Kyoto Tower: The Best First Stop After Arriving in Kyoto

If you’ve just arrived at JR Kyoto Station and don’t know where to begin,
Kyoto Tower is the easiest—and smartest—first stop.

You don’t need a detailed plan.
You don’t need to rush.
Just step outside the station, look up, and start there.

Standing directly in front of Kyoto Station, Kyoto Tower quietly supports your journey.
It helps you get oriented, gives you a sense of the city, and lets you ease into Kyoto at your own pace.

The Tallest Structure in Kyoto: A White Lighthouse Over the City

Kyoto is known for its strict height regulations that preserve the city’s traditional skyline.
As a result, high-rise buildings are rare.

At 131 meters, Kyoto Tower is the tallest structure in the city.
Completed in 1964—the same year as the Tokyo Olympics—it was designed to resemble a lighthouse illuminating a city without a sea.

For more than 60 years, it has quietly watched over Kyoto as a symbol of arrival and departure.

Thanks to its location right in front of JR Kyoto Station, it’s impossible to miss.
From Osaka Station, it takes about 30 minutes by JR Special Rapid Service, making it an easy stop even on a short trip.

A 360-Degree Panorama from the Kyoto Tower Observation Deck

Head to the ticket center on the first floor and follow the signs to the elevators leading up to the observation deck.

At the top, you’ll be rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view of Kyoto.
With no tall buildings blocking the scenery, the city stretches out clearly below.

From above, you can see Kyoto’s grid-like street layout and spot famous landmarks such as To-ji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—an experience rarely possible in this low-rise city.

In the evening, the city lights begin to sparkle, creating a soft and romantic night view.
All telescopes on the observation deck are free to use, so take your time and explore.

The tower is usually illuminated in white, but on certain days the lighting color changes to support awareness campaigns and special events—an extra detail worth noticing.

Eat, Shop, and Take a Break at KYOTO TOWER SANDO

In 2017, the lower floors of Kyoto Tower were renovated and reopened as KYOTO TOWER SANDO, a modern food and shopping complex spanning from the basement to the second floor.

Downstairs, a relaxed food hall offers a wide variety of options—from Japanese dishes to ramen, udon, Chinese and Korean cuisine, and sweets.
It’s an easy place for groups to share different dishes and for solo travelers to grab a quick meal.

Open until 11:00 p.m., it’s also convenient for travelers waiting for late-night trains or overnight buses.

On the first floor, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of popular Kyoto shops.
From matcha-based sweets and artisanal desserts to classic souvenirs like pickles and yatsuhashi, everything here is easy to choose—and hard to regret.

A More Relaxed and Luxurious Way to Enjoy Kyoto Tower

If you have extra time and want to slow down, Kyoto Tower also offers more refined options.

On the third floor of the observation deck, Sky Lounge “KUU” serves meals and drinks with sweeping city views.
With counter seating, couple seats, box seating, and tables, it suits a variety of occasions.
The lounge opens in the evening on weekdays and from lunchtime on weekends.

Also on the third floor, Tower Terrace offers buffet-style dining featuring local ingredients.
In April 2025, TOWERLAND – Rooftop Bar & BBQ opened on the 10th-floor rooftop, adding a lively outdoor option to the tower experience.

You can even stay overnight at Kyoto Tower Hotel, making the tower a convenient base for exploring the city.

A Place That Fits Naturally into Your Journey

Kyoto Tower isn’t a place you build your trip around.
It’s a place that helps you start—or end—your journey without stress.

When you arrive in Kyoto and aren’t sure where to go first,
or when you’re about to leave and want one last calm moment—

this is the right answer.
Save this spot for your arrival—or your last hour in Kyoto.