Looking to check out Kyoto from a cruise ship arriving in Kobe or Osaka? Your best bet is to hop on a train for about an hour from Osaka Tempozan (where the Osaka Cruise Terminal is) or either of Kobe's Cruise Terminals to Kyoto Station.
Don't bother with the shinkansen - it's a waste of time and money. You'll end up spending the time you save just getting to the shinkansen stop and waiting for the next one. Unless riding it once is the idea? The high-speed Shinkansen is a fun experience.
For example, Osaka Station in Umeda (where you take the express train to Kyoto), is about ten minutes CLOSER to the Osaka port than Shin-Osaka Station (where you catch the Shinkansen). Taking this and waiting time into account, the "bullet train" only saves about fifteen minutes, at the cost of a much higher train fare. And it's a similar story with Sannomiya (express) and Shin-Kobe (Shinkansen), although you would save a bit more time.
From Osaka Cruise Terminal
To go to Kyoto from Osaka Cruise Terminal (at Tempozan), walk 5 minutes to the nearest subway (Chuo line, goes east-west, this stop is called 'Osakako') and board going east toward Osaka at Platform 1.
Ride to Hommachi (11min), and then get off and follow signs to switch to EITHER the Yotsubashi or Midosuji subway lines. (Here, the tricky part is making sure you head NORTH toward Umeda. Namba is to the south, so don't board any train saying Namba!)
Get off at Umeda Station. Next, follow the signs for JR Line, enter the gates and look at overhead signage for trains headed to Kyoto. You want to board ONLY a "Special Rapid" train (Shin-kaisoku). They often but NOT always board from JR Osaka Station Platform 8. Rather confusingly, these trains display their name/type in bright RED on the overhead signs, but in bright BLUE with white writing on the platform floor and on the trains themselves!
From Kobe Port Terminal
To go to Kyoto from Kobe Port Terminal (on Port Island), exit the terminal and turn right. Walk 1 minute to the Port Liner and board going north to Sannomiya station, the end of the line. (It's the opposite direction from Kobe Airport!)
Ride to Sannomiya (7 min), and then get off and follow signs to the exit. Go out the turnstiles and turn right, then down the escalator and straight ahead to JR station. Gates are first on your left, then the ticket machines if you need them.
Enter the gates and look at overhead signage for trains headed to Kyoto. You want to board ONLY a "Special Rapid" train (Shin-kaisoku). They (almost) always board from Platform 1. Rather confusingly, these trains display their name/type in bright RED on the overhead signs, but in bright BLUE with white writing on the platform floor and on the trains themselves!
Once you arrive at Kyoto Station, you'll notice it's big and beautiful, but it's not right next to all the main attractions. No worries though, there are bus routes from the station that will take you directly to most of them.
Plan on adding another half an hour or so to cross the city, each way. And trust me, driving will only make things slower! (But the occasional taxi may speed things up. Taxis in Japan are highly regulated and safe, but may require cash.)
