This article will show you exactly how to get from Kyoto Station to Kyoto’s downtown area of Shijo Karasuma and Shijo Kawaramachi.
To save you from getting lost, we’ve included detailed photos directing you through everything from Kyoto Station to the bus interchange and subway.
While it may be the gateway to Kyoto, Kyoto Station sits relatively far from downtown Shijo Kawaramachi, which is where the Nishiki Market and Teramachi shopping street are located.
As a result, most choose to take the train or bus to get there.
With so many platforms in Kyoto Station, there are tons of routes through it. However, in this article, we’ll just be focusing on the easiest one, the giant North Exit.
While the North Exit can be accessed several ways, we will focus on getting there from the Central Entrance of the Shinkansen.
Shinkansen Central Entrance to Kyoto Station North Exit
Bus｜Best for getting close to your desired destination
Subway｜Best for getting around quickly and traveling with luggage
Taxi
Each tab takes you to the corresponding article.
After getting off the Shinkansen bullet train at Kyoto Station, head toward the Central Entrance. It should look like this outside the gate. After passing through the gates, head right.
After turning right, you should see this area. To get to the exit, head straight from here.
Take the escalator up.
On the way, you should see the east exit for the JR lines on your right. Continue walking straight. When you see the exit at the end of the walkway, you should also be able to see another walkway to the right.
After turning right, it should look like this. From here, you’ll see this wide-open area with the JR Central Ticket Gate, which is where you’ll need to head.
Continue straight until you see both the JR Central Ticket Gate and Kyoto Station North Exit. The exit on your left will be the Kyoto Station North Exit, and on the right will be the JR Central Ticket Gate. Continue down the escalator.
You’ve made it! This is Kyoto Station’s North Exit. This is where our directions to the Shijo area via bus and subway will start.
Click the button below, head back to the top of the page and click the tab for whichever transport method you want to take.
This tab covers reaching the downtown Shijo area via bus.
The bus interchange is right outside the Kyoto Station’s North Exit.
The buses bound for Shijo leave from platform A. Platform A is in the center of the bus interchange, so you will have to cross the crosswalk to get there. 
This tab covers accessing the Shijo area via the subway. 
The escalators are right outside the JR Central Ticket Gate. There is only one downward escalator in the area, so you shouldn’t get lost.
Head down one level then find the downward escalator directly behind you to continue further down. 
On the second floor of the basement, you’ll find yourself in Porta, a mall with clothes and souvenirs shops. In front of the escalator is three hallways stretching left, straight and right. Follow the sign and head right.
After turning right from the escalator, it should look like this. It might feel like you accidentally took a wrong turn somewhere, but don’t worry, the station is straight ahead.
After a minute or two of walking through the mall, you’ll arrive in this open area. Heading straight will take you to the subway ticket machines and gates.
From Kyoto Station, it’s only 2 stations until Shijo. From the subway platform, hop on the Kokusaikaikan bound train going Kyoto > Gojo > Shijo. The journey takes 4 minutes and costs ¥220.
At the top of the station stairs, you’ll also see the Hankyu Karasuma Station to your right. On the right of the ticket gates is a long hallway. Going down this hallway will take you to Shijo Kawaramachi.
For Nishimi Market, head through the underground walkway until Exit 16.
Exit 16 takes 3 minutes from Shijo Station, but the road you come out on takes you directly to Nishiki Market.
The Kyoto Station taxi stand is to the right of and down a little from the North Exit and bus interchange. It shouldn’t be too hard to find as there are always several taxis waiting. 
This taxi stand often has lines of people waiting, but as the taxis come in and out regularly, you should be able to catch one fairly quickly. |
Shin[ Sharing Kyoto Staff ] |
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