Station Overview
Kyoto Station is the gateway to Japan's cultural capital. Designed by Hiroshi Hara and completed in 1997, the station stretches 470 metres east to west. It serves JR conventional lines, the Tokaido Shinkansen, Kintetsu Railway, and the Karasuma subway — plus the city's main bus terminal, a department store, two underground malls, and over 100 restaurants.
North Exit (Karasuma)
- · Main bus terminal for city buses
- · Kyoto Tower directly ahead
- · Tourist Information Center (2F)
- · Porta underground mall
South Exit (Hachijo)
- · Highway bus terminal
- · Aeon Mall & Avanti shopping
- · Many hotels within walking distance
- · Kintetsu Line gates
Key landmarks inside
- The Grand Stairway — 171-step staircase connecting ground floor to the 11F Sky Garden. Used for light shows and seasonal events.
- Isetan Department Store — The basement food hall (depachika) is excellent for bento boxes and Kyoto sweets.
- Sky Garden (11F) — Free observation area with views toward Higashiyama and Kyoto Tower. Open until 10 PM.
Coin Locker Locations & Sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Price/Day | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 35 × 34 × 57 cm | ¥400 | Daypack, small bag |
| Medium | 35 × 57 × 57 cm | ¥500–600 | Carry-on suitcase |
| Large | 35 × 80 × 57 cm | ¥700 | Standard suitcase (25") |
| Extra-Large | 35 × 117 × 57 cm | ¥1,000 | Large suitcase (28"+) |
B1 Floor (Porta Side)
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, XL
Capacity: 120+ lockers
The largest cluster. Near the Porta underground mall entrance. Rarely all full.
2F Shinkansen Concourse
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Capacity: 80+ lockers
Convenient if arriving by Shinkansen. Just outside the transfer gates.
1F Central Concourse
Sizes: Small, Medium
Capacity: 50+ lockers
High demand — fills by mid-morning in peak season. Best for quick storage.
Hachijo Exit (South)
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Capacity: 60+ lockers
Less crowded. Good if heading to south-side hotels or highway buses.
All lockers full? Use the Carry Service Kyoto counter near the Hachijo exit (¥800/bag/day), send bags via luggage forwarding, or try the Ecbo Cloak app (nearby shops store bags for ¥400–¥800/day).
Restaurant Floor Guide
10F — Kyoto Ramen Koji 京都拉麺小路
The most popular dining destination — 9 carefully selected ramen shops from across Japan. Lines can be long during lunch (11:30 AM–1 PM) but move quickly.
11:00 AM–10:00 PM · ¥850–¥1,200
11F — Japanese Dining with Views
Sit-down Japanese restaurants with north-facing views of Kyoto Tower and the Higashiyama mountains. Great for a special meal before catching a Shinkansen. Lunch sets (¥1,200–¥2,500) are better value.
11:00 AM–10:00 PM · ¥1,200–¥4,000
2F–3F — Quick Service
Sushi chains, curry houses, udon shops, and coffee including Inoda Coffee (a Kyoto institution). Perfect for a fast bite between trains.
7:30 AM–10:00 PM · ¥500–¥1,500
B2–B1 — The Cube (Underground)
Takeaway-friendly options — ekiben (train bento), wagashi (traditional sweets), matcha shops, bakeries, and excellent souvenir food (yatsuhashi, matcha KitKats).
8:30 AM–9:00 PM · ¥300–¥1,500
Porta Underground Mall
30+ restaurants and cafes extending north toward Kyoto Tower. Less crowded than Ramen Koji and generally easier to find a seat.
11:00 AM–10:00 PM · ¥800–¥2,000
Ekiben tip: Buy a station bento from shops inside the Shinkansen gates. Eating bento on the bullet train is a beloved Japanese travel tradition. Kyoto-exclusive boxes cost ¥1,000–¥1,500.
Bus Terminal Guide
The bus terminal is directly outside the north (Karasuma) exit. Kyoto's bus network is the primary way to reach most temples and attractions. Bays are lettered A through D with clear English signage.
Bay A (Northwest)
- · Bus 205: Kinkaku-ji
- · Bus 101: Kinkaku-ji express
Bay B (North Centre)
- · Bus 100: Gion, Ginkaku-ji
- · Bus 206: Gion, Kiyomizu-dera
Bay C (Northeast)
- · Bus 28: Arashiyama
- · Routes heading west
Bay D (East)
- · Bus 86, 88: Scenic loop
- · Tofuku-ji and Fushimi Inari direction
How to Ride Kyoto Buses
Board from the rear door. Enter through the back, exit from the front (next to the driver).
Pay when you exit. Flat fare ¥240. Tap your IC card or drop exact change into the fare box.
Press the button for your stop. Displays and announcements in English and Japanese. Press the yellow button before your stop.
Subway & Bus Day Pass: If taking 5+ rides in a day, consider the Subway & Bus Day Pass (¥1,100). Available at subway ticket machines and the bus information centre outside the north exit.
IC Cards & Luggage Forwarding
ICOCA / Suica Cards
Buy at green JR ticket machines near the central gate. ¥2,000 initial (¥500 deposit + ¥1,500 balance). Works on all trains, buses, and many convenience stores across Japan — see our complete transport guide for detailed route planning. iPhone users can set up mobile ICOCA or Suica via Apple Wallet.
Luggage Forwarding
Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) and Sagawa Express have counters inside the station. Send luggage to your next hotel, the airport, or another city. Same-day delivery within Kyoto/Osaka if you drop off by 11 AM. ¥1,500–¥2,500 per bag depending on size and destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, hundreds across multiple locations. Small lockers (¥400) fit daypacks, medium (¥500–¥600) fit carry-on suitcases, and large (¥700–¥1,000) fit full-size suitcases. The biggest clusters are on B1 (Porta side) and the 2F Shinkansen concourse. All accept coins and IC cards.
At any green JR ticket machine (midori no madoguchi) — look for machines near the central gate or Shinkansen transfer gate. The card costs ¥2,000 (¥500 refundable deposit + ¥1,500 balance). You can also set up mobile ICOCA or Suica on iPhone via Apple Wallet.
The main bus terminal is directly in front of the north (Karasuma) exit. Walk out the central gates and through the glass doors — bus bays are right outside, labelled A through D with clear English signage.
Yes. Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) and Sagawa Express have counters inside the station. Same-day delivery within Kyoto/Osaka if you drop off by 11 AM. Expect ¥1,500–¥2,500 per bag.
The Cube (B2–B1) has takeaway bento and sweets. Porta underground mall has casual dining. The 10th floor Ramen Koji features 9 top ramen shops. The 11th floor has Japanese restaurants with views. Over 100 dining options across the station.
Large but well-organized. Two main exits: north Karasuma (city centre, bus terminal) and south Hachijo (hotels, highway buses). Signage is in English throughout. Allow 10–15 minutes between Shinkansen platforms and the bus terminal.
Continue exploring
Kyoto Station is more than a transit hub — budget half an hour for the sky garden before heading out. Our transport guide covers buses, subways, and IC cards from here.