Kyoto Station

Name: Kyoto Station
Address: Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
Rating: 4.3

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Kyoto Station is a pivotal landmark in Kyoto, serving as a major transportation hub while offering a multitude of facilities and services. This station, one of Japan's largest, integrates traditional and modern architectural elements, reflecting Kyoto's blend of history and contemporary culture.

Inside, Kyoto Station features an extensive shopping mall, dining options ranging from fast food to gourmet restaurants, and various other services including hotels and theaters. The building's design, characterized by its vast, open spaces and futuristic glass and steel structure, is a sight to behold and a popular subject for photography enthusiasts.

The station is not just a transit point but a cultural space as well, hosting events and exhibitions. Its multiple platforms cater to numerous train lines, including the Shinkansen (bullet train), making it a crucial node for travelers exploring Kyoto and the surrounding regions.

Visitors can also access the station's skywalk, which offers stunning views of the city, including Kyoto Tower and the surrounding mountains.

Hours:

Open 24 hours a day

Retail shops within the station typically open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Restaurants within the station usually open from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

No entry fee

Website

www.jr-odekake.net

The area

Address

Higashishiokoji Kamadonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan

Website

www.jr-odekake.net

Top ways to experience Kyoto Station

A golden pavilion stands beside a tranquil pond, surrounded by lush greenery and pine trees, under a clear sky.

7 hours and 30 minutes

Kyoto Full-Day Walking Tour Starting at Kyoto Station

From $139 /person

What other travelers are saying about Kyoto Station

This is one of the most beautiful stations that I have ever seen. We stayed at an hotel west from the station to stay close to the shopping centers and food courts and my father ended up loving mister donut. The view from the top of the station is beautiful down to the city on a clear day, unfortunately for us it was always raining but still amazing. Kyoto gets really busy with tourism so as foreigners I ask for everyone not to litter and be patient when entering and exiting the trains. To make the most of your time I'd advise to wake up early to get a feel for where you want to go and visit the shrines then work your way to shops then restaurants.

Nearby attractions to see

Kyoto Tower

A futuristic bullet train on display inside a modern museum, with visitors observing and striped flooring beneath the train. Signs and another train are visible in the background.

Kyoto Railway Museum

Umekoji Park

Nearby attractions to see

Kyoto Tower

Kyoto Railway Museum

Umekoji Park

More about Kyoto Station from our blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Kyoto Station is a major hub that connects many train lines, making it easy to get anywhere. It’s simple to navigate, and there are plenty of coin lockers both inside and outside the station. If you need a break, you can relax at the rest area on the top floor — just exit through the gate facing the Nidec Tower and take the escalator on the right. If you take the escalator on the left instead, you’ll reach the bridge leading to the other side, where there are more lockers and the Shinkansen platforms.

Muhammad Hakim

Nov 20, 2025

JR Kyoto Station is one of the high-speed rail stations we visited during our Japan trip. As all the train stations in Japan. The Kyoto Station is also very busy all the time. The station is very crowded, but it is very well designed to accommodate the number of passengers. Kyoto Station is beautiful, and I am happy to ride my first Hello Kitty train from Kyoto to Osaka.

Michael W.

Dec 6, 2025

When I arrived at Kyoto Station, I was amazed by how huge and modern it felt, almost like a small city on its own. It was really easy to find my way around thanks to the clear English signs, and I loved that I could quickly switch between the Shinkansen, JR lines, subway, and buses for my day trips. I grabbed a quick meal in the underground Porta mall, which had plenty of affordable options, and later explored the upper floors where I found the rooftop garden and Skyway with amazing views over Kyoto, plus the illuminated stairs that looked magical at night. I also used the coin lockers to store my bag, which made sightseeing much more comfortable. The station was definitely crowded, especially near the bus terminal, but I felt it was part of the experience, and overall I enjoyed spending time there—it turned out to be not just a station, but a destination in itself.

Aug 27, 2025

This is what happens when a society treats infrastructure as strategy, not an afterthought. This isn’t just a train station... it’s a masterclass in flow, scale, and respect for human attention spans. The architecture is unapologetically bold: steel lattice ceilings, cathedral-scale volume, and sightlines so long your brain immediately understands where you are. That matters. Most major stations are designed like escape rooms by people who hate you. Kyoto Station does the opposite...it lowers cognitive load. You move intuitively. Up feels up. Trains feel inevitable. Panic never enters the chat. Here’s the quiet flex: despite the size and crowd density, it never feels chaotic. People don’t bunch. They don’t stall. They don’t look lost. That’s not cultural magic...that’s good design doing the heavy lifting. Escalators are exactly where you expect them to be. Levels stack logically. Retail exists, but it doesn’t hijack circulation like a casino carpet.

Jim Reaugh

Dec 26, 2025