The gateway to downtown Kyoto and the popular tourist spots
Kyoto Station is one of the leading terminals in Japan which has the 4 transportation companies of JR Tokai, JR West, Kintetsu and the Kyoto Municipal Subway running through it. Many city buses also come and go from the station, connecting with the main tourist spots in downtown Kyoto. Before you go on your tour, first head for Kyo-Navi, the tourist information center which is located on the 2nd floor of the Kyoto Station Building along the Nanboku Pedestrian Walkway. Tourist information on all areas within Metropolitan Kyoto is available in many languages.
With a hotel and a department store, it’s totally convenient!
To start and finish your tour of Kyoto, there is Kyoto Station Building right above the station itself. Starting with a department store and a hotel, there are many other establishments like restaurants, a theater, an art museum, and electronics shops. There is also the shopping mall to make the tourists happy, The Cube. From the cuisine of popular and well-established restaurants to traditional products gleaming with the techniques of craftsmen, almost all of Kyoto’s souvenirs are amassed here. You want to dine on something light, but you want something Japanese? In that case, try the Kyoto Ramen Koji on the 10th floor. Naturally, there is Kyoto ramen but there are popular ramen shops from all over Japan such as from Hokkaido in the north and Hakata from the south.
Treasure a vestige of Kyoto at an unknown spot
There is the popular Kyoto Station Building with its shopping and cuisine, but there is another place that is relatively unknown. It is the Sky Way which is on the top of a stairwell 14 meters above ground. From the glass-enclosed straight pathway, Kyoto Tower is right in front of your eyes. There are 4 observation areas, and you can enjoy the northern landscape from the station. And you can get a close look at the reinforcing bars used in the construction of the building and admire the beauty of the architecture. To get to the Sky Way, take the escalator by the Great Staircase inside the station. You will want to make a visit while waiting for the train.