Is it possible to go to a day trip to Kyoto from Tokyo?
Kyoto is one of the most popular places to visit in Japan for both Japanese and visitors from outside of Japan.
Many tourists visit Kyoto by trains including Shinkansen.
Kyoto Station is the main terminal for most of visitors from outside of Kyoto.
It is easy to access Kyoto from Osaka area as Kyoto is located closed to Osaka. It takes less than 1 hour to go to Kyoto from Osaka.
How about visiting Kyoto from Tokyo?
Is it easy to access Kyoto from Tokyo?
Is it possible to go to a day trip to Kyoto from Tokyo?
The answer is YES.
How to access Kyoto from Tokyo
It is very easy to access Kyoto from Tokyo.
Tokaido Shinkansen directly goes to Kyoto Station from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station in Tokyo.
It takes about 2 hours 11~15 minutes from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station by Shinkansen Nozomi train.
How to access Kyoto from Tokyo with Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)
Nozomi trains can not be used with Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) without extra fee.
However, it is also possible to go to Kyoto from Tokyo by Hikari train that can be used with Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass).
By Hikari train, it takes more time than Nozomi train since Hikari train stops more stations than Nozomi.
However, it is just about 30 extra minutes.
For most of Hikari trains, it takes about 2 hours 40 minutes to go to Kyoto from Tokyo.
Access Kyoto from Tokyo by bus
There are highway buses or long-distance buses from Tokyo area to Kyoto.
It is probably the cheapest way to visit Kyoto from Tokyo.
However, it takes a lot more time than Shinkansen.
Major buses going to Kyoto from Tokyo leave at night and arrive Kyoto at morning.
Therefore, it can be a choice for budget travelers who don't have JR Pass and want to save money for transportation and accommodation.
Day trip to Kyoto from Tokyo
It is possible to go to Kyoto as a day trip from Tokyo by Shinkansen.
The first train going to Kyoto leaves Tokyo Station at 6:00 and it arrives Kyoto Station at 8:09.
The last train going to Tokyo from Kyoto leaves Kyoto Station at 21:38 and it arrives Tokyo Station at 23:45.
Therefore, it is possible to stay in Kyoto more than 12 hours.
Day trip to Kyoto with Japan Rail Pass
It is also possible to go to a day trip to Kyoto with Japan Rail Pass.
The first Hikari train going to Kyoto leaves Tokyo Station at 6:27 and arrives Kyoto Station at 9:13.
The last Hikari train going to Tokyo leaves Kyoto Station at 21:00 and arrives Tokyo Station at 23:27.
With Japan Rail Pass, it is possible to stay in Kyoto nearly 12 hours.
Shinkansen Timetable
