Yomiuri Shimbun
The tourist express bus departs from Kyoto Station on Saturday morning.
June 2, 2024 15:48
KYOTO — The city of Kyoto on Saturday began operating a bus service that stops only at major tourist sites in an effort to prevent overcrowding among tourists and ease congestion on bus routes used by locals.
The new “tourist express bus” has two routes: one that goes from Kyoto Station to Ginkakuji via Gojozaka, which is close to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Gion, and Heian Shrine, and the other that goes directly from Kyoto Station to Gojozaka. The Ginkakuji Line operates 24 times a day, while the Gojozaka Line operates 16 times a day. Both routes will operate on weekends and holidays, including the New Year’s holiday period.
The fare is 500 yen for adults, more than double the regular flat fare of 230 yen. To reduce stop times, fares are paid in advance. One-day subway and bus passes are also available. Both tourists and local residents can use the pass, but commuter passes and senior citizen passes cannot be used.
A departure ceremony was held in front of Kyoto Station on Saturday morning.
“I want more people to enjoy tourism. [in the city] Kyoto Mayor Matsui Koji, who test rode the new bus route, said, “We aim to operate the service in a way that takes into consideration the need to enable local residents to live their daily lives in comfort. We would like to verify its effectiveness.”
