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Kyoto Station

Kyoto

The area around Kyoto's huge modern station, with the Shinkansen, the airport express, department stores, Kyoto Tower and a wide range of hotels.

Best for First visit · Budget · Business

Transport
5/5
Sights
2/5
Value
4/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
3/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$160/night · 15 min to Shijo-Kawaramachi

See hotels in Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station on the map

Why stay here

  • Shinkansen, airport express and day trips
  • Good-value hotels
  • Shopping and restaurants in the station

Who should stay here

  • Short stays
  • Day-trippers to Nara and Osaka
  • Families with luggage

Not ideal if…

  • You want old-Kyoto atmosphere
  • You want to walk to the temples
  • You want nightlife

What it's like

Kyoto Station is the city's transport hub: Shinkansen to Tokyo and Osaka, the Haruka express to Kansai Airport, trains to Nara and Fushimi Inari, and the main bus terminal for the temples. The station building itself is a futuristic landmark with shopping, restaurants and a rooftop terrace, and To-ji's five-storey pagoda is a short walk south-west.

It's the most practical base for short stays and day trips, with good-value hotels. The area is modern and lacks old-Kyoto atmosphere, and the famous temples are a bus or subway ride away.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Karasuma-dori

    Main avenue north from the station.

  • Hachijo side

    Quieter south exit by the Shinkansen.

  • Kyoto Tower area

    Hotels and shopping across from the station.

Getting around

Nearest stations
JR lines and Shinkansen, the Karasuma subway line, and the main city bus terminal.
To Shijo-Kawaramachi
About 15 minutes
From Kansai International Airport (KIX)
About 75 minutes: JR Haruka limited express direct from Kansai Airport.

Nearby attractions

  • Kyoto Station building

    Futuristic atrium with a rooftop terrace.

  • To-ji

    Temple with Japan's tallest wooden pagoda.

  • Fushimi Inari Shrine

    Thousands of red torii gates, two stops by JR.

Where to eat and drink

  • Kyoto Ramen Koji

    Ramen alley on the station's 10th floor.

  • Station department stores

    Food halls and restaurant floors.

Where to stay in Kyoto Station

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

The Thousand Kyoto

Why we like it: Calm, modern hotel next to the station, top-rated by guests.

Typical luxury rate in Kyoto Station: ~$470/night

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Best value

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Why we like it: Large hotel built into the station, with an indoor pool.

Typical mid-range rate in Kyoto Station: ~$160/night

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Boutique pick

Hotel Kanra Kyoto

Why we like it: Machiya-inspired design hotel a short walk north.

Typical mid-range rate in Kyoto Station: ~$160/night

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Hotels in Kyoto StationMid-range from ~$160/night

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