Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off Kyoto Bus Tours: Prices, Routes & FAQs
By 🏯🚌Kyoto, Japan’s former imperial capital, is rich in temples, gardens, shrines, and historic districts like Gion. While it’s highly walkable in places, its attractions are widely spread, making Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) bus tours — or HOHO-style sightseeing buses — a convenient way to visit major landmarks like Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Kiyomizu-dera, especially for first-time visitors or those short on time.
📝 Note: While Kyoto doesn’t have a large-scale HOHO bus network like London or Dubai, it offers guided loop bus tours, tourist shuttle services, and combo passes that function similarly.
🏯 Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off-Style Kyoto Bus Tours
1. Sky Hop Bus Kyoto – Open-Top Sightseeing Bus
- Price:
- ¥3,000 (~$20 USD) – 1-day pass
- ¥5,000 (~$33 USD) – 2-day pass
- Route: Kyoto Station ➔ Nijo Castle ➔ Kinkaku-ji ➔ Gion ➔ Heian Shrine ➔ Sanjusangendo
- Stops: 11 major landmarks
- Map: 📍 Official Route Map (Sky Hop Bus)
- Best For: Classic HOHO experience in Kyoto
2. Kyoto City Bus & Subway Sightseeing Pass
- Price:
- ¥1,100 (~$7.50 USD) for 1-day
- ¥2,000 (~$13.50 USD) for 2-day pass
- Includes: Unlimited rides on most buses and subways
- Best For: DIY hop-on-hop-off access to all major sites via public transit
3. JTB Sunrise Kyoto Guided Loop Bus Tour (No Hop-Off)
- Price: ¥6,800–¥9,000 (~$45–60 USD)
- Route: Kinkaku-ji ➔ Nijo Castle ➔ Imperial Palace ➔ Heian Shrine
- Best For: Guided panoramic experience with no transfers or walking
4. K’Loop Bus (Kyoto City Loop Shuttle – Seasonal)
- Price: ¥2,000 (~$13 USD)
- Stops: Kyoto Station ➔ To-ji ➔ Gion ➔ Kiyomizu ➔ Nishiki Market ➔ Ninna-ji
- Seasonal Service: Spring and autumn
- Best For: Tourists wanting simple loop access
5. Kyoto Bus One-Day Sightseeing Pass
- Price: ¥700 (~$5 USD)
- Includes: Unlimited access to Kyoto City Bus routes (covers most temples)
- Best For: Budget travelers comfortable with self-navigation
6. Sky Hop + Arashiyama Shuttle Combo
- Price: ¥5,500 (~$37 USD)
- Includes: HOHO bus + roundtrip shuttle to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 🎍
- Best For: Those who want to add a half-day bamboo forest visit
7. Kyoto Hop Bus – Fushimi & Gion Focused
- Price:
¥4,000 ($27 USD) - Route: Kyoto Station ➔ Fushimi Inari ➔ Tofuku-ji ➔ Gion
- Best For: Half-day shrine-focused hop-on-hop-off tour
8. Night Illumination Tour Bus (Seasonal, Non-Hop-Off)
- Price: ¥3,000–¥4,000 (~$20–27 USD)
- Route: Gion ➔ Kiyomizu Temple ➔ Kodai-ji (cherry blossoms or autumn leaves)
- Best For: Seasonal nighttime sightseeing ✨
9. Private Kyoto HOHO-Style Chauffeur Tour
- Price: ¥25,000–¥35,000 (~$170–$240 USD per group)
- Includes: Custom route, hotel pickup, personal driver
- Best For: Families or travelers with limited time
10. Hop-On Hop-Off Electric Rickshaw Tour (Local Districts)
- Price:
¥6,000–¥10,000 ($40–$65 USD) per person - Areas: Arashiyama, Higashiyama, or Gion
- Best For: Intimate, scenic rides with local storytelling
🗺️ Must-See Hop-On Hop-Off Stops in Kyoto
| Stop | Attraction Nearby |
|---|---|
| Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) | Iconic gold-leaf temple 🏯 |
| Gion / Yasaka Shrine | Geisha district, lantern-lit lanes 🎎 |
| Kiyomizu-dera | Hilltop temple with sweeping views and pagodas 🌄 |
| Fushimi Inari Taisha | 10,000 red torii gates climbing a sacred mountain ⛩️ |
| Nijo Castle | UNESCO-listed samurai-era palace 🏰 |
| Kyoto Imperial Palace | Historic seat of emperors with gardens 👑 |
| Arashiyama | Bamboo Grove, monkey park, riverboats 🎍 |
| To-ji Temple | Five-story pagoda and flea market 🛍️ |
| Heian Shrine | Grand vermilion torii and gardens 🌸 |
❓ FAQs – Hop-On Hop-Off Kyoto
✅ Is a HOHO bus worth it in Kyoto?
Yes — especially if you’re visiting for a short time.
Kyoto’s temples and districts are spread across different regions, and HOHO-style buses help avoid time-consuming transfers on local buses or trains.
🕒 How long is the full loop (Sky Hop Bus)?
- Full loop: ~90 minutes
- Buses every: 30–60 minutes
- Hours: ~9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (varies by route)
📍 Where do most HOHO buses start?
- Kyoto Station is the primary boarding point
- Other common stops: Gion, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji
🗣️ Is there audio commentary?
Yes — Sky Hop Bus includes multilingual audio (English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, etc.) 🎧
📱 Are mobile tickets accepted?
Yes.
Bookings from Sky Hop, GetYourGuide, and local operators accept mobile QR codes.
♿ Are HOHO buses wheelchair accessible?
Sky Hop buses are partially accessible (lower deck) — contact ahead to confirm.
Would you like a custom Kyoto HOHO day plan — combining shrines ⛩️, scenic districts 🌸, and the best local eats 🍵?
Or I can create a Google Map with all HOHO stops, walking trails, and matcha cafés — just let me know! 🚌✨
