JR Kyoto Station
JR Kyōto Station (京都駅) is a modern building with soaring ceilings of steel and glass. Critics claimed that it would detract from the historic feel of the city, but despite the initial concern, the station has taken its place among the notable buildings in the city. The exterior’s interesting shapes give a hint to the airy interior with its escalators and terraces.
京都駅(Kyoto Station)
Completed in 1997, it now is the second largest station in Japan after Nagoya, and houses government facilities, a hotel, shopping mall, movie theater, and department store as well as facilities for multiple train lines. The underground mall, Porta, located in front of Kyoto station is a shopper’s dream and a great place to pick-up gifts instead of lugging them around the city. Kyoto station is a convenient central hub for business and entertainment, not just travel.
rrobbert184m on Youtube put together a brief walk-through of the Kyoto station which gives you a sense of this massive facility.
Check out the travel center to the left of the main entrance for maps and information about events happening in Kyoto. If you take the elevator to the top floor, you will find a variety of restaurants, mostly in higher price ranges, with good views of the surrounding area. The official station guide and maps can be found at: http://www.kyoto-station-building.co.jp/map_en/
Directions
From Osaka’s Kansai Airport :
By Rail: 1h 15 min from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station by JR Line “Haruka” (limited-stop express)
By Bus: 1h 35 min from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station by Airport Limousine Bus
From Osaka :
By Rail: 28 min to Kyoto Station by JR Tokaido Line (new rapid service).
From Tokyo :
By Rail: 2h 15 min to Kyoto Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line ‘Nozomi’
By Rail: 2h 45 min by ‘Hikari’
photos by:
[email protected] &
kanonn
