What other travelers are saying about Kyoto Station
I was pleasantly surprised by how grand and luxurious Kyoto Central Train Station is. I’m not sure why more places around the world don’t do the same—it truly leaves a lasting impression on travellers and makes a big difference to your overall experience of the city.
The sheer variety of food options is incredible, and they’re all good—there’s just no other way to put it. It’s also a fascinating place to simply stand or sit and people-watch, as you see so many different walks of life passing through this impressive transport hub—coming together and then parting ways to their own cities, towns, prefectures, and adventures.
I stayed in Kyoto for five days and used the station as a base for day trips to places like Osaka, Nara Deer Park, and Nagoya. The transport system in Japan is just so well designed and thought out—I can’t wait to visit again!
Very very big station.. lots of different train lines.. lots of shops.. neat & clean and fully organized... beautiful musical fountain outside it. dedicated shinakesan line and jr line ticket office along with number of vending machines.. one can get limited express ticket which is quite fast This station also has connected bus stop, which is required to go to various places in local city such as Gion market, yadaka shrine, pontocho etc. Nearby also has bus station for airport limousine.
Kyoto station is large and a little overwhelming at first but it generally makes sense with sufficient signage around.
The station itself is gigantic however with a huge open cavity space at the front. I can recommend exploring the station more extensively if you find yourself with a bit of extra time before your train or even just are staying nearby as there are a range of interesting things to find such as look out points, a sky walk and a range of different dining/ retail options. A good way to go is just by taking the escalators at either end of the forecourt and seeing where you end up.
I love this station. It has everything and it is so busy from day to night. I can find all sorts of food and buy my souvenirs there. It is accessible to the porta dining area as well as the isetan food court. The mall behind the station has quite a few shops such as Donki and Gu.
Huge station, suburban lines, JR, shinkansen. Buses and minibuses are within walking distance. Although the size and quantity of everything can be overwhelming at first, everything is clearly described, and the station is well divided into zones. You need to give yourself some time, because some distances can be quite long. In addition, there is a beautiful view from the upper floors.
There are plenty of shops and a large selection of snacks and eki-bento for the journey.
Visited in 2024
