Go from Kyoto Station to Fushimi Inari Taisha by bus - the last resort.
I would like readers of this article to also read the article about trains
If you're thinking of using the Kyoto City Bus for sightseeing in Kyoto, I really respect your bravery.
Let's try checking out the city bus route map on the Kyoto City Transportation Bureau website.
Did you understand? Even as a local, I often get the routes wrong.
But don’t worry. It seems the Kyoto City Transportation Bureau is aware of how complicated the routes are. They’re making an English guide that only extracts the main points.
https://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/webguide/en/bus/index_bus.html
First, you should check these route maps and make a note of the route numbers. The route numbers to your destination, the route numbers for the way back, the route numbers to your hotel, and the route numbers to the station. It's better not to over-rely on Google Maps.
Route numbers alone aren’t enough. You should also check the bus stops. On Kyoto Station and major streets like Shijo Street, and Kawaramachi Street, the stops differ depending on the route. You can check both online, and if you don’t, you’ll end up wandering around looking for them on-site. It’ll just waste your travel time.
To get from Kyoto Station to Fushimi Inari Taisha, you can take the 'Minami 5 Line (南5系統,South 5 Line)'. If you exit from the north gate of Kyoto Station (烏丸中央口,Karasuma Central Gate), you'll see a bus terminal. The Minami 5 Line bus departs from the C4 bus stop.
About 16 minutes from Kyoto Station, you'll reach a bus stop called 'Inari Taisha-mae.(稲荷大社前)' Once you get off there, the shrine is right there. Just head toward where the people are gathering.
If you get the hang of taking the bus, you can say you've mastered Kyoto's public transportation. But honestly, going from Kyoto Station to Fushimi Inari is better by train or taxi. Kyoto taxis are great. The drivers are friendly, they don't cheat on the fare, and on top of that, the car doors open automatically.