Travel and transport agencies Kyoto

Kyoto is a pleasant place to ride if you choose your bike well. Fuune has thought of everything. Between simple bikes, electric bikes, tandems or even the famous mamachari, equipped with a child seat, the choice is wide. All kinds of accessories are also available for rent, such as a phone holder or a backpack. The manager guides us with maps and itineraries, and the service is fast and efficient. Another advantage is that the bikes can be returned at any time of the day or night, for greater freedom of movement.

The line runs in the northwestern part of the city, between Kitano Hakubaicho on one side, and Arashiyama on the other. A segment leaves from Shijo Omiya station. It serves Myoshinji, Ryoanji and Ninna-ji. The single carriage, a bit old-fashioned, allows access to less crowded areas, where one can take nice walks around less touristy temples. If it is not the fastest way to reach Arashiyama, it is clearly the most picturesque.

The station is an important landmark in the city. This is where the shinkansen trains from Tokyo and Nagoya to Osaka stop. The station, completed in 1997, is a strikingly modern building designed by architect Hiyoshi Hara. It is a surprising contrast to the more traditional city. It's worth a visit for its open-air roof, known as the Matrix. When you get off the train, take the Karasuma side which takes you to the north of the station and into the city center. Bus routes start in front of the station.

This bike rental store is very well located in the center of Kyoto. The hours are less flexible than other similar places, but it offers good quality bicycles. Simple, electrically assisted, folding and children's bicycles are available. All models come with lights and locks. Baby seats and raincoats can also be rented for a few extra coins. A short briefing on parking and riding rules is given before the ride.

Apart from the major metro stations, the bus is without doubt the most convenient way to get around Kyoto. There are many regular bus routes from Kyoto station. One trip costs 230 yen. You can pay in coins or use a PASMO or Suica card (the same as in Tokyo). Other discount cards are available, notably the day pass, which costs ¥700, and the combined metro and bus pass, which costs ¥1,100. Transport is free for children under 6, and half-price for adults.

Cabs are an affordable and easy way to get around Kyoto. The easiest way is to wait at the dedicated stop at the northern exit of Kyoto Station. They can also be hailed from the roadside. If you need to book a cab, the Yasaka company has the most vehicles in the city. They arrive quickly and efficiently. You can recognize them by their green cloverleaf logo. If they don't always speak English, they are equipped with GPS which allows them to look for an address. They will have no trouble getting you to your destination.

Open since 1994 and located in Osaka Bay more than an hour and a half by car or bus from Kyoto, it has become Japan's first 24-hour airport. In 2018, it was damaged by a typhoon that temporarily cut it off from the city, but it is now fully operational again. The fastest way to get there from Kyoto is to take the JR Haruka Limited express which takes you there in 1h20. The journey is covered by the JR pass. Another possibility is to take the JR Rapid to Osaka and then a JR train to Kyoto.

Renting a car in Kyoto can be useful to move freely in the city and its surroundings, which are sometimes poorly served by public transportation. This car rental agency is conveniently located close to Kyoto Station. It also has a website in English to facilitate the reservation and to allow the knowledge of the compulsory elements for the handover. It also accepts the one-way option which offers the opportunity to return the car to another branch of the network.