Kyoto Tower, Kyoto

When you reach Kyoto, the very first thing you will see when landed in the city centre (Kyoto Station), you will see this tall Kyoto Tower dominating the skyline. Every city has something like this and this Kyoto Tower (more if you step into the Kyoto Station Building) will leave you an impression that Kyoto could be another concrete jungle and you start to wonder where are all the temples and shrines.

I did not go up to the Kyoto Tower due to time constraint.. I took this picture when I was waiting for my bus at Berth A2. If you have the time, go up there during a clear day and I believe you would be able to see nice scenery of Kyoto.

Extracted from web-link :
This 131 meter-high observatory tower was constructed in 1964 on top of a building directly opposite JR Kyoto Sta. building. Its unique form is in the shape of a Japanese candle stick. Instead of a conventional steel frame it is made of a tower of steel rings. The observation deck is located 100 meters above from the ground and is a major sightseeing spot with a wonderful view of the whole city of Kyoto nearby temples and shrines and the 36 peaks of the Higashiyama range. A sauna is located in the 3rd underground level of the tower building (open 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.).
Opened: December 28 1964

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The Kyoto Tower is one of the modern attractions in this city. It is located just opposite of the central railway station. It is beautiful at night and a great place to go up and see the city from above on a sunny day. Better to do it on your last day here when you are already familiar with the landscape.

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This is a must do if you are in Kyoto. it is perfect for getting your bearings, and just plain old fabulous for getting great views! I loved it...and I'm afraid of heights. I was so busy looking out at everything that I didn't once (or hardly once) look down!
There are free binoculars available, and places of interest are marked on the walls pointing to where you can find them.
The tower viewing platform is 100metres above the ground. It is open year round from 9am - 9pm (last entry at 8.40pm). It costs 770yen per adult.

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While we were busy getting our bus passes, I took a snap shot of the Kyoto tower. We were on our way visiting all the temples. By the time that we were done with just four temples at the end of the day, we got back at the Kyoto Station. To our amazement, the Kyoto Tower is much prettier to look at, at night!

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If you have some extra cash and/or time, you may want to get up to the tower to have an overview of Kyoto on your first day there. But, you will be fine too if you give it a miss.

The third picture gives you an idea of the Kyoto Station atrium... it is the most peaceful part of the Kyoto Station.

Always allocate enough time to look at signages and go to the right platform to catch your train... you will be bombarded with the number of direction signages and people walking in all directions.

The fourth and fifth pictures showed you the bus ticket center that is right outside the Kyoto Station. We bought our 1 day pass there.

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A distinctive Kyoto landmark built in 1964 and situated directly in front of Kyoto station. It's 131-meter-high and resembling a torch. Illuminated at night it serves as a truly handy location device. Inside are an observation platform, souvenir shop, hotel and a large bathhouse, plus an assortment of weird and wonderful amusements and arcade games.

The entry fee is JPY770.

The base of the tower is situated on top of the Tokyo tower hotel.
There is a two story observation deck at the top of the tower with a full panoramic view of Kyoto with almost every famous site in the city.
Built in the same year of the Tohyo Olimpic games, the tower was created to attract tourist from Tokyo to Kyoto...confused?

A can't fail to see.....right outside the station and visible from most places that we visited too. A good land mark to get your bearings from but, it seemed much closer that it really was when we were walking towards it! It's part of one of the hotels around the station and you can ride to the top if you want.