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Advantages: Excellent view of Kyoto, including the Tower! Good change from all the temples... Disadvantages: Sticks out amongst 'traditional' surroundings, shops aren't anything special
For many, KyotoStation is the first thing that you will see when you reach Kyoto. A futuristic, elaborate building, it's the last you'll see of its kind in this city, so enjoy it.
KyotoStation, in the south area of the city, is the main JR station where you will find the Bullet Train ('shinkansen') and trains out of the city, as well as to other areas within Kyoto.
(Note: If you are here to travel, unless you have a pass, it's well worth checking that you can't reach your destination via another rail network that isn't JR, e.g. Kyoto-Osaka with JR costs around 800 yen, with Hankyu it's a mere 390 yen).)
The building itself is worth a visit though, built opposite Kyoto Tower, which offers a view of the city for a price, you can get just as good a view (and including the Tower too!) for free from the Station.
On entering ...
Advantages: It is a fascinating city which presents many of the contrasts of Japan Disadvantages: This review is very long - but there is so much to Kyoto that I've only given you the main sites
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- KyotoStation (Free)
You would probably rush straight through the station, but it is actually an attraction in itself. Sights of the city are impressive, and the architecture is a little bit different; although I'm not convinced that the glass makes it appear to float in the city as the information boards at the top would try to make you believe. It also appears to be quite a retail centre with arcades within the building and underground in the subway section. The area they describe as being a 'garden' at the top, would also benefit with a little bit of green, rather than just the concreted area.
- Kyoto Tower (770 Yen)
When there are so many beautiful views of Kyoto this tower does seem a bit overpriced. Although it gives you the best view of the entire city and could be a good way to orientate yourself at the beginning of a visit ...
ickkate 27.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Kyoto (Japan)
Advantages: Cheap area, gorgeous attractions and temples, good for short visits! Disadvantages: Limited activity so best for -5 day visits.
I visited Japan at the end of this July, and have only just returned. I must say it was the holiday of a lifetime. Flights cost £900 each via British Airways.
We visited Kyoto for 3 days. We got there via Shinkansen from Tokyo, and stayed at the New Miyako hotel, just over the road from Kyotostation.
Kyoto was absolutely gorgeous and very easy to navigate around. You can get just about anywhere you want to from KyotoStation. There are buses, subway trains etc. 220 yen is all you need for a bus ride to anywhere along the Kyoto bus lines. That works out at around £1. You just hop on the bus and pay when you get off.
We visited Toei movie land which was a bit of a dissapointment. www.eigamura30.com. Looking at brochures we expected amazing movie scenes etc but it left a lot to be desired. A lot of it was shut off, and most ...
Jellypigs 18.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Kyoto (Japan)
