Complete Guide to Sightseeing Around Kyoto Station
ShinobuBeautiful temples, charming historic streets, and delicious food make Kyoto an endlessly fascinating destination.
For first-time visitors, Kyoto Station is often the starting point of the journey, since Shinkansen and many train lines arrive here.
However, Kyoto Station is much more than just a transportation hub.
In fact, the area around the station is filled with remarkable sightseeing spots where you can begin experiencing Kyoto’s rich history and culture as soon as you arrive.
This guide introduces not only the attractions inside Kyoto Station itself, but also recommended sightseeing destinations nearby that you can reach on foot or by public transportation.
From the moment you step off the Shinkansen from Tokyo or Osaka, or arrive from the airport, your Kyoto adventure has already begun.
1. About Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station is much more than just a train station.
It functions as the main transportation hub of Kyoto, connecting the city with major destinations across Japan through the Shinkansen.
Various train lines, buses, and other transportation options converge here.
Because of this, many sightseeing trips in Kyoto begin at this location.
Inside the station building, visitors can find a wide range of souvenir shops, restaurants, and services.
It is the perfect place to prepare for a trip around the city or enjoy one last meal before leaving Kyoto.
The charm of Kyoto Station itself
The building of Kyoto Station is also an attraction in its own right.
Its modern design made of glass and steel contrasts dramatically with the traditional image of Kyoto’s historic cityscape.
The station was designed by architect Hiroshi Hara and resembles a massive futuristic structure.
Inside the station complex are numerous shops, restaurants, and art spaces.
Visitors can easily spend an entire day exploring the building.
Recommended spots inside Kyoto Station
- Skyway
The Skyway is a glass-covered walkway located on the 10th floor of the station building.
From about 45 meters above the ground, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto.
The nighttime view is particularly impressive, when Kyoto Tower appears beautifully illuminated in the distance. - Grand Stairway
The Grand Stairway is a massive staircase located in the center of the station complex.
At night, LED lights project changing art displays onto the steps, creating a visually striking scene that attracts many visitors. - Isetan Department Store
Located inside the Kyoto Station building, Isetan is a large department store.
Its basement floor is especially popular for food and souvenirs, offering a wide variety of Kyoto specialties.
2. Sightseeing Around Kyoto Station
There are many places near Kyoto Station where you can experience Japan’s deep history and culture.
Here are several carefully selected attractions that can be reached easily from the station by walking or public transportation.
Toji Temple
About a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station.
This historic temple is famous for its five-story pagoda, which stands 55 meters tall and is the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan.
The temple was established when the ancient capital of Heian-kyo was founded.
Later, the famous Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi Kukai was entrusted with the temple, and it became an important center of Esoteric Buddhism.
On the 21st of every month, a lively market called Kobo Market is held here, where visitors can find antiques, clothing, and street food.
During special nighttime openings, the illuminated pagoda reflected in the water creates a breathtaking view.
Toji Temple Official Website
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
About a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station.
This temple is the head temple of the Otani branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and enshrines Shinran Shonin, the founder of the sect.
Its massive buildings, the Goei-do Hall and Amida-do Hall, are among the largest wooden structures in the world.
When you step into the temple grounds, the immense scale of the site is immediately striking.
The Goei-do Gate in particular impresses visitors with its grand size and solemn atmosphere.
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple Official Website
Nishi Hongan-ji Temple
About a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station.
This temple is the head temple of the Hongwanji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and one of Kyoto’s most important temples.
The temple complex includes many magnificent buildings from the Azuchi-Momoyama period, such as Hiunkaku Pavilion and Karamon Gate.
The entire complex is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The detailed carvings on the Karamon Gate are especially famous.
Because visitors can spend hours admiring its intricate design, it is sometimes called “Higurashi Gate,” meaning a gate you could look at all day.
Nishi Hongan-ji Temple Official Website
Kyoto Tower
Kyoto Tower stands directly across from Kyoto Station and serves as one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
The tower rises 131 meters above the ground, with an observation deck located at 100 meters.
From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Kyoto, including landmarks such as Kiyomizu Temple and To-ji Temple.
During the day you can see Kyoto’s historic landscape, while at night the city lights create a sparkling view.
The tower complex also contains souvenir shops, restaurants, and a hotel, making it a convenient sightseeing base.
Kyoto Tower Official Website
Kyoto Aquarium
Located about a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station.
This modern urban aquarium allows visitors to encounter marine life without leaving the city.
Here you can see a wide variety of animals including giant salamanders and seals.
The dolphin performance shows are particularly popular.
The aquarium is a great destination for families with children and also a good option on rainy days.
Kyoto Aquarium Official Website
Sanjusangendo Temple
About 10 minutes from Kyoto Station by bus.
The official name of this temple is Rengeo-in Main Hall.
Inside the hall, which stretches over 120 meters in length, stands a breathtaking display of statues.
At the center is a National Treasure statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, surrounded by 1,000 life-sized standing statues of the same deity.
It is said that each statue has a slightly different face, so some visitors enjoy trying to find one that resembles themselves.
The sight of these statues lined up together represents one of the greatest achievements of Japanese Buddhist sculpture.
Sanjusangendo Temple Official Website
3. Summary
Kyoto Station is not only a transportation hub but also a sightseeing destination in itself.
The modern architecture of the station stands alongside historic temples and cultural sites that can be reached within walking distance.
All of the attractions introduced in this guide can be efficiently visited within a single day using Kyoto Station as your starting point.
We also recommend visiting Ninja Experience Cafe Kyoto Gion as well!
Hope to see you there!
What are we?
We run Ninja Experience Cafe in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, Japan.
Here you can immerse yourself in Japanese culture through experiencing ninja training.
Both adults and children are welcome to try their hand at defeating the ninja master inside the cafe.
The cafe is an indoor interactive zone, so it can be enjoyed even on rainy days.
If you are thinking "I want to be a real ninja too!” or interested in becoming a real ninja, please visit us.
Reservations can be made here.
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