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A Zen temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf.
Hop-on Hop-off Kyoto Bus Tours
- Buckle up for Kyoto's best ride! This 1 or 2 day hop-on hop-off tour will have you zigzagging through the city like a ninja on a sugar rush.
- Choose from 3 routes with 14 strategic stops across Kyoto. Buses arrive every 40 mins, allowing you to immerse yourself in each location at your own pace.
- Open-top buses? Check. Seven-language audio guide? You bet! Prepare for sensory overload as Kyoto's vibrant tapestry unravels before your eyes.
- Storm Nijo Castle, a UNESCO UNESCO World Heritage site, time-travel at the Imperial Palace, and get starry-eyed over Kamo River along your route.
- Buckle up for Kyoto's best ride! This 1 or 2 day hop-on hop-off tour will have you zigzagging through the city like a ninja on a sugar rush.
- Choose from 3 routes with 14 strategic stops across Kyoto. Buses arrive every 40 mins, allowing you to immerse yourself in each location at your own pace.
- Open-top buses? Check. Seven-language audio guide? You bet! Prepare for sensory overload as Kyoto's vibrant tapestry unravels before your eyes.
- Storm Nijo Castle, a UNESCO UNESCO World Heritage site, time-travel at the Imperial Palace, and get starry-eyed over Kamo River along your route.
Inclusions
- 1 or 2-day unlimited hop-on-hop-off pass
- Access to Red, Purple & Green routes
- Audio guide in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French & German
- Free Wi-Fi
- Poncho/raincoat (during rainy season)
Exclusions
- Entry to attractions
Please click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red route
- First bus: 9am from Kyoto Station
- Last bus: 7pm from Kyoto Station
- Frequency: Every 40 mins
- Popular stops: Nijo-Jo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple
Purple route
- First bus: 9:20am from Kyoto Station
- Last bus: 5:09pm from Kyoto Station
- Frequency: Every 40 mins
- Popular stops: Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace
Green route
- First bus: 12:15pm from Kyoto Station
- Last bus: 6:01pm from Kyoto Station
- Frequency: Every 2 hours
- Popular stops: Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto National Museum
- Children under six years of age can travel for free if they are not occupying a separate seat.
- Facilities: lockers, rooves, air conditioning/heating (depending on the season).
- These tickets can’t be cancelled. However, you can use them any time within the next 3 months.
- These tickets are valid for 3 months from the date of purchase.
4.3(2,277)
Combo (Save 5%): Kyoto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Nidec Kyoto Tower Tickets
from ¥5,200
¥4,940
5% off
- Kyoto's ultimate combo: 1 or 2-day hop-on hop-off tours plus Kyoto Tower access. It's like having the whole city in your pocket, with a birds-eye view to boot.
- Hop on and hop off, and conquer Kyoto! The open-top bus whisks you to 14 hotspots, from ancient castles to flowing rivers like Nijo Castle and the Kamo River.
- Cruise in style on the double-decker as a 7-language audio guide spills Kyoto's famous tale – it's like a history podcast come to life!
- Ascend Kyoto's crown jewel! Built atop a lighthouse-shaped building, Kyoto Tower offers sprawling cityscape views that'll leave you breathless.
- Elevate your experience at the observation deck and spot historic shrines and temples through telescopes. It's like time travel, but with better views.
- Kyoto's ultimate combo: 1 or 2-day hop-on hop-off tours plus Kyoto Tower access. It's like having the whole city in your pocket, with a birds-eye view to boot.
- Hop on and hop off, and conquer Kyoto! The open-top bus whisks you to 14 hotspots, from ancient castles to flowing rivers like Nijo Castle and the Kamo River.
- Cruise in style on the double-decker as a 7-language audio guide spills Kyoto's famous tale – it's like a history podcast come to life!
- Ascend Kyoto's crown jewel! Built atop a lighthouse-shaped building, Kyoto Tower offers sprawling cityscape views that'll leave you breathless.
- Elevate your experience at the observation deck and spot historic shrines and temples through telescopes. It's like time travel, but with better views.
Inclusions
Kyoto HOHO
- 1 or 2-day unlimited hop-on-hop-off pass by Sky Hop Bus
- Access to Red, Purple & Green routes
- Audio guide in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French & German
- Free Wi-Fi
- Poncho/raincoat (during rainy season)
Kyoto Tower
- Entry to Kyoto Tower (near stop 1, Red, Purple & Green routes)
Please click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red route
- First bus: 9am from Kyoto Station
- Last bus: 7pm from Kyoto Station
- Frequency: Every 40 mins
- Popular stops: Nijo-Jo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple
Purple route
- First bus: 9:20am from Kyoto Station
- Last bus: 5:09pm from Kyoto Station
- Frequency: Every 40 mins
- Popular stops: Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace
Green route
- First bus: 12:15pm from Kyoto Station
- Last bus: 6:01pm from Kyoto Station
- Frequency: Every 2 hours
- Popular stops: Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto National Museum
Kyoto HOHO
- Children under six years of age can travel for free if they are not occupying a separate seat.
- Facilities: lockers, rooves, air conditioning/heating (depending on the season).
Kyoto Tower
- Tip: On the 5th-floor observation deck of Kyoto Tower, you can find 8 touch-panel tourist information monitors for you to download onto your smartphone by scanning the QR codes.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- You can use the telescopes installed on the observation deck of the 5th floor of Kyoto Tower for free.
- Children under 3 years of age can enter for free and for children aged 3-5 tickets must be purchased onsite.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Why choose Hop-on Hop-off Kyoto?
Seamless city exploration
Easily connect Kyoto’s major sites without worrying about directions or language barriers, leaving you free to focus on enjoying the journey.
See iconic and hidden gems
From famous landmarks like Kinkaku-ji to local favorites off the beaten path, the bus routes cover a broad range of Kyoto’s treasures.
Create your own itinerary
Decide where to linger and what to skip — the flexibility to hop off at your favorites or stay on board for a full city loop is all yours.
Comfort and convenience
Skip the crowded trains and long walks. Enjoy the comfort of a double-decker bus with panoramic views and helpful staff on board.
Hop-on Hop-off buses are a great choice for
History buffs
Discover Kyoto’s centuries-old temples and palaces while listening to audio commentary that brings the past to life.
Market enthusiasts
Convenient stops near Nishiki Market and other local gems let you hop off for some shopping and street food tasting.
Art and culture seekers
Easily access Kyoto’s renowned art museums and galleries without worrying about public transport schedules.
Relaxed travelers
Enjoy the leisurely pace of the buses and soak up the city’s beauty without rushing from place to place.
Sky Hop Bus Kyoto: at a glance
Explore Kyoto's enchanting sights with Sky Hop Bus's Hop-on Hop-off tour. With three routes and 14 stops, discover the city's rich history and culture at your leisure.
Red route
- Timings: First Bus: 9:00 AM from Kyoto Station, last Bus: 7:00 PM from Kyoto Station
- Frequency: Every 40 minutes
- Total duration: Morning loop: 70 minutes; afternoon loop: 90 minutes.
- Popular stops: Nijo-Jo Castle, Kinkaku-ji Temple
Purple route
- Timings: First Bus: 9:20 AM from Kyoto Station, last Bus: 5:09 PM from Kyoto Station
- Frequency: Every 40 minutes
- Total duration: Morning loop: 70 minutes; afternoon loop: 90 minutes.
- Popular stops: Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace
Green route
- Timings: First Bus: 12:15 PM from Kyoto Station, last Bus: 6:01 PM from Kyoto Station
- Frequency: Every 2 hours
- Total duration: 90 minutes.
- Popular stops: Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto National Museum
How to book Hop-on Hop-off tickets
Top sights covered
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Frequently asked questions about Kyoto Hop-on Hop-off bus tour
Is it possible to bring a stroller on the bus?
Yes, folded strollers are generally permitted onboard.
Do I need to print my ticket, or is a digital ticket accepted?
Digital tickets shown on your phone are accepted by most operators.
Can I use my ticket on both routes if there are multiple lines?
Yes, tickets usually cover all available routes for the tour.
Do the buses have air conditioning?
Yes, buses are equipped with air conditioning for comfort.
Is commentary live or via audio guide?
Audio commentary in multiple languages is typically provided.