here’s our breakdown of how it all works.

[Nozomi shinkanen — image © Doug Letterman / CC BY 2.0]

Tokyo To Kyoto Shinkansen

The quickest and easiest way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto is on the shinkansen (bullet train).

Shinkansen depart frequently — around every 10 minutes — from Tokyo Station. The fastest shinkansen, the Nozomi, gets from Tokyo station to Kyoto station in 2 hours 10 minutes.

You can buy shinkansen tickets and make seat reservations directly at Tokyo Station, or indeed any JR (Japan Rail) ticket window, or buy online from an official agent like Klook. You can also reserve tickets on the shinkansen when booking with Klook if you wish.

The Tokyo to Kyoto shinkansen price starts at ¥13,320 for unreserved tickets and ¥14,370 for reserved tickets.

There are 3 types of shinkansen running from Tokyo to Kyoto:

• Nozomi is the fastest, taking 2 hours and 10 minutes to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. This only stops at Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama and Nagoya before arriving at Kyoto.
• Hikari takes 2 hours and 48 minutes to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. This stops at a few more stations.
• Kodama takes 3 hours and 37 minutes to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. This one stops everywhere. Don’t get on this one!

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can get on the Hikari and the Kodama, but not the Nozomi (you must pay an extra ¥4960 to ride the Nozomi with a Japan Rail Pass from Tokyo to Kyoto). For more details about the JRP, see our page Japan Rail Pass: Is It Worth It?.

Narita Airport direct to Kyoto (without staying in Tokyo)

If you land at Narita Airport and want to go direct to Kyoto without spending time in Tokyo, catch the N’Ex (Narita Express) from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, rather than Tokyo Station, and then catch the Tokyo to Kyoto shinkansen from Shinagawa Station.

The reason for this is because it’s a short walk from the N’Ex platforms to the shinkansen platforms at Shinagawa, whereas it’s a LONG hike from the Narita Express platform to the shinkansen platforms at Tokyo Station. Not ideal after a long flight.

You can buy N’Ex tickets from machines at Narita Airport, or online from the official JR East website (be warned, it’s quite clunky and only allows online purchases from 5:00 a.m. to 11:50 p.m. and 0:10 a.m. to 1:50 a.m. (Japan Standard Time)). Alternatively, you can buy N’Ex tickets online from Klook.

Haneda Airport direct to Kyoto (without staying in Tokyo)

If you land at Haneda Airport and want to go direct to Kyoto without spending time in Tokyo, catch the Keikyu Line train from Haneda to Shinagawa Station. You can then board the Tokyo to Kyoto shinkansen at Shinagawa and avoid the long walk at Tokyo station.
If you’re interested in knowing more about Shinagawa, see our guide to Shinagawa and its neighbouring areas Shimbashi, Shiodome and Hamamatsucho.

Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen Seat Reservations: Are They Necessary?

Normally, you don’t need a reserved ticket to get a seat on the shinkansen. Just buy an unreserved ticket and show up and board the next shinkansen going your way (in an unreserved car — usually the first three cars). However, as Japan becomes more and more popular with tourists, it’s wise to book reserved seats for your journeys just for peace of mind, especially for families and small groups.

That means going to a JR ticket window at a JR station or travel agent the day or a couple of days before and making your reservation. Or you can book tickets online with Klook and make seat reservations during your purchase.

Shinkansen Operating Times

First train departs Tokyo at around 06.00 and the last train departs Tokyo at 19.50.

Shinkansen Timetable

You can see the shinkansen timetables on the official JR Central English site (in English language). You can also check on Jorudan, the English-language timetable and route search site.

Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is, unsurprisingly, at the center of the Tokyo train and subway network. You can easily get there from any other train or subway station in Tokyo and its suburbs. See our Tokyo Subways and Trains.

You can also find full details about Tokyo Station and the surrounding area on our Tokyo Station and Marunouchi page

If you are travelling with a lot of luggage you could ask your hotel concierge or front desk to arrange a taxi for you to Tokyo station. Or you could use Japan’s excellent luggage delivery service to have your luggage sent to your Kyoto hotel, arriving the next day.

Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station is also at the center of Kyoto’s transport network. It’s a huge station that’s unapologetically futuristic in its design. It’s easy to connect to Kyoto’s subway, trains and taxis here to go to your hotel. You can read more about what’s in Kyoto Station itself and the area around Kyoto Station with our detailed guides.

Tokyo to Kyoto JR Night Bus by VIP Liner

The Tokyo to Kyoto JR Night Bus operated by VIP Liner is a cheap option that also departs from Tokyo station. It takes about eight hours and costs around ¥12,000

You can buy tickets in person from any JR (Japan Rail) ticket window or any travel agent in Japan. There is an official VIP Liner English language site and you can also buy VIP Liner bus tickets on Klook if you wish.

Willer Express Bus from Tokyo to Kyoto

The Willer Express bus is the cheapest way to get from Tokyo to Kyoto, with prices starting at ¥5,900. The journey takes 8 hours. There is a daytime and a nighttime bus. You can check prices and times and buy tickets online on the official Willer Express Bus site (English language).

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