The Tozai Line is one of two subway lines operated by Kyoto Municipal Subway. The line runs east to west through central Kyoto between Rokujizo Station and Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station. Some Keihan Keishin Line trains also run through from Misasagi onto the Tozai Line toward Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae or Uzumasa Tenjingawa. “Tozai” literally means “East-West”. At Karasuma Oike Station it connects with the other subway line, the Karasuma Line, which runs north to south, and this gives you access to Kyoto Station.
Tozai Line Ticket Machines at Sanjo Keihan Station.
A bilingual route map with fares is clearly displayed above the machines
The Tozai Line is useful for getting from the center of the city to sightseeing districts like Higashiyama in the east and Nijo Castle in the west. At Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station you can also transfer to the Keifuku Randen Line to access Arashiyama in the west or Kinkakuji Temple (the Golden Pavilion) in the north. To access the Tozai Line from Kyoto Station take the JR Sagano Line to Nijo Station and then transfer.
Tozai Line stations are unique in Kyoto in that, for safety reasons,
the platform is completely screened off from the tracks
Key Destinations
There are 17 stations on the Tozai Subway Line. They are all numbered with the letter T. The following are the stations you are most likely to visit running east to west.
T01 Rokujizo Station
This is the first station on the Tozai Line. Here you can transfer to the JR Nara Line and Keihan Uji Line.
T03 Daigo Station
Exit here for UNESCO World Heritage Site Daigoji Temple. This temple is famous for its five storey pagoda and for the Bentendo Hall which, viewed from across a pond, is particularly stunning when surrounded by autumn colors.
T04 Ono Station
Exit here for Kajuji Temple and Zuishinin Temple. Both of these ancient temples are known for their gardens. Kajuji is especially famous for its water lily pond, and Zuishinin is famous as the last home and refuge of the 9th century court beauty and poet, Ono no Komachi.
T07 Yamashina Station
Transfer here to the JR Biwako Line, the JR Kosei Line and the Keihan Keishin Line.
T08 Misasagi Station
Transfer here to the Keihan Keishin Line which runs between Misasagi and Biwako-hamaotsu Station in Otsu, the capital city of Shiga Prefecture. Some Keihan Keishin Line services continue onto the Tozai Line without a transfer.
T09 Keage Station
Exit here for Kyoto International Community House, The Westin Miyako Kyoto, and the great temple complexes of Nanzenji and Eikando Zenrinji.
T10 Higashiyama Station
To the north of Higashiyama Station is the museum district of Okazaki, Heian Jingu Shrine, and Kyoto Zoo. To the south are the many temples of the southern Higashiyama sightseeing district.
T11 Sanjo Keihan Station
Head east from this station and you can access the northern part of the Gion entertainment district and Heian Jingu Shrine. To the west, across Sanjo Bridge, you have immediate access to the Sanjo and Kawaramachi shopping districts, and the historic alley of Pontocho. You can also transfer here to the Keihan Main Line.
T12 Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station
From this station you can access Kyoto City Hall and Hotel Okura Kyoto. This station also gives easy access to the Kawaramachi and Teramachi shopping streets.
T13 Karasuma Oike Station
This station lies under the intersection of Karasuma Street and Oike Street. Exit here for The Museum of Kyoto, Kyoto International Manga Museum, and the ShinPuhKan complex. Transfer here to the Karasuma Subway Line.
T14 Nijojo-mae Station
This is the closest station to Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates from 1603. The castle grounds contain several beautiful buildings of historical and architectural interest as well as extensive gardens which are famous for their plum and cherry blossom in the spring and maple leaves in the autumn.
T15 Nijo Station
Transfer here to the JR Sagano Line that runs between Kyoto Station and JR Saga-Arashiyama Station.
T17 Uzumasa Tenjingawa Station
This is the last stop on the Tozai Line. The big attraction here is TOEI Kyoto Studio Park, also known in Japanese as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura. This theme park is also a working film set used to make historical dramas, usually featuring samurai warriors of the Edo era. Among the attractions are sword fighting displays, ninja performances, a maze and a haunted house. It is also possible to dress up in costume and watch the filming of TV dramas and movies. Transfer here to the Keifuku Randen Line for connections to the Arashiyama district or Kinkaku-ji Temple (the Golden Pavilion).
Platform doors open first and then the train doors open
Discount Tickets
Kyoto Municipal Subway is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, however discount passes are available. These are as follows:
The Kyoto City Subway 1-Day Pass gives unlimited travel on the Tozai and Karasuma subway lines. It is priced at 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children.
The Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass covers all Kyoto Municipal Subway lines, all Kyoto City Bus routes, and specified Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, and West Japan JR Bus routes. It is priced at 1,100 yen for adults and 550 yen for children.
IC cards such as ICOCA, Suica, PASMO, PiTaPa and other compatible nationwide cards can be used on the Kyoto Municipal Subway and Kyoto City Buses. Overseas visitors may also be able to buy a KANSAI ONE PASS at Kyoto City Bus & Subway Information Centers.
Surutto Kansai’s KANSAI RAILWAY PASS is offered during set sales periods for overseas visitors. It covers metro and private railway travel across Kansai, but does not cover JR trains or buses, so check the official KANSAI RAILWAY PASS website before planning around it.
Useful Links
To see how the Tozai Line connects with the rest of Kyoto’s rail network, use the official Kyoto City Bus & Subway route map page, which links to subway, bus and sightseeing route maps.
Subway line information, station maps, timetables and fares are available from the official Kyoto City Bus & Subway subway guide. To find train and transfer times quickly and easily, use the KYOTO Transit Planner, Jorudan or Navitime.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 17-Jun-2026.
