This video is incredible... I don't think I've ever come across a video about Japan with as much in-detail, obscure hard to find information like this one before... I'm eternally grateful that you did all this research, and while I won't be going to Kyoto, from watching this video I still feel more prepared in general when going to Japan for the first time, as I've never ridden on public transport before at all (except school buses), so thank you! It definitely takes away some of the unknown factors and what-ifs
Non-essential but additional information for those going to Kyoto: 1) Underground train does NOT equal subway in Japan. Make sure the station says "Subway" (地下鉄) to use the Subway & Bus One Day Pass. In Kyoto, there are the Hankyu & Keihan Railways (privately owned and separate from Kyoto subway) which operates trains in underground sections. (You can always use the IC-card or buy tickets to ride them) 2) For those traveling from Tokyo, Suica or Pasmo cards can be also used like Icoca. In fact, IC-cards of Kyushu, Osaka & Kyoto (Kansai), Nagoya, Tokyo, and Sapporo are inter-compatible (Kitaka, Icoca, Pitapa, Toica, Manaca, Suica, Pasmo, Nimoca, Sugoka, Hayakaken). 3) IC-cards can only be charged using cash in most cases, so make sure to always carry cash. 4) Trams in Kyoto are private companies, and are not covered by Subway & Bus One Day Pass. 5) Many varieties of tickets & passes are offered by different companies. So if you are a more experienced traveller to Kyoto, it may be useful to search for value tickets (free pass) depending on your destinations (and the transportation company that covers that area). *Commuter pass in Japan refers to 定期券, used for commute to job or school. These One-Day pass and such are often referred to as "Free pass" or "Free ticket" (フリーパス・フリーきっぷ), as you are free to ride within the set section, or as value tickets. *Kyoto is experiencing over-tourism and overcrowding especially on buses. Please use the subway and other mass-transit (mostly rail) options for sections of travel if available.
That's great great addition to this topic! Especially the first point. Not a lot of people will tell you about this, but it got me so very confused when I arrived in Osaka, everything was 'xxx line' and there's no easy way to tell them apart, e.g. the Osaka Loop Line is, in fact, JR! I was going to talk a little bit about it in a coming video but you beat me to it 😆
And I grew up in an era where Japan was allegedly all about 'densha'. I ended up didn't find any during my trip, but was instead greeted by every other train disguised as underground.
Also if you’re coming from Tokyo and have a Suica or Pasmo card already, you can just keep using that card. It should work and be rechargeable everywhere an Icoca card is. All the major cards across the entire country are interoperable.
Thank you, I was missing that information from the video. Let me add another hint to IC cards: Owners of Apple iPhones can simply use the integrated IC card functionality (part of Apple Wallet app) and charge via credit card. So there is no need to buy a physical IC card. However, not all digital IC cards are compatible with every credit card. For example, I was only able to charge SUICA with my Master Card while my girlfriend was only able to charge ICOCA with her VISA (and not SUICA). Strangely a few days into our trip she no longer could charge the ICOCA with VISA, however, luckily at the same time SUICA was suddenly compatible with VISA. So don't panic if you encounter the same issue and just try another IC card.
Another tip to add to yours: If you're not near a rail or subway station, you can charge any IC card using 7/11 or Seven-Bank ATMs, though keep in mind they only accept banknotes, not coins. And I've read that you can also charge them at the cashier in any major convenience store by requesting an "IC Charge", though I haven't tested that out yet.
@@hex5452Osaka and kyoto use the icoca card, which is practically the same as suica as all the other Pre paid ic cards as they are all interchangeable.
I rarely like videos but can't help but give it to you. Super spot-on guide with well-thought structure. I can only imagine how much time you spent on organizing the info and all the awkward moments. Love the voice and the humor as well. Look forward to your next videos, crossing my fingers that there would be one on Osaka.
I usually have more questions in mind as I watch guides, but this answered some of the questions that I haven't initially thought of. Moreover, love the humor interlaced in it too. Thank you!
Best tip I can give anyone is to rent a bicycle in Kyoto. (Yes, I'm Dutch) 1) You are not limited by public transport routes and timetables. 2) It will only cost you about 1000 yen a day. 3) You're able to see parts of the city you wouldn't see by public transport. 4) Cycling is fun and a great exercise!
I don't know if you get enough appreciation for your video edits, but they make this video all the more amazing. thank you for being so thorough & having a great taste in memes
So much great info I had to take a break halfway, and then I slowed it down to 75% speed. Not kidding. I was looking at the official Kyoto pass site, and my brain was gonna explode, so your tip about: "Don't worry! Get on the bus! Use ICOCA if necessary!" is invaluable.
I'm one minute into your video and I already liked and subbed. The quality of this video is amazing lol. I'll remember I was here before you hit 1 million subs. 🥂🥳 I'm going to Japan again soon and you really hit the confusion on point, luckily I made Japanese friends before going my first time. It helped a lot! Especially ordering all the delicious food Japan has. 🤤
This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you so much 😭🎉 I’ve been to Tokyo and Yokohama but not Kyoto and I’m currently researching before my trip next year. I’m going for an icoca card. I used the suica in Tokyo and found it made my life so easy.
Perfection. This video describes exactly what I did when in Kyoto the first time in 2019. Glad nothing much has changed. Gonna go there again next month.
This video is extremely useful. Thank you! One suggestion: Put the relevant kanji in the description. Makes it easy to copy-paste into notes for later reference.
since I will be in Kyoto just for one day (coming from Osaka), the one day bus/subway pass is a godsend (plus I love using local mass transport). I wish they had an IC type version to tap on/tap off like my Oyster card
This video just saved me so much time and confusion trying to figure out what transport pass to book. I literally just booked a week long trip to Osaka (3 days) and Kyoto (4 days) yesterday. I was in Kyoto for a 36 hours last year and loved it but just booked a two day jr west kansai pass but they don't have any 7 day options so I've been hesitating on what to book for my trip this week. You are a lifesaver, thank you for your service kind sir.
You've done it again! Another well thought out, easy to understand video. I'm in osaka now. Your videos are so spot on for lost travelers like me!! Thank you. And your videos are also very humorous.
One additional option is renting a bike. When I was in Kyoto, I got an electric bike rental and went all over. Some places were tough for finding a parking spot, but I liked it more than public transport
I may have missed it in your video but for those who dont know Ioca cards can also be topped up at any 7 eleven using the payment machine at the front counters . You may be able to use a card to pay on those machines . I was in Kyoto for a couple of days over new years and used buses and subway and this video would have been very handy if I had seen it in advance . Thanks for the effort in producing it. I am currently an expat in Hiroshima so I am sure your advice will come in handy on future trips.
ICOCA + JR West Pass was the combo I used. Former for inner Kyoto travel, latter for edge of city stuff like Arashiyama or Fushimi Inari and to other cities in the Kansai area. P.S. You can also just rent a bicycle. Kyoto is much friendlier to cyclists than Osaka or Tokyo.
Thank you so much for this video. I’ve been doing hours of research on how to navigate transportation for Kyoto but there’s always those gaps of where to buy it, how to use it, and which buses it’s applicable for. Definitely saving this video in my itinerary and sharing it with anyone that will go to Kyoto from now on!
I agree, transportation is much simpler, just use google map, it will tell you what train or bus to take with the time and price, very simple. I never look at the subway map.
What I enjoyed were the small trains without any English support. When I took the JR from Kyoto to Amanohashidate and Miyazu, I had to get off at Fukuchiyama and get a ticket to the smaller trains. First, Fukuchiyama to Miyazu, then Miyazu to Amanohashidate. These smaller trains happen to be the types you see in Japanese dramas. Majority of the passengers are high school students. The Matsuyama bus from the airport to Dogo Onsen, while not filled with students, was also used by them. There were a number of female high school students that took the bus. Same with the bus from the JR Sapporo Station to Kushiro, then Kushiro Station to Akanko. The Sapporo to Kushiro was an overnight bus, then I took the Kushiro to Akanko bus. Quite an interesting adventure. Cab driver in Akita didn't even charge me full fare to and from Akita Eki to the Seitai Hoshikai. And he even waited for me while I was at the Seitai Hoshikai! Interestingly, he thought I was from Sendai.
Just to share. Was there in April-May. For short distance in Kyoto (if I remember correctly, under 2km), taxi fares are reasonable. Won't be much more than bus. Just take can to nearest subway station etc or direct to location if they are nearby. Worth it for 2 people. If you have 3 or more people in the group, no brainer, just take a cab for short distance.
That's a shame, I found buses to be more convenient as you can see the beautiful city while traveling, the subway machines I tried using didn't have an english option (even chinese would've been nice as I could read it) and I guess personally it's better for orientation, I guess humans aren't made to figure their location emerging from a hole in the ground.
@@Will_Zhao if you’re a solo traveler, then yes, taxis will get expensive fast. But if you have 3 to 4 people in your group, then taxis are a great choice. They are fast and convenient and saves so much time. May spend a bit more money but you cannot make up for lost time
It is, it's not on klook probably because it's a very common and cheap commuter ticket which is easily accessable throughout the city, so there's no point in selling it on the website.
Thank you for the detailed information! The visual aids of what it looks like and the step by step process of boarding and scanning/showing pass to the bus driver was really helpful.
Thank you for such a good instruction video. I have 3 questions: 1) Does the one day pass still be available in this 2024 summer when we visit Kyoto? 2) Can multiple person use/share the same single IC card to save on the card fee? 3) When you said the IC card is integrated with iPhone wallet, does it mean we do not need to buy the physical IC card? If not, how can we buy the digital version from our iPhone? Thank you so much for your help.
Your videos are incredible. Love the simple explanations. Thank you so much! You've made Osaka and Kyoto so easy to navigate for me. Please help with the mighty Tokyo as well 😂 Great great stuff! Thanks a lot
Thank you so much for the baby steps explanation.. everyone explains it soo fast like it is simple, and maybe it is but some people like me, needs to be explained this level of detalied to understand it. Thanks!
Yes, Suica/Pasmo/Icoca all can be used in Kyoto but I'm not sure if all of them can be used interchangeably in all places, I have no personally experience on that. So might be worth it to get a ICOCA just in case. The card's refundable anyways.
we recently got back from japan and i have bo idea how i did it back in the early 2000's as it was a total fking mess the transport in japan, taxis are more expensive now along with everything else.The real way of moving around kyoto is train, bus and walk. thats the only way. The jr pass is bloody hopeless. Sure its great for the shinkansen, but other than that the jr trains dont go where you want and theres hardly every JR busses. Next trip i will just get my intl licence and hire a car. cheaper and go wherever you want.
Good information, but you are vastly overvaluing the day pass for a couple of reasons. First, you need to take 5 trips on buses/subways in one day to come out ahead. While this isn't hard to do on an eastern Kyoto day, you still need to make sure that your itinerary actually calls for 5 trips on buses/subway lines. After putting in your itinerary on Google Maps, there's a good chance the best route is via Keihan/Hankyu/JR trains. E.g. I've always gone to Fushimi Inari Taisha by train. It gets even worse when you're going to Arashiyama, as you'll likely take a JR or Randen train to get there. Unless you have an insane itinerary, the only way to be sure the pass is worth it is by inputting your itinerary into Google Maps and checking that the sum of the routes on buses/subway < the price of the pass. The best case scenario is that you save a couple bucks. For a 3-day itinerary, you're likely to take a good number of trains, which makes it even harder to make the pass worth getting all 3 days. By the time you're done checking your itinerary against Google Maps, you either find out that a) you'll save a few bucks with the pass or b) You won't. You also have to obtain the pass and remember when or when not to use it. IDK, it seems like a lot of extra work to save like at most ¥500. I think a video focusing more on how to navigate the bus stops, lining up when there's multiple lines at a single bus stop, transferring between buses, etc. would be more helpful, as this video is almost entirely built around using the day pass. It's also worth mentioning that icoca (and Suica/Pasmo) is also available for iPhones and FeliCa-enabled (read Japanese) Android devices. Since Mobile Suica is by far the most robust of these, I'd recommend iPhone users to add it to their Wallets, enable express transit mode, and call it a day.
Amazing that you pointed out the only two places I didn't get to via bus or subway in my entire trip. You are absolutely right that the Fushimi Inari Taisha is usually reached via the Keihan Main Line and visitors to Arashiyama would almost be required to take the JR train - if they decide to enter from the Umahori side. But those are pretty much the only two exceptions within the city perimeters, at least during my visit. Also, I don't believe that the 'need an insane itinerary to do 5 trips a day' part is entirely true. During my trip, I tend to have at least 3-4 places to visit in one day, that alone would almost guarantee 4-5 rides not even counting the ride back. On top of that, most of the days we would explore dining options not necessarily near the places we were visiting at that time of day. That'll easily get you more than 5 rides. Apart from that, the other HUGE advantage for the pass is that it allows your trip to be VERY flexible without having to worry about extra transport costs. While we were there, we almost never fully stick to our original planned schedule. We kept discovering new places that draw our attention and thanks to the pass, we could always go there without any hesitation since travel is NOT cheap in Japan. The pass opens up a lot more options painlessly and that's really what we loved the most about the it. That said, do you always have to buy a pass for every single day of your visit? Hell naw. In the end it's gonna depend on a lot of things whether or not to buy it. You do still need to do calculations, and that's why I stated in the video, like you said - you would need 5 trips for the pass to be worth it, and people should use that as reference. It worked extremely well for us so I was really passionate to preach about the benefits, but I also provided facts so that people can make their own decisions, think that's the best I could do.
Thanks again for another great video. Very helpful and timely for my holiday soon. As a follow on from this comment - are JR lines included in this pass? I noted you mentioned to get to Arashiyama is not covered in the pass
@@vivilam4842 Unfortunately no. The pass is for subway and bus only and does not cover and of the JR routes. The trip to Arashiyama (JR Umahori Station to be exact) is via a JR train, thus not covered by the pass.
Thanks Will for the lightning reply! Noted that this pass does not include any JR lines. I definitely have to do my homework to see what works best. Hope you have more Kansas region videos in August!
There definitely are but can be rare to find in the heart of the city. The non-flat fare zone buses(i.e. buses with an IC reader at the back) usually cover routes that go outside the city, since the routes tend to be longer, they need to know where you got on the bus. The great thing is, if you don't see a card reader at the back door, you don't need to care about it at all, so all good!
Great content and video! Keep up the good work. Curious, I only found it on their website that the "Bus One-Day Pass" is discontinuing but for "Subway and Bus One-Day Pass" there isn't a discontinued date. Can you clarify on that? Thanks!
Sorry I might not have made it clear enough, the 【bus 1-day pass】 will be discontinued while the【subway and bus 1-day pass】will continue to be, the Kyoto City is actively promoting for the latter since they want more people, especially travellers to use the subway more so that local people will have a better time using the buses for their everyday commute.
I live in Switzerland and I am going to Japan this summer. So far, Japans railway system has been the most difficult thing to figure out 😢 I thought it would be better there than here in Switzerland 😂☠
This video is incredible... I don't think I've ever come across a video about Japan with as much in-detail, obscure hard to find information like this one before... I'm eternally grateful that you did all this research, and while I won't be going to Kyoto, from watching this video I still feel more prepared in general when going to Japan for the first time, as I've never ridden on public transport before at all (except school buses), so thank you! It definitely takes away some of the unknown factors and what-ifs
Non-essential but additional information for those going to Kyoto:
1) Underground train does NOT equal subway in Japan. Make sure the station says "Subway" (地下鉄) to use the Subway & Bus One Day Pass. In Kyoto, there are the Hankyu & Keihan Railways (privately owned and separate from Kyoto subway) which operates trains in underground sections. (You can always use the IC-card or buy tickets to ride them)
2) For those traveling from Tokyo, Suica or Pasmo cards can be also used like Icoca. In fact, IC-cards of Kyushu, Osaka & Kyoto (Kansai), Nagoya, Tokyo, and Sapporo are inter-compatible (Kitaka, Icoca, Pitapa, Toica, Manaca, Suica, Pasmo, Nimoca, Sugoka, Hayakaken).
3) IC-cards can only be charged using cash in most cases, so make sure to always carry cash.
4) Trams in Kyoto are private companies, and are not covered by Subway & Bus One Day Pass.
5) Many varieties of tickets & passes are offered by different companies. So if you are a more experienced traveller to Kyoto, it may be useful to search for value tickets (free pass) depending on your destinations (and the transportation company that covers that area).
*Commuter pass in Japan refers to 定期券, used for commute to job or school. These One-Day pass and such are often referred to as "Free pass" or "Free ticket" (フリーパス・フリーきっぷ), as you are free to ride within the set section, or as value tickets.
*Kyoto is experiencing over-tourism and overcrowding especially on buses. Please use the subway and other mass-transit (mostly rail) options for sections of travel if available.
That's great great addition to this topic! Especially the first point. Not a lot of people will tell you about this, but it got me so very confused when I arrived in Osaka, everything was 'xxx line' and there's no easy way to tell them apart, e.g. the Osaka Loop Line is, in fact, JR! I was going to talk a little bit about it in a coming video but you beat me to it 😆
And I grew up in an era where Japan was allegedly all about 'densha'. I ended up didn't find any during my trip, but was instead greeted by every other train disguised as underground.
Just one question: how do I know if I can use only IC, if I can use IC and a ticket or if I need to buy a ticket (I do not use IC at all)?
@@MihaiMarinescuJr you don't 😂 it'll take research beforehand to know
@@Will_Zhao😂😂😂 Nice!!!!!
Also if you’re coming from Tokyo and have a Suica or Pasmo card already, you can just keep using that card. It should work and be rechargeable everywhere an Icoca card is. All the major cards across the entire country are interoperable.
Thank you, I was missing that information from the video. Let me add another hint to IC cards: Owners of Apple iPhones can simply use the integrated IC card functionality (part of Apple Wallet app) and charge via credit card. So there is no need to buy a physical IC card. However, not all digital IC cards are compatible with every credit card. For example, I was only able to charge SUICA with my Master Card while my girlfriend was only able to charge ICOCA with her VISA (and not SUICA). Strangely a few days into our trip she no longer could charge the ICOCA with VISA, however, luckily at the same time SUICA was suddenly compatible with VISA. So don't panic if you encounter the same issue and just try another IC card.
Another tip to add to yours: If you're not near a rail or subway station, you can charge any IC card using 7/11 or Seven-Bank ATMs, though keep in mind they only accept banknotes, not coins. And I've read that you can also charge them at the cashier in any major convenience store by requesting an "IC Charge", though I haven't tested that out yet.
this is very helpful.
Is suica not available in Osaka?
@@hex5452Osaka and kyoto use the icoca card, which is practically the same as suica as all the other Pre paid ic cards as they are all interchangeable.
Dude you literally made the ultimate transport guide. Incredible editing, information, and jokes. Keep doing this type of content 10/10
Renting a bike was my favourite way to see Kyoto back in 2017
gosh you edited the heck out of this like a powerpoint for us kids like a teacher would do. the kanji info is so helpful and the green bus
I rarely like videos but can't help but give it to you. Super spot-on guide with well-thought structure. I can only imagine how much time you spent on organizing the info and all the awkward moments. Love the voice and the humor as well. Look forward to your next videos, crossing my fingers that there would be one on Osaka.
Spot on x
I usually have more questions in mind as I watch guides, but this answered some of the questions that I haven't initially thought of. Moreover, love the humor interlaced in it too. Thank you!
Best video on internet about travel in Japan
Best tip I can give anyone is to rent a bicycle in Kyoto. (Yes, I'm Dutch)
1) You are not limited by public transport routes and timetables.
2) It will only cost you about 1000 yen a day.
3) You're able to see parts of the city you wouldn't see by public transport.
4) Cycling is fun and a great exercise!
I don't know if you get enough appreciation for your video edits, but they make this video all the more amazing. thank you for being so thorough & having a great taste in memes
Thank you for the kind words！ I never thought I'd get such acknowledgement for my choice for meme but I was really happy that you guys liked it!
I really love how you explain the information, it will be very helpfull to me when visiting the Kyoto
So much great info I had to take a break halfway, and then I slowed it down to 75% speed. Not kidding. I was looking at the official Kyoto pass site, and my brain was gonna explode, so your tip about: "Don't worry! Get on the bus! Use ICOCA if necessary!" is invaluable.
I'm one minute into your video and I already liked and subbed. The quality of this video is amazing lol. I'll remember I was here before you hit 1 million subs. 🥂🥳 I'm going to Japan again soon and you really hit the confusion on point, luckily I made Japanese friends before going my first time. It helped a lot! Especially ordering all the delicious food Japan has. 🤤
This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you so much 😭🎉 I’ve been to Tokyo and Yokohama but not Kyoto and I’m currently researching before my trip next year. I’m going for an icoca card. I used the suica in Tokyo and found it made my life so easy.
they are the same card. you can bring a suica from tokyo and it will work. there are many different ic cards
@@iaoshua thanks!
It might still be beneficial to have a second one, and you could sell your SUICA for profit cause of the shortage 🤣
Perfection. This video describes exactly what I did when in Kyoto the first time in 2019. Glad nothing much has changed. Gonna go there again next month.
Your videos made me feel more confident about traveling in Japan
this youtube channel is a treasure
This is the most informative travel information video I've ever seen. Thank you very much for the detailed guide. Loved the humor too!
I like your videos. Very informative.
I was confused when I went to Kyoto, so next time I will buy the one day pass.
This video is extremely useful. Thank you!
One suggestion: Put the relevant kanji in the description. Makes it easy to copy-paste into notes for later reference.
Thank you, I might do just that in the future!
This is such a great guide! Thank you so much for this! 😊
I've only finished the intro and i'm already laughing haha liked and subbed :)
Your video just saves my sanity! Thank you!!! ❤
since I will be in Kyoto just for one day (coming from Osaka), the one day bus/subway pass is a godsend (plus I love using local mass transport). I wish they had an IC type version to tap on/tap off like my Oyster card
very informative and interesting to watch!
This video just saved me so much time and confusion trying to figure out what transport pass to book. I literally just booked a week long trip to Osaka (3 days) and Kyoto (4 days) yesterday. I was in Kyoto for a 36 hours last year and loved it but just booked a two day jr west kansai pass but they don't have any 7 day options so I've been hesitating on what to book for my trip this week. You are a lifesaver, thank you for your service kind sir.
Thank you for the information! I’ll definitely be using the unlimited daily pass
This VIDEO IS A MASTERPIECE on all of youtube
Such great information. Thank you so much for the funny and informative video. I am traveling and am anxious person so this is so useful. 🌻🌌
You've done it again! Another well thought out, easy to understand video. I'm in osaka now. Your videos are so spot on for lost travelers like me!! Thank you. And your videos are also very humorous.
Thank you for the kind words! Enjoy your trip!
the video I needed. Thank you for the work put into this!
I’m going to Japan soon and that was very helpful.
One additional option is renting a bike. When I was in Kyoto, I got an electric bike rental and went all over. Some places were tough for finding a parking spot, but I liked it more than public transport
Which place did you go to rent your e bikes ? Thsnks
@@tm4s426 search this:
Bicycle Rental "KYO no RAKU-CHARI"
AMAZINGLY TRUE 😂 !!! Awesome job !!!
I may have missed it in your video but for those who dont know Ioca cards can also be topped up at any 7 eleven using the payment machine at the front counters . You may be able to use a card to pay on those machines . I was in Kyoto for a couple of days over new years and used buses and subway and this video would have been very handy if I had seen it in advance . Thanks for the effort in producing it. I am currently an expat in Hiroshima so I am sure your advice will come in handy on future trips.
Most helpful and fun video I've seen in the many months of planning for our trip! Thank you SO much for your efforts!
The most informative video I've seen about how to get around Kyoto. You are amazing! Thank you for making this video!!! 🙏
This is amazing, I hope you make more videos!
Awesome Information ..... This is Spoon Feeding Pro Max ....
ICOCA + JR West Pass was the combo I used. Former for inner Kyoto travel, latter for edge of city stuff like Arashiyama or Fushimi Inari and to other cities in the Kansai area.
P.S. You can also just rent a bicycle. Kyoto is much friendlier to cyclists than Osaka or Tokyo.
Will, I wish you were my computer science teacher in college. I might be a vp at apple by now🌷
Me from that alternate universe would be proud.
Thank you so much for this video. I’ve been doing hours of research on how to navigate transportation for Kyoto but there’s always those gaps of where to buy it, how to use it, and which buses it’s applicable for. Definitely saving this video in my itinerary and sharing it with anyone that will go to Kyoto from now on!
I used Google Maps and no need to be confused by the maps in the station.
A day pass is a savior.
Yes exactly, I also commented in the video that there is really no reason to use that map, Google Maps is so much more convenient and user-friendly.
I agree, transportation is much simpler, just use google map, it will tell you what train or bus to take with the time and price, very simple. I never look at the subway map.
Thank you for your detailed explanation!😀
Oh wow... this vid is a gem😂
i long for the day that our ticket machines accept credit cards to top up
Travel anxiety gone - check! Thank you for the video🙏🏻
Fantastic video! Thanks alot!
great video! I'm saving it for my trip in a year
This is great! Thank you so much
Nice guide but...
Just rent a bicycle. 1000% better.
Can I use suica card instead of icoca card in Kyoto?
Yes.
Fantastic guide 👍
This is a very helpful and great video! Would you also happen to have a guide for Osaka only?
I don't condone the anti-boat propaganda here >:(
🤣
What I enjoyed were the small trains without any English support. When I took the JR from Kyoto to Amanohashidate and Miyazu, I had to get off at Fukuchiyama and get a ticket to the smaller trains. First, Fukuchiyama to Miyazu, then Miyazu to Amanohashidate. These smaller trains happen to be the types you see in Japanese dramas. Majority of the passengers are high school students.
The Matsuyama bus from the airport to Dogo Onsen, while not filled with students, was also used by them. There were a number of female high school students that took the bus.
Same with the bus from the JR Sapporo Station to Kushiro, then Kushiro Station to Akanko. The Sapporo to Kushiro was an overnight bus, then I took the Kushiro to Akanko bus. Quite an interesting adventure.
Cab driver in Akita didn't even charge me full fare to and from Akita Eki to the Seitai Hoshikai. And he even waited for me while I was at the Seitai Hoshikai! Interestingly, he thought I was from Sendai.
Thank you, very clear 🎉
very informative video. thanks. your way of presenting is funny too
card vending machines on train stations usually have language option, most tourist i saw overlook that
I thought it was obvious so I didn't even mention that, maybe I should have!
Just to share. Was there in April-May. For short distance in Kyoto (if I remember correctly, under 2km), taxi fares are reasonable. Won't be much more than bus. Just take can to nearest subway station etc or direct to location if they are nearby. Worth it for 2 people. If you have 3 or more people in the group, no brainer, just take a cab for short distance.
Thank you! I am headed to Kyoto soon and had no idea how confusing it could be had I not seen this video!
Thank you for the in depth review! Love a good deal all the time! Will use suica or passmo with the one day pass as we are landing in Tokyo first.
That's a shame, I found buses to be more convenient as you can see the beautiful city while traveling, the subway machines I tried using didn't have an english option (even chinese would've been nice as I could read it) and I guess personally it's better for orientation, I guess humans aren't made to figure their location emerging from a hole in the ground.
Whenever I see a bus part included in my Google transport options, I panick
I know right.
Just came back from our trip to Japan. When in Kyoto and you are short on time, taxis are the way to go! Trust me! You’ll thank me later
Yes, taxi is always a very fast option but we didn't like how expensive it could be so we never touched that. 😅
@@Will_Zhao if you’re a solo traveler, then yes, taxis will get expensive fast. But if you have 3 to 4 people in your group, then taxis are a great choice. They are fast and convenient and saves so much time. May spend a bit more money but you cannot make up for lost time
Hello there, is the pass still available in Feb '24? I was looking for it in Klook but couldn't find it, I'm wondering if it's still available.
It is, it's not on klook probably because it's a very common and cheap commuter ticket which is easily accessable throughout the city, so there's no point in selling it on the website.
@@Will_Zhao Got it, also thank you so much for the video, it is very helpful!
Thank you for the detailed information! The visual aids of what it looks like and the step by step process of boarding and scanning/showing pass to the bus driver was really helpful.
Can the suica card be used for all transportation options in Kyoto?
yes
Thank you for such a good instruction video. I have 3 questions:
1) Does the one day pass still be available in this 2024 summer when we visit Kyoto?
2) Can multiple person use/share the same single IC card to save on the card fee?
3) When you said the IC card is integrated with iPhone wallet, does it mean we do not need to buy the physical IC card? If not, how can we buy the digital version from our iPhone?
Thank you so much for your help.
Your videos are incredible. Love the simple explanations. Thank you so much! You've made Osaka and Kyoto so easy to navigate for me. Please help with the mighty Tokyo as well 😂
Great great stuff! Thanks a lot
Thank you so much for the baby steps explanation.. everyone explains it soo fast like it is simple, and maybe it is but some people like me, needs to be explained this level of detalied to understand it. Thanks!
Through kyoto subway card ,can i go to ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO FOREST?.
& further tourist places?
Please guide there is some confusion
Very helpful and cristal-clear explained, thank you so much for the effort sir👌🏻. I wish there was something like this for Osaka
Perfect video
If I get a Sucia card in Tokyo can this be used also as a Icoca card? or do i need to get a second card when traveling down to Kyoto
Yes, Suica/Pasmo/Icoca all can be used in Kyoto but I'm not sure if all of them can be used interchangeably in all places, I have no personally experience on that. So might be worth it to get a ICOCA just in case. The card's refundable anyways.
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If you already have a transit card from another region of Japan, for example a SUICA card from Tokyo, that will work in lieu of an ICOCA card.
one of the most useful videos I've seen ...we appreciate your hard work ! thanks :)
Amazing! Just wanted to know if I am already having a Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport with me from Tokyo, would those work in Kyoto and Osaka?
we recently got back from japan and i have bo idea how i did it back in the early 2000's as it was a total fking mess the transport in japan, taxis are more expensive now along with everything else.The real way of moving around kyoto is train, bus and walk. thats the only way. The jr pass is bloody hopeless. Sure its great for the shinkansen, but other than that the jr trains dont go where you want and theres hardly every JR busses. Next trip i will just get my intl licence and hire a car. cheaper and go wherever you want.
Great video! But, the NYC Metrocard doesn't quite work the same way. You don't need to swipe or tap out. Only when going in.
Hi, the ICard SUICA WELCOME can also be used in kyoto transport?
Hi..chance upon your helpful video. So the icoca if theres still some money in it. Is it refundable all?
this is amazing
Good information, but you are vastly overvaluing the day pass for a couple of reasons. First, you need to take 5 trips on buses/subways in one day to come out ahead. While this isn't hard to do on an eastern Kyoto day, you still need to make sure that your itinerary actually calls for 5 trips on buses/subway lines. After putting in your itinerary on Google Maps, there's a good chance the best route is via Keihan/Hankyu/JR trains. E.g. I've always gone to Fushimi Inari Taisha by train.
It gets even worse when you're going to Arashiyama, as you'll likely take a JR or Randen train to get there.
Unless you have an insane itinerary, the only way to be sure the pass is worth it is by inputting your itinerary into Google Maps and checking that the sum of the routes on buses/subway < the price of the pass. The best case scenario is that you save a couple bucks. For a 3-day itinerary, you're likely to take a good number of trains, which makes it even harder to make the pass worth getting all 3 days.
By the time you're done checking your itinerary against Google Maps, you either find out that a) you'll save a few bucks with the pass or b) You won't. You also have to obtain the pass and remember when or when not to use it. IDK, it seems like a lot of extra work to save like at most ¥500.
I think a video focusing more on how to navigate the bus stops, lining up when there's multiple lines at a single bus stop, transferring between buses, etc. would be more helpful, as this video is almost entirely built around using the day pass.
It's also worth mentioning that icoca (and Suica/Pasmo) is also available for iPhones and FeliCa-enabled (read Japanese) Android devices. Since Mobile Suica is by far the most robust of these, I'd recommend iPhone users to add it to their Wallets, enable express transit mode, and call it a day.
Amazing that you pointed out the only two places I didn't get to via bus or subway in my entire trip. You are absolutely right that the Fushimi Inari Taisha is usually reached via the Keihan Main Line and visitors to Arashiyama would almost be required to take the JR train - if they decide to enter from the Umahori side. But those are pretty much the only two exceptions within the city perimeters, at least during my visit.
Also, I don't believe that the 'need an insane itinerary to do 5 trips a day' part is entirely true. During my trip, I tend to have at least 3-4 places to visit in one day, that alone would almost guarantee 4-5 rides not even counting the ride back. On top of that, most of the days we would explore dining options not necessarily near the places we were visiting at that time of day. That'll easily get you more than 5 rides.
Apart from that, the other HUGE advantage for the pass is that it allows your trip to be VERY flexible without having to worry about extra transport costs. While we were there, we almost never fully stick to our original planned schedule. We kept discovering new places that draw our attention and thanks to the pass, we could always go there without any hesitation since travel is NOT cheap in Japan. The pass opens up a lot more options painlessly and that's really what we loved the most about the it.
That said, do you always have to buy a pass for every single day of your visit? Hell naw. In the end it's gonna depend on a lot of things whether or not to buy it. You do still need to do calculations, and that's why I stated in the video, like you said - you would need 5 trips for the pass to be worth it, and people should use that as reference. It worked extremely well for us so I was really passionate to preach about the benefits, but I also provided facts so that people can make their own decisions, think that's the best I could do.
Thanks again for another great video. Very helpful and timely for my holiday soon. As a follow on from this comment - are JR lines included in this pass? I noted you mentioned to get to Arashiyama is not covered in the pass
@@vivilam4842 Unfortunately no. The pass is for subway and bus only and does not cover and of the JR routes. The trip to Arashiyama (JR Umahori Station to be exact) is via a JR train, thus not covered by the pass.
Thanks Will for the lightning reply! Noted that this pass does not include any JR lines. I definitely have to do my homework to see what works best. Hope you have more Kansas region videos in August!
Sir travelling osaka to kyoto by train what’s the best card to purchase? Is it JR pass or icoca. Thanks more power
@9:10 i came here for this 😂. so in general, all the buses in Kyoto uses ICOCA except the sightseeing buses. 🤔
I love this video haha. Great!
I was three days in Kyoto and NEVER SAW such an IC card reader at the back of the bus O_O are these really often there?
There definitely are but can be rare to find in the heart of the city. The non-flat fare zone buses(i.e. buses with an IC reader at the back) usually cover routes that go outside the city, since the routes tend to be longer, they need to know where you got on the bus. The great thing is, if you don't see a card reader at the back door, you don't need to care about it at all, so all good!
Great content and video! Keep up the good work. Curious, I only found it on their website that the "Bus One-Day Pass" is discontinuing but for "Subway and Bus One-Day Pass" there isn't a discontinued date. Can you clarify on that? Thanks!
Sorry I might not have made it clear enough, the 【bus 1-day pass】 will be discontinued while the【subway and bus 1-day pass】will continue to be, the Kyoto City is actively promoting for the latter since they want more people, especially travellers to use the subway more so that local people will have a better time using the buses for their everyday commute.
Thanks man! Any video like this for osaka?
Ah damn.. I wanted to know how to build a snow pentagonal dodecahedron :(( dissapointed
ps: check 1:17
I was gonna take a boat around Kyoto. Now I am so screwed.
suica card is good too
I live in Switzerland and I am going to Japan this summer. So far, Japans railway system has been the most difficult thing to figure out 😢 I thought it would be better there than here in Switzerland 😂☠
Can I use Suica card on my Apple wallet instead of ICOCA card?
Thumbs up for this very well explained/presented transportation guide of Kyoto.
As someone who lived in Kyoto for 5 years there are aome buseablike the Yasaka busses that do not use the ICOCA card.
As far as I know they are the rare ones, and tourists probably won't even know that they exist. Google maps probably don't have their info.
Can I use suica instead of icoca?
@@wonglinn1957 yes
Fool proof 👍