Must-see for JR-WEST RAIL PASS holders! A short trip from Kyoto Station

From Kyoto to Higashi-Maizuru

If you take the limited express "Maizuru" from Kyoto Station to Higashi-Maizuru, you can travel smoothly without changing trains. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. To board the train, you will need a "board ticket" and a "limited express ticket", but if you have a JR-WEST RAIL PASS, you will need a reserved seat ticket at the automatic ticket machine at the station.

If you have a JR-WEST RAIL PASS, please refer to the video below.

For those with JR WEST RAIL PASS, how to receive express seat reservations

When you arrive at Higashi-Maizuru Station

Once you arrive at Higashi-Maizuru Station, it's about a 15-minute walk to Maizuru Red Brick Park. On the way, you can enjoy a nostalgic stroll through the red brick tunnel on the pedestrian-only road.

For more information on Akarenga Park, click here

7 minutes walk from Ayabe Station

A 7-minute walk from Ayabe Station takes you to Ayabe Gunze Square. In the birthplace of the global textile manufacturer Gunze, you can learn about the history and future of sericulture.

Experience the finest tea leaves, "Gyokuro"

You'll find Ayacha Cafe in the Ayabe Specialty Museum inside Gunze Square. This cafe specializes in Ayabe tea, a specialty of Ayabe. Although it's a cafe, there is no coffee on the menu. Instead, you can enjoy drinks such as gyokuro and sencha, as well as original sweets made with matcha, all at reasonable prices. Please come and experience the profound taste of this pinnacle of Japanese tea, which is completely different from matcha.

Ayabe ⇒ Fukuchiyama: 15 minutes by JR

Fukuchiyama Castle is about a 10-minute walk from the station and offers a great view from the castle tower.

After enjoying some Gyokuro tea at Ayacha Cafe, take the JR train from Ayabe Station to Fukuchiyama. Of course, if you have a pass, it's free. The journey takes about 15 minutes, so it goes by in a flash. Before arriving at Fukuchiyama Station, if you see Fukuchiyama Castle on your right, that's the landmark. When you arrive at Fukuchiyama Station, exit the north exit and head east. After walking for about 10 minutes, Fukuchiyama Castle will come into view.

Take home some chestnut terrine as a souvenir

Did you enjoy the view of the Yura River and the city from Fukuchiyama Castle? Adachi Otoemon is located right next to the castle. From high-quality terrines made with chestnuts, a specialty of the Tamba area, to terrines made with seasonal chestnuts from around the world, your favorite terrine is perfect as a souvenir.

From Fukuchiyama to Kyoto by direct express train

Arrived at Kyoto Station

*The JR timetables listed are based on the timetable as of September 2024. Please check the latest timetable before using the service.