Kyoto is stunning but confusing. Master these train lines and travel like a local!! 🚆

Kyoto is stunning but confusing. Master these train lines and travel like a local!! 🚆

is breathtaking, but if you don’t know the trains, you’ll waste hours. Kyoto sites are scattered. Therefore, remember Henu, Kahhan, Jr. all connect to the subway. Here’s how to move like a local. From Tokyo Shinkansen, you land at Kyoto station. But the sites aren’t here, so you need to switch. Therefore, hop on the JRin, also known as Sagono line for Aryama or Konij Castle. From Osaka, you’ve got three options. Arashyama take Henu and transfer at Katsura Gon or Kiomizera Kahhan. It’s slower but less crowded in a hurry. Jr. Rapid just 29 minutes. Osaka to Kyoto in under 30 minutes. That’s faster than finishing your coffee. So don’t get lost in the map. Once you know this, every corner of Kyoto is just a few stops away. Master these lines and Kyoto travel becomes autopilot. Save this video for your trip.

Kyoto’s beauty is everywhere, but its sights are scattered. To navigate from the moment you arrive by Shinkansen at Kyoto Station to places like Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, or the temples in Higashiyama, understanding the system of JR, Hankyu, Keihan, and the Subway makes all the difference.

If you want to head to Arashiyama, the Sagano (San-in) JR Line is your friendly route out west. For Kiyomizudera or Gion and the east side, the Keihan lines serve beautifully, slower but quieter than some routes.

Coming from Osaka? The Hankyu Main Line takes you straight into the heart of Kyoto (Kawaramachi, Karasuma) and connects to the Arashiyama branch via Katsura. Or, if you’re in a hurry, the JR Rapid makes the Osaka→Kyoto trip in under 30 minutes—fast enough to finish a coffee and still make the next stop.

Once you know where JR, Hankyu, Keihan, and the Subway converge, exploring Kyoto becomes nearly automatic. Every corner, every temple, every garden becomes just a few stops away. Save this video for your trip so you go in confident, not confused.

Which route would you try first—JR to Arashiyama, Keihan to Gion, or Hankyu to Kawaramachi? Drop your pick in the comments!

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