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Kyoto Station Building

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Kyoto Station Building

Convenient station complex with retailers, restaurants, and resting spots.

3.35 10

Last update :

Kyoto station is attached to an enormous building which provides shops and restaurants, as well as a hotel and cultural center. The Cube Shopping Mall occupies the ground floor and two basement floors. In its spacious confines are shops offering a wide variety of unique souvenirs and specialty desserts from Kyoto, trendy fashion items, and interesting knickknacks. On the west side of the station building is the JR Kyoto Isetan Department Store packed with famous fashion and cosmetic retailers. The exciting atmosphere here is always crowded with local shoppers and tourists.

The building offers a number of great places to eat; The Japanese Cuisine Street on the second floor, the Cube on Gourmet Street at the 11th floor, and Kyoto Ramen Street on the 10th floor. The Ramen Street, offering a collection of the most famous ramen shops in the nation, requires a little waiting in line at lunch time.

The Complex’s design was inspired by the classic city grid plan in the time of Heian Kyo (ancient Kyoto City). The Kyoto Station Building also offers several squares and lounging spots, including the greenery Sky Garden, the romantic outdoor Karasuma Square with a beautiful view of Kyoto City, and the unique Sky Way bridge walk at 45 meters high. The Great Stairs with 171 steps are beautifully lit with 15,000 LED lights, presenting different illumination scenes each season.

Highlights

  • A station building with a department store, shopping mall, and food floors.
  • Great lounging spots throughout the building including squares and a rooftop.
  • The impressive Graphical Illumination Plus on the Great Stairs, lit differently for each season.

Photos

  • The current building is the 4th generation Kyoto station.

    The current building is the 4th generation Kyoto station.

  • The view from Karasuma Square, giving a close look of the Kyoto Tower.

    The view from Karasuma Square, giving a close look of the Kyoto Tower.

  • Different illuminations at the Great Stairs throughout the year

    Different illuminations at the Great Stairs throughout the year

Reviews

10

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • wendy
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    When visiting Kyoto, I think staying near Kyoto Station is really convenient! The Kyoto Station Building itself has shopping, food, souvenirs, and places to relax, and there are also many department stores, shopping centers, and restaurants nearby, making it easy to shop or grab something to eat.

    If it’s your first time in Kyoto, staying near the station is also a great choice. There are plenty of hotels in the area, and transportation is very convenient. You can easily reach Kyoto’s major attractions by JR, subway, or bus.

    After a long day of sightseeing, you can return to the station, have dinner, and do some shopping before heading back to your hotel. It really saves time and effort. For independent travelers, the area around Kyoto Station is a great choice where it’s “convenient to stay, fun to explore, and easy to get anywhere!”

  • 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人
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    If you're visiting Kyoto with elderly family members, I recommend staying near Kyoto Station. It's directly connected to the Isetan department store and the Porta underground shopping mall, so you can shop for Japanese clothing, souvenirs, and groceries as soon as you leave the station, without the hassle of squeezing onto city buses with local commuters. The HARUKA limited express also runs directly from Kansai Airport to the station, making it easy to check in with your luggage and providing a more comfortable itinerary for elderly travelers.

    For dinner, I recommend Wagyu Sukiyaki Kyoto Rikizan, about a five-minute walk from the station. The restaurant specializes in tableside cooking service, so there's no need to struggle with cooking it yourself. The chef sears beautifully marbled premium wagyu in a slightly sweet sauce. Dipped in rich beaten egg, it melts in your mouth and is full of savory flavor. Elderly family members can also easily enjoy this exquisite taste unique to Kyoto and leave with lasting memories.

  • Linda Liao
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    We came to Ramen Koji on the 10th floor of Kyoto Station to find something to eat. It brings together ramen shops from all over Japan, so there are plenty of choices. After walking around all day, a steaming bowl of ramen with rich broth and chewy noodles was especially satisfying. What I liked most was being able to choose according to my own taste and experience ramen styles from different regions all in one place without having to travel far. The overall atmosphere was lively, the prices were reasonable, and the location was convenient.

  • W10B
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    Grand and modern by day, romantic and dazzling at night—Kyoto Station never gets old.

    I especially love setting aside some time at the station:

    Going upstairs to admire the illuminated Kyoto Tower in the distance

    Stocking up on matcha desserts and souvenir boxes in the underground shopping area

    Having a steaming bowl of ramen upstairs before catching the train 🍜

    As both the starting point and the final stop for travelers, this place truly offers beautiful views, great food, and shopping all in one〜Next time you're passing through, don't rush off. Set aside some time to explore and take photos.

  • BobbyJenny
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    The Kyoto Station Building is more than just a place to catch a train; it's a multipurpose space combining architecture, dining, and shopping. Walking through the spacious station, you can appreciate the unique appeal of its modern design, and the view of Kyoto from above offers a different perspective. The station has a wide variety of restaurants and shops, making it very convenient for dining, shopping, or taking a break. It was a fulfilling and enjoyable way to end this trip to Kyoto.

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Details

Name in Japanese
京都駅ビル
Postal Code
600-8216
Address
901 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Telephone
075-361-4401
*Kyoto Station Building information
Closed
Depend on facilities
Business Hours
Depend on facilities
Access
directly connected to Kyoto station
Credit Cards
Depend on facilities
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa