kyoto transportation

we will be in kyoto for 5 days. is it better to get some day pass or use IC card? if i get a Pasmo IC card from tokyo, can i use it for subway/trains/ bus here in kyoto?

If you intend to catch the bus three or more times in one day, a One-Day Bus Pass (500 yen) pays off. You can buy these at vending machines at major bus stops (e.g. Kyoto Station) or onboard from the driver (they may run out).

I saw a 2 day pass for both subway and bus for 2000 yen.
Can I use Pasemo intercity card that I plan to buy in Tokyo here in Kyoto to take subway and city bus?
Thanks

It depends on where you want to go in Kyoto in a day.

Starting from March 2018, there will be an increase of price for 1-day bus pass from 500 yen to 600 yen.

However, the price for 1-day bus+subway pass will decrease from 1200 to 900 yen; and 2-day bus+subway pass will decrease from 2000 to 1700 yen. So, whether to use a pass or not depends on where you want to go.

If not using any pass, all major IC cards are accepted.

Most adults would be lucky to spend 1000 yen a day trotting around kyoto. You need to work out where you are going each day a add it all up.

You should use Arukumachikyoto for planning.

http://www.arukumachikyoto.jp/index.php?lang=en

I recommend the transportation methods in the following order: Walk, Train, Taxi then Bus. You should take bus sparingly. Avoid if possible bus afternoon and in the “central area”.

You will have 5 days so you can concentrate one region per day. Below is a sample itinerary.

Day 1 Higashiyama district south

Kyoto (JR) to Inari (JR) by JR train 5 min, 140 yen. Fushimiinari shrine
Fushimiinari to　Kiyomizugojo by Keihan line 5 min, 210 yen.
Walk from Kiyomizugojo to Kiyomizudera (20 min)
Kiyomizudera to Kodaiji then Maruyama Park, Chion-in and Shoren-in.
Higashiyama to Kyoto by subway 15 min, 260 yen
Total 610 yen (JR, Keihan and subway)

Day 2 Higashiyama district north

Kyoto to Keage by subway 17 min, 260 yen. Nanzenji, Eikando, Heian shrine, Murinan, Honenin, Ginkakuji.
Ginkakuji to Kyoto via Marutamachi by bus and subway, 41 min, 490 yen
Total 750 yen (Subway 520 yen and bus 230 yen)

Day 3. Central Kyoto and Kinkakuji

Kyoto to Nijojomae by subway 20 min, 260 yen. Nijojo
Nijojomae to Kinkakujimichi by bus 23 min, 230 yen Kinkakuji
Kinkakujimichi to Kyoto via Kitaoji by bus and subway 34 min, 490 yen
Total 990 yen (subway 520 yen, bus 460 yen)

Day 4. Arashiyama
Kyoto to Sagaarashiyama by JR 17 min 240 yen. Arashiyama
Sagaarashiyama to Kyoto by JR 17 min 240 yen.
Total 480 yen.

Day 5. Ohara
Kyoto to Ohara via Kokusaikaikan by subway and bus (Kyoto bus) 48 min 640 yen. Ohara
Ohara to Kyoto via Kokusaikaikan by subway and bus (Kyoto bus) 48 min 640 yen.
Total 1280 yen (subway 580 yen, Kyoto bus 700 yen)