The Kyoto Bus System is the lifeline for sightseeing in Kyoto.
There’s so many route that not only for the tourists, it plays a very important role for the locals to get around places as well.
It is very convenient to hop on a bus and go somewhere, but on the other hand, the number of route makes it very complicated.
There’s no better way of transport if you use the buses correctly.
This article will be introducing some recommended sights and famous tourist place along the City Bus route 3.
This bus route runs horizontally along Kyoto from East to West, and there are many good places to visit.
Stops includes, Shijo Karasuma and Shijo Kawaramachi which is right in the middle of the city, and Demachiyanagi Station where Keihan Railway runs.
Contents
- 1 Use of the Kyoto City Bus
- 2 Tourist place along the route.
Use of the Kyoto City Bus
The method of getting on and off the bus.
Rear entry, front exit. One person operated bus.
The flat rate line is 230 Yen per ride (120 Yen for Child), and you pay on exit. You can break up to 1000 Yen note.
Discounted Tickets
1 Day pass, or Kyoto Tour 1 day, 2 days pass is sold on the bus.
There’s stops that aren’t applicable with the 1 Day pass on the route 3.
After the stop “Kamihate Chou Kyoto Zokei Geidai (Kyoto University of Arts and Design)”, You will have to pay extra fee up on exit. There will be announcement on the bus, but it’s the stops between “Kitashirakawa Bettou Chou” and “Kitashirakawa Shibuse Chou”.
Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau
Tourist place along the route.
Before introducing the tourist places along the route, I will touch on the bus route and the location of each place.
Kyoto City Bus route 3, route map and tourist spot.
Bus stop Matsuobashi
I’ll start introducing the tourist spots furthest to the West on the route 3. It is best to hop on the bus from either Demachiyanagi or Shijo Kawaramachi if you think about the convenience of transport.
There’s Matsunoo Taisha near the stop. There’s a lot of grace of god such as brewing, development, civil engineering, and construction, as it is worshiped as the “Matsunoo No Mourei” been the tutelary god of Kyoto Rakusei.
sutekki
Located South of Matsunoo Taisha (Closest station is Kami Katsura Station), this shop is beautiful which sells antique items and general goods. Really recommended if you’re interested.
Address (Japanese) : 〒615-8282 京都市西京区松尾大利町20-36
Address (English) : 20-36 Matsuo Dairi Chou, Nishigyou-ku, Kyoto 615-8282
Tel : 075-874-2705
Website : http://sutekki-kyoto.com
Open : 12：00～19：00
Close : Mondays, Every second Sunday, and fourth Tuesday
Cafe Andante
Once you start walking along Saihou-ji River, next to Saihou-ji Temple a.k.a. Kokedera, a country looking garden will soon appear.
The shop’s interior is very cute along with the fancy goods they sell, such a beautiful space made by the owner.
How about a quick peak after visiting Suzumushi Dera or Saihou-ji Temple?
Address (Japanese) : 〒615-8294 京都市西京区室町地家町2－6
Address (English) : 2-6 Muromachi Jike Chou, Nishigyou-ku, Kyoto 615-8294
Tel : 075‐381-4887
Website : https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260403/26000313/
Open : 11：00～18：00
Close : Irregular
Cafe Grand Plie
It’s a fancy Italian restaurant with white painting on the outside just down from the Matsunoo Taisha Station.
You can use it as a place for lunch and dinner, or even as a cafe.
Address (Japanese) : 〒616-0023 京都市西京区嵐山宮ノ前町44
Address (English) : 44 Arashiyama Miyanomae Chou, Nishi Gyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-863-4123
Website : https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260403/26021098/
Open : 8：30～20：00（L.O.19:30）
Close : Irregular
Kaguyahime Take Goten
It’s a mysterious building with a splendid gate, in front of Saihou-ji Temple. Just next to the gate, there’s a sign reading “Kaguyahime Take Goten”.
This place is a bamboo built complex where they deify Kaguyahime. Please look at Kaguyahime which stands in the hall made only with bamboo.
Kaguyahime Goten, near Koke Dera #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA
More info about Theta here
The favourite of 360° camera, used in Kyoto!
Address (Japanese) : 〒615-8287 京都市西京区松尾万石町
Address (English) : Matsuo Mangoku Chou, Nishi Gyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-381-2970
Website : http://kaguya.xii.jp/kaguya/
Open : 10：00～16：00
Close : Irregular
Saihou-ji Temple (Koke Dera)
A World Heritage hidden away in Matsuo. The now gone Steve Jobs was said to visit here secretly.
Not only for the viewing of the beautiful garden, but it has the Sutra copying of the Heart Sutra, so everyone will be refreshed here.
If you want to pay a visit, you’ll need to make an appointment by a return post card.
Address (Japanese) : 〒615-8286 京都市西京区松尾神ヶ谷町56
Address (English) : 56 Matsuo Jingatani Chou, Nishi Gyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-391-3631
Website : http://www.kyoto-kankou.or.jp/info_search/?id=9525&r=1331435184.882
Open : Please make a booking first, then visit the place during the day
Bus Stop Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
There is a lot of traffic around the Uni, but it is reletively a calm and quiet area.
ea cafe
This cafe has a taste of American appearance. There’s pasta, hamburgers, and rice dish on the menu.
During cafe hours, there’s a small selection of desserts as well.
Address (Japanese) : 〒615-0064 京都府京都市右京区西院久田町１４
Address (English) : 14 Saiin Kuden Chou, Ukyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-314-2575
Website : http://www.ea-cafe.net/
Open : 11：30～23：00
Close : Irregular
Dice Cafe
It’s a cafe just like a hideout where three cats with great individuality lives.
There’s loft style seats, and area with comic books so you can relax in any way you want.
Address (Japanese) : 〒615-0064 京都府京都市右京区西院久田町２６−２
Address (English) : 26-2 Saiin Kuden Chou, Ukyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-203-7043
Website : http://dice-cafe.sakura.ne.jp/dicecafe/welcome.html
Open : 11:00～21:00
Close : Wednesdays
Bus Stop Kyoto City Hall
Even within to city area, Kyoto City Hall is close more towards the flourishing area. It is in fact the oldest city hall within the government ordinance designated city.
As it is in the middle of Kyoto city, a lot of nice restaurants, cafes, and shops gathers around this area.
dorama
The leader of Kyoto’s second hand clothes shop. Or it doesn’t hurt to say the leader of Kansai district’s second hand clothes shop?
It’s located on the North side of the Kyoto City Hall. The shop is famous for street style clothing and it is also famous in the Kanto District.
It is a place for younger adults, but if you’re interested in street fashion, you should have a look once.
Address (Japanese) : 〒604-0932 京都府京都市中京区寺町通り二条下る妙満寺町453呉波ビル 2F-A
Address (English) : 2F-A 453 Kureha Building, Myoumanji Chou, Naka Gyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-255-2606
Website : http://doramaonline.com/map.html
Open : 13：00～20：00
Close : Thursday (Open for Public Holidays)
Boulangerie de la Liberte’
Located along Teramachi Street just to the North of the Kyoto City Hall. It is highly rated from over seas, not only within Japan. The most recommended one is a genuinely made baguette.
Address (Japanese) : 〒604-0915 京都市中京区寺町通二条上ル常盤木町65-2
Address (English) : 65-2 Tokiwaki Chou, Naka Gyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-253-0500
Website : http://liberte-kyoto.com/
Open : 7:00〜19:00
Close：Monday
Bus Stop Kawaramachi Marutamachi
It’s a bit off from Shijou and the Kyoto City Hall, where a lot of apartments line up.
Once you face North, you’ll see the Kyoto Gyoen, where you see people strolling along having their usual walk.
ItalGabon
A small cafe that just serves Espresso in a little alley way. It also serves pasta with soft and sticky textured spaghetti, Panini, and desserts.
Have a break here when you’re tired of walking.
Address (Japanese) : 〒602-0894 京都府京都市 上京区中町通丸太町上ル俵屋町435
Address (English) : 435 Tawaraya Chou, Naka Machi Marutamachi, Kamigyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-255-9053
Website : http://italgabon.blog133.fc2.com/
Open : 11：30～22：00（L.O. 21：00）
Close：Irregular（Please keep an eye out on Twitter and the website）
kashiya
If I had to explain the sweets here in a sentence, it’ll be “a blend of Japanese and Western Style”, but the actual sweets are impossible to explain it in a single sentence.
Kyoto is known for the high quality of Wagashi, but no one knew that such good quality shop like this one existed.
Address (Japanese) : 〒606-8372 京都府京都市 左京区吉永町270－3
Address (English) : 270-3 Yoshinaga Chou, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-708-5244
Website : https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26024343/
Open : Mon to Fri 11：00 ～ L.O. 18：30 Sat/Sun/Public Holiday 11:00 ～ L.O. 19：30
Close：Tuesdays
Bus Stop Koujinguchi
It’s a nice chilled atmosphere bus stop on the East side of Kyoto Goen just North from Kawaramachi Street, close by Kyoto Hospital. There’s many fance general stores, Islam Restaurant, bakery, and chilled cafe. Koujinguchi might be the next remark of Kyoto?
Bonne Volonte
It serves Stone Oven baked bread, which is pretty rare even within the Kansai area.
The bread loaf is especially popular and it always gets sold out in a second.
Address (Japanese) : 〒602-0855 京都府京都市上京区河原町 通荒神口下る上生洲町229−1
Address (English) : 229-1 Kami Ikesu Chou, Kawaramachi Koujinguchi, Kami Gyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-213-7555
Website : https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260302/26002684/
Open : 11：00～20：00
Close：Sundays / Mondays / All August
LAND
This shop opened in 2016 and became famous when it got introduced on the TV.
It serves Bagel with rock salt, and bread made with natural yeast.
Address (Japanese) : 〒075-231-7738 京都府京都市上京区荒神口通河原町東入ル亀屋町128
Address (English) : 128 Kameya Chou, Koujinguchi Kawaramachi, Kami Gyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-231-7738
Website : https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260202/26026718/
Open : 10:00～18:00
Close：Thursday
STOCKROOM
A shop for Antique furnitures and general goods.
It mainly has furniture from England and Denmark from the 60s to 70s, but they sometimes purchase Japanese furniture on random occasions as well.
Address (Japanese) : 〒602-0855 京都府京都市上京区上生洲町２２９−１
Address (English) : 229-1 Kami Ikesu Chou, Kami Gyo-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-212-8295
Website : https://www.stockroom-kyoto.com/
Open : 12：00～18：00
Close：Tuesdays
Kamogawa Cafe
It’s in the same building on the second floor as the STOCKROOM. They roast their own beans.
Why not a little coffee break in the warmth of the wooden interiors?
Address (Japanese) : 〒602-0855 京都府京都市上京区上生洲町２２９−１
Address (English) : 229-1 Kami Ikesu Chou, Kami Gyo-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-211-4757
Website : http://cafekamogawa.com/
Open : 12：00～23：00（L.O. 22：30）
Close：Thursdays
Bus Stop Demachiyanagi
It’s the terminal station of Keihan Line which connects Osaka and Kyoto.
There’s Kamo River as soon as you walk out of the station, so it’s a nice area for a walk along the river side.
Falafel Garden
It serves Kebab from Israeli food.
It uses falafel for vegans and is 100% plant material
Address (Japanese) : 〒606-8205 京都府京都市 左京区田中上柳町15ｰ2
Address (English) : 15-2 Tanaka Kami Yanagi Chou, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-712-1856
Website : http://www.falafelgarden.com/
Open : 11：00～22：00
Close：Open everyday
Demachi Futaba
When people say Daifuku (a soft round rice cake) in Kyoto, this shop comes first in mind.
There’s a massive line in front of the shop every day to get the signature item Mamemochi.
Address (Japanese) : 〒602-0822 京都府京都市上京区 河原町通今出川上る青龍町236
Address (English) : 236 Seiryu Chou, Kawaramachi Imadegawa, Kami Gyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-231-1658
Website : https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260302/26001520/
Open : 8:30～17：00
Close: Tuesdays / Every 4th Wednesday (Next day, if it’s a public Holiday
Shimo Gamo Shrine
Once you get off at the Keihan Demachiyanagi Station, and walk along the long path surrounded by woods, you’ll reach Kami Gamo Shrine
The shrine itself is very historic so there are a lot of visitors all year round, but for some reason, the path is very quiet and a calm atmosphere.
Address (Japanese) : 〒606-0807 京都府京都市左京区下鴨泉川町59
Address (English) : 59 Kami Gamo Izumikawa Chou, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-781-0010
Website : http://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/
Open : 06:00 ~ 17:30
Bus Stop Hyakumanben
Very close to Kyoto University, thus the huge number of students. Many old shops line up in this area.
Hyakumanben Handcraft Market
It’s a handcraft market held on the 15th of each month in Chion-ji Temple in Hyakumanben.
The line-up varies from art, handcraft, post cards, dishes, sweets, and handmade food.
It started off the trend of “Marcais” in Japan, so there’s so many cute, bizarre, and delicious things in this market.
Address (Japanese) : 京都市左京区田中門前町 知恩寺境内
Address (English) : Inside Chion-ji Temple, Tanaka Monzen Chou, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-771-1631
Website : http://www.tedukuri-ichi.com/hyakumanben/index.html
Open : 15th of every months 08:00 ~ 16:00 (Hail, Rain, or Shine)
Close : –
Bus Stop Kamihate Chou Kyoto Zoukei Geidai Mae (Kyoto University of Art and Design)
There’s Kyoto Uni of Art and Design at the foot of Uryuu Mountain near this bus stop, and a quiet residential area on the West side.
OPEN DOOR COFFEE
A Coffee Shop opened in December 2016.
Own and operated by a married couple, and they ONLY serves “World Top Class” coffee. So to speak it is a boutique shop of coffee.
Once you pay over a certain amount, you’ll receive a one day free pass. There’s power point on each table.
Address (Japanese) : 〒606-8253 京都府京都市左京区北白川瀬ノ内町２７−１
Address (English) : 27-1 Kitashirakawa Senouchi Chou, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-741-7323
Website : http://opendoor-kyoto.com/
Open : 11；00～19：00（L.O. 18：00）
Close : Thursdays
Sougen Cafe
Exactly as the name of the cafe (Sougen means grass field), green entrance and white based inside with refreshing plants all around the shop.
You can relax at both cafe time or lunch time.
Address (Japanese) : 〒606-8252 京都府京都市左京区北白川上終町10−2
Address (English) : 10-2 Kitashirakawa Kamihate Chou, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-724-4045
Website : http://www.sowgen.com/
Open : 11:0～19：00
Close : Every second Wednesday of the Month
Sowgen Brocante
Antique goods store right next to Sougen Cafe.
You’ll definitely come across something that has been aged well.
Address (Japanese) : 〒606-8252 京都府京都市左京区北白川上終町10−2
Address (English) : 10-2 Kitashirakawa Kamihate Chou, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-724-4045
Website : http://www.sowgen.com/
Open : 11；00～19：00
Close : Irregular
Patisserie Tendresse
This shop, in the middle of a residential area, is very famous Japan wide.
They only open 3 days a week! You have to keep an eye out on the weekly cakes on the website.
Address (Japanese) : 〒606-8151 京都府京都市左京区一乗寺花ノ木町3−３
Address (English) : 3-3 Ichijouji Hananoki Chou, Sakyou-ku, Kyoto
Tel : 075-706-5085
Website : http://www.kyotocake.com/menyu-biao
Open : Takeaway 11:30～19:00 / Dine in 13:00～18:00
Close : Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Usually open on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)
Taking only one bus in Kyoto will still allow you to find places to see, eat, and to shop, why don’t you hop on a bus and enjoy your bus trip around Kyoto.
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