Getting Your Bearings
Koto is a place name that shows up in several different contexts, and the practical travel advice below is drawn from material covering two Japanese cities whose names are easily confused with it: Kumamoto and Kyoto. If you are planning a trip to "Koto" in Japan, check carefully which place you are actually heading to before you book anything, because the transport networks described here belong to those two cities rather than to a single destination called Koto.
How Visitors Get Around
In both cities, public transport is the recommended way to move around, especially for sightseeing, because it lets you avoid traffic congestion. The core of the network is rail and, in Kumamoto, a tram system, supplemented by buses for the places the rails do not reach.
Trams, Subways and Trains
Kumamoto's tram network is the simplest part of the system to use. It runs on two lines, and the fare is flat regardless of how far you ride. You board at the rear and exit at the front, paying as you leave; the fare machines are on board, and having exact change ready is appreciated. The main hub is JR Kumamoto Station, and the lines connect to the bus centre, Suizenji Park, Kumamoto Castle and the shopping districts. Trams generally run from early morning until around 22:30.
Kyoto, by contrast, leans on trains and buses. A useful trick there is to avoid the crowds at the main station by using smaller JR stations around the city as your entry point for sightseeing, then transferring to the subway or a private railway for the final leg. For example, you can reach the castle area by taking a JR line to a nearby station and switching to the subway, and the eastern temple districts are served by transferring from a JR line to a private railway or the subway.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Buses fill in the gaps in both cities. In Kumamoto, fares are distance-based: you take a numbered ticket when you board and pay the amount shown on the monitor at the front when you get off. The central bus hub handles both city routes and long-distance highway buses. Bus hours vary by route but broadly match the tram's operating window.
Kyoto's bus network is heavily used for sightseeing, and the city has been adjusting it to reduce crowding, adding more frequent service on loop and main lines and introducing limited-express sightseeing buses that stop at major attractions. Boarding rules differ by bus type, so watch the signage: some buses have you enter at the front and exit at the middle, while regular city buses have you enter at the middle and exit at the front. Fares and which tickets are valid also vary by bus.
Kumamoto also runs a dedicated sightseeing loop bus linking the main station, the castle and a nearby historic site, with a single-ride fare and inclusion in one of the day passes. Guided day tours by charter bus are available to outlying destinations such as Mount Aso and Kurokawa Onsen. Note that the Mount Aso ropeway has been closed because of volcanic activity, with a shuttle bus running to the crater edge when conditions allow, so check its status before you go.
Tickets and Passes
Kumamoto offers a one-day tram pass and a broader one-day pass that covers the city, with an all-areas version also available. Major IC cards are accepted on the trams and buses, which saves you fumbling for coins.
Kyoto sells a one-day subway and bus ticket covering all subway lines and city buses plus several private bus operators, though some routes are excluded. Pass holders get discounts at various city facilities. Individual train and bus companies also issue their own passes, with details varying by destination and travel period.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Licensed taxis wait at the main transport hubs, hotels and the airport, and are easy to recognise by their roof light and a sign in the front window that indicates whether the cab is free or occupied. The rear doors open automatically, so let the driver operate them rather than reaching for the handle yourself. Fares are metered from a starting charge, and a late-night surcharge applies between 22:00 and 05:00.
Hailing apps are available, including the main Japanese taxi apps, and Uber operates in the country through licensed taxis rather than as a separate service. Taxi stands can be found outside the airport terminal and at the main exits of the central railway station.
Walking and Cycling
Central Kumamoto is pedestrian-friendly, particularly around the castle, the garden, and the covered shopping arcades, as well as along the riverside. Guided history and culinary walking tours are available, and you can easily explore on your own with a map or app. There are no particular areas to avoid on foot, but busy main roads are less pleasant because of traffic and noise, and narrow residential streets may lack sidewalks.
Bicycles can be rented in the city and in the Aso region, often from tourist information offices or hotels, with electric bicycles among the options. Some designated lanes exist, but many roads are shared with cars, and cycling on sidewalks is common, so give way to pedestrians. Helmets are advised, and you should use designated bicycle parking near stations and attractions. There are no tuk-tuk or jeepney-style tourist rentals.
If you are carrying luggage in Kyoto, baggage storage is available around the main station, and luggage delivery services let you sightsee hands-free.
Accessibility
Newer trams and buses in Kumamoto have low floors, and the central railway station is equipped with elevators and ramps. The castle and the garden have accessible pathways, though older historical sections may involve stairs or uneven surfaces. It is worth contacting venues or the tourist information centre in advance for specifics, and note that some older tram stops are not fully accessible.
Renting a Car
Driving is on the left with right-hand steering. To rent a car you need a valid domestic licence, an International Driving Permit obtained before arrival, your passport and a credit card; the minimum age is generally 18, though some companies require 20 or 21. Major rental firms operate in the area, and advance booking is recommended during busy periods. Roads in the region are in excellent condition and traffic laws are strictly enforced, with zero tolerance for drink driving. Take care on narrow residential and older-town streets and on snowy or icy mountain roads. Paid parking is widely available downtown.
Getting In From the Airport
Kumamoto Airport has taxi stands directly outside the terminal, and the city's main railway station is the hub where the tram, buses and taxis all converge, making it the natural arrival point for onward travel into the city. If you are heading to Kyoto instead, the equivalent hub is its main railway station, where you will find baggage storage and delivery services and can connect to the subway, city buses and private railways for sightseeing across the city.
Planning Tools
For Kyoto, a dedicated route planner that accounts for road conditions and congestion is worth using, since general map and transfer apps tend to underestimate travel time in traffic. The city's online tourist information centre offers chat, FAQs, brochures and maps. In Kumamoto, the tourist information centre can help with accessibility questions and local guidance.