Local Information & Logistics

The workshop will be hosted at Kyoto University at:

Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics
Maskawa Hall, Maskawa Building

〒606-8502 Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho,

Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

JAPAN

[Google Maps]

Entering Japan & getting to Kyoto

VISA. Some passport holders require pre-arranged visas to enter Japan. You can find more information on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website [link]
SIM CARDS. If your local cell phone carrier doesn't cover Japan, you can get a SIM for use while in Kyoto. Physical SIM cards can be bought in international airports. If your phone supports one, you can also use an eSIM. There are many choices, Airalo [link] has worked well in the past.

Transport from the airport(s)

Kyoto is relatively far from the nearest airport. The closest are those near Osaka: Kansai (KIX) and Itami (ITM). Some participants are also flying into Tokyo to either Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT). Here are the recommended ways to get to Kyoto Station from these airports.

Kansai Airport (KIX), Osaka:

Haruka express train to Kyoto Station (¥3,430 for reserved, ¥2,200 if pre-purchased online [link] , cheaper for non reserved, time: 70 minutes)

The fastest way to get to Kyoto station from Kansai Airport. The train station is connected to the airport.

Shuttle bus to Kyoto Station [link] (¥2,800, time: 85 minutes)

Itami Airport (ITM), Osaka:

Shuttle bus to Kyoto Station [link] (¥1,340, around 50 minutes)

Note: A few of these buses will also stop at Demachiyanagi Station, which is much closer to the university (these buses depart later in the evening). You can also catch a train, but this may require several transfers.

Haneda Airport (HND), Tokyo:

Take a train from the airport to Shinagawa Station, then transfer to the Shinkansen bound for Kyoto Station. (¥13,970, time: 2hrs 34mins)

Narita Airport (NRT), Tokyo:

Take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station, then transfer to the Shinkansen bound for Kyoto Station (¥17,000, time: 3hrs 30mins)

Taxi:

The simplest way to get to your hotel from Kyoto Station is to catch a taxi. A taxi to the University from Kyoto Station costs approximately ¥3000. There are taxi stands on the north and south exits of the station. Not that not all taxi drivers speak good English, so make sure you have a translation app. Most taxis accept credit card payments, but a few only accept cash.

Getting around Kyoto

Kyoto University is close to many temples and the famous Philosopher's Path. YITP has prepared a guide including many restaurants, convenience stores, and cafes [link]. Kyoto also hosts many traditional flea markets throughout each month [link].

Public Transit

Like many cities in Japan, Kyoto is well served by public transit—buses, trains, and subways (although not as efficient as Tokyo). Note that this time of year, public transit may be crowded in central Kyoto and other tourist areas.

Japan’s IC cards: If you intend to use public transit often, we suggest getting an IC card. These are travel cards that you load with cash and then tap to use public transit (you can buy other things, too). Each region in Japan has its own card; in the Kyoto/Osaka region (Kansai), the card is called ICOCA and in the Tokyo region there are two: PASMO and SUICA. Regardless of which one you have, once the cards are loaded, they can be used on local public transit throughout Japan. You can get an IC Card from vending machines in most train and subway stations; these same machines can be used to load the cards with cash.

Local Train/Subway:

Kyoto has a handful of local train lines. You enter by tapping your IC Card at the turnstiles at your departure station and then to exit at your destination. You are typically charged depending on how far you ride.

Bus:

Buses in Kyoto are entered from the doors in the middle of the bus and exited out the front door by the driver. You pay as you exit using either an IC card or in cash. If you’re using cash, you must have exact change. Fortunately, there is a little machine right near the driver that can make change from your notes. Bus journeys within the city are a single price (¥230) regardless of distance, and there are no transfers.

Bicycle:

Kyoto is relatively small and flat making it ideal for cycling. For people who are comfortable riding a bike, we recommend getting around primarily by bicycle. You can rent a cheap city bike (called a ‘mamachari’) for an extended period from a variety of places. Be careful to park your bike at designated parking areas (~¥100-200 to park your bike at a privately owned bike parking lot). In Kyoto, they don’t allow you to park a bike anywhere on the sidewalk — the city frequently patrols and removes illegally parked bicycles. You should be able to park your bike on campus in front of YITP, please check with us.

The two main public transit routes from the downtown area to YITP are highlighted in blue (bus routes) and red (train line).

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