The Keifuku Randen Tram Line is operated by the private company Keifuku Electric Railroad. The Randen actually consists of two lines in the west of Kyoto city. The Arashiyama Line runs east-west from Shijo-Omiya Station to Arashiyama Station. The Kitano Line branches from the Arashiyama Line at Katabiranotsuji Station and runs north, passing Satsueisho-mae Station, to Kitano-Hakubaicho Station.
Local people have a special nostalgic fondness for the Randen, because it is the last remnant of a network of tramlines that once served the whole city. The scenic routes along both lines also make for a very pleasant journey.
A Randen trolley car bound for Arashiyama
Keifuku Electric Railroad also runs the Eizan Cable Car and Eizan Ropeway for Mount Hiei. You can read about those services in our article on the Eizan Electric Railway.
Access
The Keifuku Randen Line does not connect directly with Kyoto Station. From Kyoto Station you can take City Bus 26, 28 and 206. These take roughly 16 to 23 minutes and cost 230 yen. You can also take the Karasuma Subway Line from Kyoto Station to Shijo Station, walk to Hankyu Karasuma Station, and then ride one stop to Hankyu Omiya Station for the Randen at Shijo-Omiya. This rail route costs about 390 yen. For bus, subway and train route details, check Arukumachi Kyoto.
Shijo-Omiya Station
Key Destinations on the Arashiyama Line
Shijo-Omiya Station
This is the beginning of the Randen Line and the transfer station with Hankyu Omiya Station. The Hankyu Line connects Omiya with the center of the city at Karasuma and Kyoto-Kawaramachi Stations.
Sai Station
The lively area around Sai Station is packed with shops, restaurants and bars. This is also a transfer point with the Hankyu Line at nearby Saiin Station. In addition, City Bus 205 departs from here for Kinkakuji (The Golden Temple). The bus takes 16 minutes and costs 230 yen.
Randen Tenjingawa Station
The big attraction here is UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE, also known in Japanese as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura. This theme park is connected with film and TV drama production, and its Edo-period sets, shows, cultural experiences and attractions make it a popular stop for visitors to western Kyoto. Here you can transfer to Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station on the Tozai Subway Line. For JR connections, use Randen-Saga Station for JR Saga-Arashiyama Station or Satsueisho-mae Station for JR Uzumasa Station.
Uzumasa Koryuji-mae Station
Exit here for Koryuji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Kyoto, which is famous for its wooden statue of the “future Buddha”.
Katabiranotsuji Station
This is the transfer station for the Kitano Line.
Rokuoin Station
Disembark here for the Zen temple of Rokuoin. Its garden is notable for its maple leaves in the autumn.
Arashiyama Station
This station gives access to the scenic Arashiyama and Sagano area, one of the major tourist attractions in Kyoto. Famous sites in this area include, the Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryuji Temple, the Arashiyama Monkey Park and the famous bamboo forest. Rickshaw rides and boating on the river are also popular activities.
Randen Arashiyama Station
Arashiyama Station’s unique point is that it also has a hot spring footbath where you can rest your weary feet.
Approaching Shijo-Omiya Station
Key Destinations on the Kitano Line
Katabiranotsuji Station
This is the transfer station for the Arashiyama Line.
Cherry Blossom Tunnel
Between Narutaki Station and Utano Station on the Kitano Line there is a “tunnel” of cherry trees. For one week during peak cherry blossom viewing season the tram will slow down so that passengers can fully enjoy these blossoms, and in the evening the trees are illuminated and the lights on the tram will be turned off. The cherry trees bloom roughly between the end of March and early April.
Omuro-Ninnaji Station
Exit here for Ninnaji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for a special variety of late blooming, low growing cherry trees called the Omuro Cherry.
Myoshinji Station
Alight here for the Myoshinji Temple Complex. There are about 40 subtemples in and around this complex, most of which are not open to the public but you can wander around the passageways between them and peak in at the gates. The four sub-temples that are open all-year round are Taizo-in, Shunko-in, Daishin-in and Keishun-in. It is possible to stay overnight at Shunkoin and also to take part in zazen meditation practice. The other three temples are famous for their gardens.
Ryoanji Station
This is the stop for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ryoanji Temple, which has Kyoto’s most celebrated and inscrutable rock garden. The layout of the fifteen rocks in raked white gravel is said to be a physical Zen riddle that will lead those who view it into deep contemplation. Ryoanji Temple is also a short walk away from another World Heritage Site, Kinkakuji Temple also known as the Golden Pavilion.
Tojiin-Ritsumeikan University Kinugasa Campus-mae Station
Five minutes from this station is Tojiin Temple famous for its garden and for a striking painting of the Buddhist saint Daruma.
Kitano Hakubaicho Station
The last stop. This station is close by Hirano Shrine and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Hirano Shrine is known for its gardens and for a cherry blossom festival that has been held here for over a thousand years. Kitano Tenmangu is famous for its plum blossom orchard, and for a giant flea market that takes place on the 25th of each month.
Ticket gates at Shijo-Omiya Station
Fares
The Randen has a flat fare system of 250 yen for adults and 120 yen for children. Passengers can board from either the front or rear door, and pay when getting off. At Shijo-Omiya, Katabiranotsuji, Arashiyama and Kitano-Hakubaicho Stations, pay at the station ticket gate. At other stops, pay at the fare box beside the driver. Nationwide transport IC cards such as PiTaPa, ICOCA, Suica and PASMO can be used on the Randen. If using an IC card, touch the card when getting off; there is no need to touch in when boarding.
Discount Tickets
As the Randen Line is operated by a private company, it is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. However, there is a Randen 1-Day Free Ticket that allows you to take unlimited rides on both the Arashiyama Main Line and Kitano Line. This costs 700 yen for adults and 350 yen for children. It is sold at major Randen stations including Shijo-Omiya, Katabiranotsuji, Arashiyama and Kitano-Hakubaicho. Some facilities along the route offer benefits for ticket holders, but details vary by facility.
You can find route maps and timetables on the official Keifuku Randen route map and timetable page. For fare details, IC card use and discount tickets, check the official Randen fares and tickets page. For boarding instructions, see the official Randen how-to-use page. For route planning in Kyoto, including buses and railways, use Arukumachi Kyoto. However, to find a suitable train quickly and easily, it is best to use an English language online route finder like Jorudan or Navitime.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 15-Jun-2026.
