Station Guide
Kyoto Station is an architecturally dramatic building designed by Hiroshi Hara. Its futuristic glass-and-steel atrium rises 70 meters and stretches 470 meters north to south. The station serves as the gateway to Kyoto's 2,000 temples and shrines.
💡 Tip: The central exit faces Kyoto Tower — most hotels are in this direction.
The Central Exit (Karasuma side) faces Kyoto Tower and the Hotel Granvia. Most hotels, buses to temples, and the taxi stand are here. The Hachijo side is quieter with bus terminals for long-distance routes and the Shinkansen transfer gates.
JR Tokaido Shinkansen, JR conventional lines (Biwako Line, Kosei Line, Nara Line, Sagano Line), Kintetsu Kyoto Line, Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line. Bus terminal on the north side with routes to all major temples.
The 10th and 11th floors of the Isetan department store have a ramen street (Kyoto Ramen Koji) and Kyoto cuisine restaurants. The Porta underground mall has affordable options. For matcha sweets, visit Nakamura Tokichi on the 2nd floor.
Kyoto Tower (directly in front), To-ji Temple (15 min walk), Higashi Hongan-ji Temple (10 min walk), Nishi Hongan-ji Temple (15 min walk). Most major temples require bus rides (20-40 min).