KYOTO CITY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

Ⅲ Necessary Information for Daily Life

3. Transportation

3-1 Bicycle Rules

(1) Rules about riding bicycles

・As a general rule, bicycles ride on the left side of the road. Riding on sidewalks is allowed if there is a sign posted permitting it:「自転車歩道通行可」

・Do not make a right turn at intersections like cars do. Instead, pass where there is a “Bicycle Crossing”: 「自転車横断帯」.

・Push your bicycle, rather than ride it on sidewalks, especially when there is a large number of people.

・Riding while under the influence of alcohol, riding with two people, or while using your portable phone for text messaging or talking is strictly prohibited. (These actions are punishable by law.)

・Always turn on your bicycle headlamp when riding at night.

・Be sure to lock your bicycle when you are finished riding it.

(2) Points to be aware of when parking bicycles.

Parking your bicycle on the sidewalk causes a great inconvenience to many people. Please park in the designated areas.

◆Removal of bicycles

＊Bicycles parked in congested areas, such as in front of stations etc., will be removed in accordance with Kyoto City regulations (jorei).

＊Parking is prohibited in places which have this sign (see figure).

◆If your bicycle is removed:

＊Removed bicycles are kept at the bike pound for 4 weeks.

＊If not claimed within this period, the bicycle will be disposed of.

＊If your bicycle is missing, first check for any notices or bicycle removal signs nearby. These will indicate where your bicycle has been taken.

“Bicycle Removal Enforcement Area”

◆To reclaim a removed bicycle

Look at the notice or bicycle removalsign near where you parked your bicycle to find out which pound it has been taken to. To reclaim your bicycle you need the following items: the key to your bicycle lock, identification and \2,300 (handling fee)

Kyoto City Construction Bureau Derelict Cars Management Division (Hochi Sharyo Taisaku-ka) (222-3565

(3) Crime prevention registration

＊Registration of bicycles (Bohan toroku) is a requirement of Japanese law. If your bicycle is stolen, the police can identify whose it is when found.

＊When you purchase a new bicycle, it can be registered at the place of purchase for \500 (valid for 5 years)

＊If you receive a bicycle with a registration certificate from a friend, you must change the registration to your name.

Kyoto Prefectural Police Headquarters, Parking section

(Kyoto-fu Keisatsu Honbu Chusha Taisaku-ka) (451-9111

3-2 Cars and Motorcycles

＊In Japan cars and motorcycles are driven on the left side of the street. You are required to wear seat belts in cars and to wear helmets on motorcycles.

＊Children under the age of 6 are required to ride in a child car safety seat.

＊If you are found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, talking on a mobile phone or sending text messages while driving, you will be severely punished.

＊If you own a car, you must have it inspected every two to three years. All vehicles must be insured.

◆International Driving Permits

If you have obtained an International Driving Permit, you are entitled to use it with no further action. It is good for one year from the date of issue, or for one year from date of arrival in Japan, which ever comes first.

※If you come from a country which has not joined “the Convention on Road Use (Geneva Convention)”, you are not allowed to use the International Driving Permit.

◆Transfer of foreign driver’s license to Japanese driver license

If you have a valid driver’s license from your own country and come to Japan without having obtained an International Driving Permit, you may apply for a Japanese driver license at the Driver License Examination Center (Untenmenkyo-Shikanjo (631-5181) 

＊Those who have German, French or Swiss nationalities are not required to change their licenses. For further information, please inquire at the Kyoto Police Headquarters.

Kyoto Prefectural Police Headquarters, Driver License Examination Center (Kyoto-fu Keisatsu Honbu Unten Menkyo Shikenjo) (631-5181

〈Conditions〉

① You have a valid driver license from another country.

② You can prove that you have lived in the country where you obtained that license for more than 3 months after it was issued.

〈Necessary documents for application〉

① A valid driver’s license from another country. Documentation that proves you lived in the country where you obtained that license for more than 3 months after it was issued.

＊You must have your foreign license translated into Japanese by an embassy, JAF ((682-6000) or other official institution.

② Passport

③ Certificate of Foreign Residents Registration

④ Personal seal (Signature is also acceptable)

⑤ 1 Photograph (3×2.4cm)

⑥ Application fee of \5,200 (standard license)

◆Japanese driver license

＊The expiry date of your license is written on the license itself.

＊Renewal is possible from one month prior to the expiration date. The required items for renewal include one photograph and your current driver’s license. The fee is 3,900 Yen. (If you have a clean driving record, this fee will be 1,000 Yen cheaper.)

uObtaining a Japanese driver’s license (Kyoto Prefecture)

＊While the practical test is only conducted in Japanese, the written test may be taken in English.

＊If you wish to sit for the examinations in English, please tell the instructor when you apply.

＊In order to pass the test, you must study Japanese traffic rules and regulations.

＊The driving age in Japan is 18 for automobiles and 16 for motorcycles. Unless you are of the above stated age, a driver’s license will not be issued.

Kyoto Prefectural Police Headquarters Driver License Examination Center (Kyoto-fu Keisatsu Honbu Unten Menkyo Shikenjo)

647 Furukawa-cho, Hazukashi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto (631-5181 Monday through Friday 8:30-9:30 (exam application period)

3-3 Access to Kansai International Airport

◆Getting to Kansai International Airport

Type of Transportation	Terminal	Time Duration
JR Special Rapid Express “Haruka”	JR Kyoto station	75 min.
JR Airport Express “Kanku-kaisoku”	JR stations Osaka and Kyobashi	2 hrs.+
Airport Limousine Bus Kansai Airport Limousine Bus Reservation Center (682-4400	Kyoto Station Hachijo-guchi, Kyoto Daigo, Nijojomae, Keihan-sanjo	105 min.
Limousine Taxi	MK Skygate Shuttle (778-5489 Yasaka Airport Shuttle (803-4800

◆To find out about flight times

Limousine Bus Center (0724-61-1374(8:00 to 20:00)

Kansai Airport Information Center (0724-55-2500(24 hrs.)

3-4 Public Transportation (Subways, Trains, Buses)

Subways

Subways are operated by Kyoto City. Part of the subway interoperates with a private railway. When you have traveled past the amount you have paid for on your ticket, adjust your fare in the fare adjustment machine or have it adjusted by a station employee before passing through the ticket gate. Smoking is not allowed on trains or in stations.

JR (JapanRailways)

JR is the largest railroad company in Japan, with lines extending to most locations around the country. Special fees are charged for riding the Special Express, the Green Car, sleeping cars, or the Shinkansen. People averse to cigarette smoke can choose no-smoking seats at no extra cost.

JR Telephone Center (8:00 to 22:00) (0088-24-5489

Other Trains

Destination	Trains	Telephone
Osaka	Hankyu Railway 40 min. by Special Express from Shijo Kawaramachi Station to Umeda. (No extra charge for Special Express)	211-1052
	Keihan Electric Railway 50 min. by Special Express from Demachi-Yanagi Station to Yodoyabashi. (No extra charge for Special Express)	561-0033
Nara・Ise	Kintetsu (Kinki Nippon Tetsudo) Kintetsu Kyoto Station is located to the south of JR Kyoto Station premises. (Extra charge for Special Express)	691-2560
Arashiyama	Keifuku Electric Railroad	841-9381
	Hankyu Railway	211-1052
Kurama・Yase	Eizan Railway	781-5121

Buses

(1) City Buses

The city bus system is operated by Kyoto City. When boarding a bus, enter from the entrance at the rear. To indicate your intention to get off the bus, push the button near the seat before you reach your stop. Insert your fare or ticket into the box located next to the driver’s seat and then get off at the front of the bus.

◆Fares

＊When you use a bus with a fixed-fare, wherever you get off, the bus fare will be \220.

＊When you ride a bus whose fee is based on the distance traveled: Take a ticket from the machine at the rear entrance. Before gettting off, insert your fare and ticket in the fare box. Fares are based on the chart (see ticket number) located at the front of the bus.

＊Children under 12 pay half the adult price. Up to two children under the age of 6 can travel free when accompanied by an adult.

＊When you have no change, you can exchange you bills for coins at the front of the bus.

◆ Route maps, etc.

＊City buses run to about 10:00 pm. The last city bus goes to the destination written in red lights on the signboard

＊English-language route maps are available at the city bus information office and the Kyoto International Community House.

Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau (801-2561 http://www.city.kyoto.jp/kotsu/

(2) Other buses

Kyoto Bus (northern Kyoto, Sagano, Arashiyamaareas) (871-7521

Keihan Bus (eastern Kyoto, southern Kyoto, Shiga) (682-2310

Kyoto Kotsu Bus (northern Kyoto) (344-3807

JR Bus (northern Kyoto) (672-2851

Kintetsu Bus (southern Kyoto) (642-1451

Hankyu Bus (Muko-shi) (957-1020

◆Discount Tickets

Various types of discount tickets (Waribiki-ken) are available for public trains and buses. For further information, inquire at the respective train or bus stations.

Ticket Type	Description
Coupon tickets (Kaisuken)	An economical purchase in small book form. You can buy discount coupon tickets for fixed routes.
Commuter tickets (Teikiken)	Unlimited use within a fixed period and route.
Special discount for students (Gakusei waribiki)	Students can purchase a student pass at a discounted fare with certification available from school or university. Furthermore, if you travel a distance of more than 100 km on the JR Railway, you can receive a discount.
One-day pass (Ichinichi joshaken)	Unlimited rides for one day.
Two-day pass (Futsuka Joshaken)	Unlimited rides for two days.
Traffica Kyo Card	Can be used both on subways and city buses. You can also use it for purchases from subway ticket vending machines and bus offices. You can use it on all bus and subway routes and it can be inserted directly into ticket gates.
Surutto Kansai Card	Can be used on city buses and subways, and also most private railways and buses in the Kansai Region.

3-5 Taxis

Fares vary depending on the size of the taxi, such as small-size taxis seating four people and mid and large-size taxis seating five people. A lamp displaying the taxi company’s name is attached to the roof of the taxi. Taxis in Japanhave automatic rear doors. The driver will open and close the doors for you.

◆How to catch a taxi

＊Raise your hand and stop a taxi along the street. A vacant taxi, indicated by a red lit-up sign on the dashboard, will stop for you.

＊You can also catch a taxi at designated taxi stands around stations and major roads.

＊You can also call a taxi company to have a taxi sent to pick you up.

◆Taxi Fare

＊A sticker on the passenger’s door indicates the base or starting fare. Check before getting into the taxi.

＊Taxi fares are 20 percent higher between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM.The fare system and base price may vary between companies.

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