Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

Sky Hop Bus: Kyoto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Kyoto sightseeing bus passing Kinkaku-ji Temple with tourists onboard.

Kyoto sightseeing bus passing Kinkaku-ji Temple, Japan.

Kyoto sightseeing bus passing by traditional Japanese architecture.

Kyoto sightseeing bus at a stop near traditional Japanese architecture.

Explore Kyoto on this hop-on hop-off tour and choose between a 1-day or 2-day pass for a flexible itinerary.

Highlights

Maximize your Kyoto adventure with a 1-2 day unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass. The city's top attractions are yours to explore at your leisure.
Enjoy flexibility with 3 routes and 14 carefully chosen stops across Kyoto. Buses run every 40 minutes, so you can savor each location to your heart's content.
Climb aboard open-top buses and enjoy audio commentary in 7 languages. Watch Kyoto's captivating streetscapes unfold before your eyes as you tour the city.
Journey through time at the UNESCO site Nijo Castle, the 18th-century Imperial Palace, and along the enchanting Kamo River.

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

Cancellation policy

These tickets can’t be cancelled. However, you can use them any time within the next 3 months.

Reviews

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215 ratings

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Coral

5/5

Nov, 2024

We had great staff helping us with our stroller and wheelchair, everything was very well explained and Ilwe loved the tour and the city! Keep up with the great work!

Stephanie

4/5

Nov, 2024

We had a one day pass and managed to see the sites we wanted to (not all the sites in the tour). Visited Nijo-Jo Castle, The Golden Pavillion and SanjuSangendo on the red bus then caught the purple bus back to Kyoto Station and another purple bus to Gion for late pm early eve. Got the last bus back from Gion. All worked really well

Camille

4/5

Oct, 2024

On time bus was good because you could rely on catching the next bus. But the Museum was closed at one of the stops but we NOT advised of that. So we wasted time doing nothing waiting for next bus. As a tourist service, the people who run the service should know this and advise passengers.

Gillian

3/5

Oct, 2024

Liked the idea of hop on hop off, but found finding some of the stop points hard to locate particularly when stop was incorporated in a general bus stop - the sign sign was not obvious. Also you can't do much with a one day ticket at the most3/4 stops

Michael

5/5

May, 2024

The bus is a great city travel incentive Easy to buy a ticket Very helpful staff Lovely drop-off options Typical of Japanese service and culture You should be rightfully proud of your country Clean respectful beautiful manners and welcoming Thank you Michael and Maggie Kavanagh Australia

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Ticket validity

These tickets are valid for 3 months from the date of purchase.

Routes & schedule

Embark on an enriching journey through Kyoto's heritage on our hop-on hop-off tour. With three routes and 14 stops dotted across the city, get up-close to the city's most famous spots. From Nijo Castle's 'Nightingale Floors' that chirp like birds to Heian Shrine's iconic torii gate, discover the city's secrets. Don't miss Kyoto Tower's observation deck for breathtaking city views!

Schedule

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

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.

Know before you go

What's not allowed

Keep in mind food & beverages and alcohol are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!

Additional information

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).