About Eizan Railway
Eizan Railway has two lines in the northern part of Kyoto called “Rakuhoku”.
Our starting point is Demachiyanagi station near Kyoto Imperial Palace and Shimogamo-jinja shrine.
From Demachiyanagi station, trains on both lines head north to the Takaragaike station, where the lines split into two directions. One line goes eastward to Yase-Hieizanguchi station, and the other line goes westward to Kibuneguchi and Kurama stations.
Along the westward line, there are a number of shrines and temples with a long history and long-established traditions, such as Kifune-jinja shrine and Kurama-dera temple. The area also has distinctive attractions for each season. Refreshing green leaves in spring, exquisite meals served on the platform built over the cool water in summer, stunning autumn foliage, and snowy scenery in winter.
For the Kurama Line to Kibuneguchi and Kurama stations, we have a special scenic train called “KIRARA”. It features large windows through which passengers can enjoy a wide view of the scenery during all seasons.
For the Eizan Line to Yase-Hieizanguchi station, we have a special train called “HIEI”.
Access
Access from Kansai International Airport
Access from Major Stations
Tengu
Kurama-dera Temple
Kibune
Kifune-jinja Shrine
Garden Museum Hiei
（Closed in winter）
Hieizan Enryaku-ji Temple
Maple Tree Tunnel
After 20 minutes train ride from Demachiyanagi station, the trains reach to the part between Ichihara station and Ninose station, called “Maple Tree Tunnel”, where the passengers can enjoy amazing maple leaves on both sides of the train track through the large windows from inside. During this stretch of 250 meters between the two stations, there are as many as 280 maple trees, showcasing their refreshing green leaves in summer, and colored leaves in autumn.
Sightseeing Train
- Panorama Train “KIRARA”
- Route: Demachiyanagi ～ Kibuneguchi, Kurama
- Timetable
- Weekdays
- Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays
Panorama Train “KIRARA”
- “HIEI”
- Route: Demachiyanagi ～ Yase-Hieizanguchi
- Timetable
- Weekdays
- Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays
※Unavailable on Tuesday
Route Map / Value Tickets /
Fare / Timetable
Route Map
Eizan Line
The Eizan Line is a 5.6 km long railway that runs from Demachiyanagi Station to Yase-Hieizanguchi Station. It starts at Demachiyanagi Station and passes through popular sightseeing areas like Ichijoji and Shugakuin, finally reaching Yase-Hieizanguchi Station, which is located along the Takano River.
From Yase-Hieizanguchi Station, passengers can take a Eizan cable car and ropeway to the top of Mt.Hiei.（Note: The Eizan cable car and ropeway do not operate in winter.）There is also a bus service to the Ohara area from Yase-Hieizanguchi Station.
Kurama Line
The Kurama Line is an 8.8 km long railway that runs from Takaragaike Station to Kurama Station. Almost all trains on this line begin their journey at Demachiyanagi Station and head directly to the Kurama Line via Takaragaike Station.
Riding the train on this line offers passengers a variety of views, from expansive countryside fields to mountainous landscapes with steep slopes and curves.
Value Tickets
Ee Kippu（Eizan Railway 1-day Ticket）
This 1-day pass, the “Ee Kippu,” is a perfect choice for passengers who want to fully enjoy the many popular tourist attractions along the Eizan Railway. This ticket enables passengers to get on and get off at any station as many as one likes on the day. Another feature of this ticket is that by showing this ticket, the passengers are able to get discounts or small gifts at some shrines, temples and many other spots.
<Price>
Adult（aged 12years or older）: 1,200yen
Child（aged 6 to 11years）: 600yen
<Locations to purchase>
Demachiyanagi station, Shugakuin station（office）, and Kurama station（9:40~16:30）
<Sales period>
Throughout the year
<The term of validity>
Any 1-day from the day you purchase the ticket to the end of next month.
<Covered area>
All lines of Eizan Railway（Eizan Line and Kurama Line）
Not valid for Eizan cable car and ropeway.
Kyoto Ichijoji Ramen Kippu（Ramen Ticket）
Discover your favorite ramen in the most competitive ramen district of Kyoto!
You can travel around for the whole day on the Eizan Railway with a 1-day unlimited ride ticket that comes with a ramen ticket that can be used to eat at one of the participating ramen restaurants in the Ichijoji area. In addition to the Ichijoji area, this deal is also a great chance to visit the Yase, Kibune, and Kurama areas.
<Price>
Adult（aged 12years or older）: 1,900yen（Adult only）
<Locations to purchase>
Demachiyanagi station
<Sales period>
2024.4.1～2025.3.31
<The term of validity>
Any 1-day during the sale period
<Values of this ticket>
・Eizan Railway 1-day Ticket
・Selected ramen at one of the participating stores
Fare
Example:
Demachiyanagi Sta. → Ichijoji Sta., Shugakuin Sta.
（Adult: 220 yen Child: 110 yen）
Demachiyanagi Sta. → Yase-Hieizanguchi Sta.
（Adult: 280 yen Child: 170 yen）
Demachiyanagi Sta. → Kibuneguchi Sta., Kurama Sta.
（Adult: 470 yen Child: 240 yen）
JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be used for Eizan Railway.
How to board the trains of Eizan Railway
Eizan Railway runs on the driver-only operation（Conductorless Train）.
Please see the chart below showing how to board the trains. The passengers’ cooperation is highly appreciated.
From Demachiyanagi station
How to board the trains from Demachiyanagi station
Please purchase a ticket from ticket vending machine at the station and pass the automatic ticket gate to board the train.
- Ticket Vending Machine
- Please purchase a ticket to your destination. You cannot purchase special value tickets or charge your IC card with this ticket vending machine. For special value tickets, please go to the information counter. IC card charge machine is installed inside the ticket gates. Please ask the staff on the details.
- Information Counter
- At this information counter, you can purchase various kinds of special value tickets.
- Train Departure Board
- Please check the departure time and platform number of your train.
- Ticket Gates
- After passing the ticket gates, you will find three platforms, No.1, No.2, and No.3.
Most trains for Yase-Hieizanguchi depart from the track No.1.
Most trains for Kibuneguchi and Kurama depart from the track No.2 and No.3.
Please check the destination notice of the train carefully since some trains stop on the way, without going to the final stop.
How to exit from Demachiyanagi station
Please bring your ticket or fare to the ticket gate.
From the other stations than Demachiyanagi
How to board the trains from the other stations than Demachiyanagi
- If you have an IC card, please touch the “IC Card Reader” with your card before boarding.
If you don’t have an IC card, please take the “Proof of Boarding Ticket” at the station. - Some stations have a ticket vending machine, where you can purchase your ticket.
- You board a train from the rear door of the car. If the train has two cars, you will enter from the rear door of a front car.
Please wait at the “Boarding Point” signage on a platform.
You could enter a train from the front door, but please note that you should wait until all the passengers getting off the train get off first.
How to get off the trains at the other stations than Demachiyanagi
- Please exit from front door of the train. If train has two cars, please get off from the front door of a front car.
- Please put your ticket,or fare in the “Fare Box” beside the driver. If you have an IC card, please touch the “IC Card Reader” with your card. If you have a commuter pass, please show it to the driver.
- When trains or stations are crowded with many passengers, it will be announced that the staff will be collecting the tickets, “Proof of Boarding Ticket” and fare at the station to make the flow of passengers smooth. Please exit from any door nearby when you get off the train.
