Access & Key Information
Access to Kyoto
Airports
Our top recommendation is Kansai International Airport. You can fly to Kansai directly from many cities in Europe, the Americas, Australia, and elsewhere in Asia. If you would like to be in the Tokyo area before moving on to Kyoto, consider either Narita or Haneda. And if you plan to spend time in the Nagoya area, Central Japan International Airport (Centrair) is the best choice
From Kansai International Airport
By train, the JR Airport Limited Express HARUKA service departs for JR Kyoto Station every 30-60 minutes. The journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you prefer a limousine bus, tickets are available at street level outside the airport's terminal building. The bus will take you to JR Kyoto Station in about 1 hour 45 minutes.
From Narita International Airport
With a bit of planning, you can transfer to a flight from Narita to Osaka International Airport (Itami). From Itami, take an airport limousine bus to JR Kyoto Station (about 55 minutes).
If you intend to go first to central Tokyo, we recommend a JR Narita Express train to JR Tokyo Station (53 minutes).
When you move on to Kyoto, take the JR Shinkansen (bullet train) to JR Kyoto Station. Trains bound for Kyoto leave every few minutes. The fastest service, Nozomi, will take you there in about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
From Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
Many flights are available from Haneda to Osaka International Airport (Itami). From Itami, as we noted above, you can take an airport limousine bus to JR Kyoto Station (about 55 minutes).
If you want to go to central Tokyo after arriving at Haneda, then we recommend the train, the monorail, or a taxi. A Keikyu line train journey to Shinagawa, for example, will take about 15–20 minutes.
JR Shinagawa is the first stop after Tokyo for JR Shinkansen trains bound for Kyoto. A Nozomi from JR Shinagawa will take you to Kyoto in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.
From Central Japan International Airport (Centrair)
From Centrair, take a Meitetsu Railways Limited Express train (28 minutes) to JR Nagoya Station. Then the JR Shinkansen to JR Kyoto Station (Nozomi: 37 minutes).
Passports and Visas
All foreign visitors entering Japan must possess a valid passport. Japan has Visa Exemption Arrangements with 74 countries and regions (as of September 2025). You can find an updated list of these countries and regions on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Visa Exemptions
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html#list
If you will be using a passport for a country or region that is not on the list, please seek guidance from the Consular Section of the Japanese Embassy or the nearest Consulate General of Japan.
For more information about visas, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Visa Information
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
Insurance
Participants are requested to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.