"Sky Hop Bus Kyoto," a fixed-route, round-trip bus which passengers can get on and off freely, began operating in Kyoto City on April 13. Foreign tourists and others immediately rode on the open-top double-decker bus to enjoy viewing cherry blossoms, which have started to fall, and visit popular sights.

The route starts at JR Kyoto Station in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, and circulates through Nijo Castle, "Kinkaku-ji," or the Golden Pavilion, Heian Jingu Shrine and other places, covering a distance of 23.7 kilometers. The buses run at intervals of 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Passengers are allowed to hop on and off freely at 11 bus stops. A one-day ticket (valid for 24 hours) costs 3,500 yen. Approximately 50,000 users are expected in its first year, which would also help alleviate congestion on the route buses used by local residents.

In the future, the bus company will consider issuing discount tickets for touring sightseeing spots in Kyoto Prefecture, as well as adding stops and increasing frequency of the operation.