Kyoto Station

Kyoto’s futuristic railway station building
★★★★★
3.3 (2,816)
#1 of 66 most visited in Kyoto

The Kyoto Station (‹ž“s‰w, Kyōto-eki) building was constructed on the 1200th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto. It was opened to the public in 1997 and stands in perfect contrast to many foreign tourists' image of Kyoto as the capital of traditional Japan.

The building's futuristic design was conceived by architect Hara Hiroshi. It attempts to convey historical Kyoto through a modern aesthetic. The station's large main hall with its exposed steel beamed roof, called the Matrix, is meant to reflect both the structure of the station and the grid-like layout of Kyoto's street network. Hara also designed the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka.

Kyoto Station is the city's transportation hub, served by Japan Railways (including the Tokaido Shinkansen), Kintetsu Railway and the Karasuma Subway Line. It is also the site of a large bus terminal for city buses and long-distance and overnight highway buses.

There are two sides to Kyoto Station: Karasuma and Hachijo. The busier Karasuma side to the north faces downtown and is named after the main street leading downtown. The main bus terminal is located on the Karasuma side, as is Kyoto Tower. The calmer Hachijo side to the south provides access to more hotels, Toji Temple and a few more bus stops.

There are two tourist information centers in the building. The Tourist Information Center on the 2nd floor offers multilingual staff, pamphlets and some PC terminals for use by tourists. Even more English information is available at the International Information Center on the 9th floor. It is staffed by multilingual representatives and also provides free internet access.

Luggage storage and takuhaibin (delivery service) counters are available in the basement of the station. Coin lockers are scattered all over the building, but often fill up on busy days. Besides the station facilities, the building's 15 floors offer several other attractions and conveniences including the Granvia Hotel, a department store, an art museum, a theater and a vast array of shopping and dining options:

Shopping

  • Isetan Department Store
    Hours: 10:00 to 20:00 (restaurants 11:00 to 23:00)
    JR Kyoto Isetan department store occupies ten stories in the western portion of the station building. Goods on sale include clothing, accessories, food, local souvenirs and stationery. There is also a small art museum on the 7th floor and a range of restaurants on the 11th floor.
  • Porta Underground Shopping Mall
    Shops: 10:00 to 20:00 (some shops open earlier)
    Restaurants: 11:00 to 22:00
    Kyoto Station extends underground into the Porta shopping mall. There are roughly 100 shops and restaurants, as well as access to the Karasuma Subway Line.

Other attractions

  • Observation Deck
    Hours: Always open
    Admission: Free
    Reached via a long series of escalators and a final flight of stairs, an open air observation deck is located on the top floor of the station building. Unfortunately, the views from the deck are not very attractive, because they are possible only through heavily toned windows.
  • Skyway
    Hours: 10:00 to 22:00
    Admission: Free
    The Skyway tunnel allows visitors to walk the length of Kyoto Station, 45 meters above the central hall. The Skyway's glass windows provide views of the city and station below. It starts from the restaurant floor on the 11th floor of the station building.

Getting there and around

Kyoto Station is the city's main railway station, served by all trains of Japan Railways (including shinkansen), Kintetsu Railway and the Karasuma Subway Line. A large bus terminal is located in front of the station building.

How to get to and around Kyoto

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Links and Resources

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Hotels around Kyoto

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Kyoto Restaurants

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      Awarded One Star in 2024 - The sister restaurant of the highly exclusive Japanese cuisine establishment, Kyotenjin Noguchi. While maintaining the culinary essence of the main branch, this kappo-style restaurant incorporates ingredients from the chef’s hometown in the Goto Islands. Its signature dish, Nikusui, is a masterpiece made from carefully prepared, top-quality A5-grade sirloin.
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    • Sushi Rakumi
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      Awarded One Star in 2024 - You can savor a creative omakase course that combines refined Japanese cuisine with Edomae sushi, crafted by a highly skilled chef who trained at Japanese restaurants and sushi establishments that have earned three stars. Ingredients are primarily sourced from Kyoto Central Market, with seasonal, high-quality ingredients also procured from Tokyo's Toyosu Market and Yaizu Market in Shizuoka.
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    • Kanamean Nishitomiya
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      Awarded One Star in 2024 - Sophisticated kaiseki cuisine experienced at a ryokan. Combining tuna with caviar or pairing soba noodles with truffles, the dishes showcase a creative approach that explores unique combinations and flavors. The only establishment in Kyoto affiliated with Relais & Chateaux, where the owner and proprietress draw on their experiences gained abroad to collaborate with chefs in crafting the menu.
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    • Vena
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      Kiyomizu Ware Pottery Experience at a Century-Old Kiln in Kyoto
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