A Kyoto Tourist Should Go To The Heights of Kyoto Station.

If you are a Kyoto tourist, Kyoto Station will be your base transportation hub for the majority of your travel in the area.

Looking like anything but a building from feudal Japan, it is a bone of contention for many in the old capital, while others marvel at its size and crisscrossing metal structure.

Contained in the station are Japan Rail (JR) (so you can use your Japan Rail Pass), and Kintetsu train lines, the city`s subway, plus a bus station and countless taxis out the front.

Obviously, it`s a convinient starting point for exploring.

The station building itself has 15 floors with hotels, restaurants, a shopping mall and theaters. There are also multiple areas on the upper levels including the "Open Sky Plaza" that have great views of the city (as well as Kyoto Tower which is across the street).

I highly recommend that you go to the upper levels and have a look around.

As I mentioned the views are pretty great, and also there is just something about seeing its construction up close that makes it very cool.

You should also check out the Kyoto Tourist Information Center which is on the 9th floor of the station. It has plenty of information as you would expect and the staff are not only helpful but friendly too.

There is also an info center near the entrance to the station but that is geared towards the Japanese.

If you try and enquire there, you will most likely be directed to the 9th floor.

Finish being a Kyoto Tourist and discover more about Japan and Japan Travel.