Kyoto Station

What to know

Kyoto Station (Kyōto-eki) was built to mark the 1200th anniversary of Kyoto's founding. Opened in 1997, its sleek, futuristic design contrasts sharply with the traditional image many visitors have of Japan's ancient capital.

Architect Hara Hiroshi designed the building to evoke Kyoto's history through a modern lens. The vast main hall, known as the Matrix, features an exposed steel beam ceiling that mirrors both the station's structure and the grid pattern of Kyoto's streets. Hara also created Osaka's Umeda Sky Building.

As Kyoto's main transport hub, the station serves Japan Railways (including the Tokaido Shinkansen), Kintetsu Railway, and the Karasuma Subway Line. It also houses a large bus terminal for city, long-distance, and overnight highway buses.

The station has two sides: Karasuma (north) and Hachijo (south). The busier Karasuma side faces downtown and is named after the main street leading there. It hosts the main bus terminal and Kyoto Tower. The quieter Hachijo side offers access to hotels, Toji Temple, and additional bus stops.

Two tourist information centers are inside the station. The 2nd-floor Tourist Information Center has multilingual staff, pamphlets, and PC terminals. For more English resources, visit the 9th-floor International Information Center, which also provides free internet access.

Luggage storage and takuhaibin (delivery service) counters are in the basement. Coin lockers are scattered throughout but often fill up on busy days. Beyond transport, the 15-story building offers the Granvia Hotel, a department store, an art museum, a theater, and countless shops and restaurants.