Kyoto Tower, Kyoto

A great view of the city; I would recommend going on a clear afternoon - I visited in the evening and you really couldn't see much. There is shopping available here - more cheesy tourist stuff, but sometimes it just has to be done. The cost was about $8 CAD.

The first thing you see as you exit Kyoto station - that is, if you can find your way out of Japan's biggest station - is the Kyoto Tower. It's quite impressive by night, but by day it's an ugly phallic protuberance that should be visited just to avoid having to look at it - although once you have got to the top it provides a wonderful view of the city and the distant hills. Down in the basement you'll find an ATM machine that accepts foreign credit cards. Useful to know when you run out of money - as everyone does in high-priced Japan.

Accros the Main Station is Kyoto Tower. You have a great view from the top and the entrance fee of 700 yen is pretty fair.

You can't miss this structure as it rises above the Kyoto Train Station. The observation floor has a great view of the city and it is said that you can see all the way to Osaka on a clear day.