Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station is the core of Kyoto traffic system. Lines of JR trains, Shinkansen, Kyoto Subway, and Kyoto Buses pass through the Station every day. By these vehicles, you can visit the tourist attractions in Kyoto and go to other major cities around it, including Nara, Osaka, and Hakata. Kyoto Station also provides convenient services for people, especially foreign visitors, such as changing currency and finding lost items.

The crowds at the gate of Kyoto Station

1. How to enter Kyoto Station?

You can enter Kyoto Station from the north side (Karasuma side) and the south side (Hachijo side). The north side is more crowded as the Main Gate is nearby.

North Side:

The North Side is marked by Kyoto Tower and Kyoto Bus Station on the opposite.

The Side is more convenient for taking JR trains.

Kyoto Tower outside Kyoto Station

The bus stop outside Kyoto Station

South Side: 

There are more shops and restaurants near the South Side. 
The South Side is close to Shinkansen platform entrances.

2. Where are the train platforms and Shinkansen platforms?

Shinkansen platforms and most JR train platforms are on the second floor. 

People waiting at Kyoto Station train platform

JR train platforms 0, 2 - 10, and 30 - 33: 

0, 2 – 10: The Central Entrance is on the north side of Kyoto Station, and the West Entrance is on the walkway on the second floor. 
30 – 33: Their entrance is on the north-west of the Kyoto Station

Shinkansen Platforms 11 – 14: 

The 3 Shinkansen platform entrances – Shinkansen Central Gate, the Shinkansen Hachijo Gate, and the Shinkansen Hachijo East Gate are all on the south side of the second floor.

To transfer between Shinkansen and JR trains, go to the transfer gates - East Transfer Gate and Central Transfer Gate near Shinkansen platforms. 

JR Platforms:

Train	Platform
(1) Thunderbird Limited Express on the Hokuriku Line for Fukui, Kanazawa, and Toyama (2) Shinano Limited Express on Tokaido/Chuo Line for Nagano	0
(1) JR Biwako Line for Otsu, Omi Hachiman, Hikone & Hokuriku Region (2) JR Kosei Line for Hieizan Sakamoto, Ogoto Onsen & Omi Maiko.	2 and 3
JR Kyoto Line for Osaka, Sannomiya and Himeji	4 and 5
Super Hakuto Limited Express on the Chizukyuko Line for Tottori & Kurayoshi	6 and 7
JR Nara Line for Tofukuji, Inari, Uji & Nara	8, 9 and 10
Limited Express Haruka for Kansai Airport	30
JR Sagano Line for Nijo, Uzumasa, Saga-Arashiyama	31, 32, and 33

Shinkansen Platforms:

Shinkansen for Nagoya and Tokyo: 11 and 12 Platforms
Shinkansen for Shin-Osaka and Hakata: 13 and 14 Platforms

3. How to get to or get off the train platforms quickly?

The pedestrian walkway on the second floor and underground passage on the east side of the Station can get you to or off trains quickly. The second floor is suitable for boarding on trains as almost all platforms here. When getting off trains, you can choose the walkway underground.

4. How to buy train tickets at Kyoto Station?

You can buy tickets at ticket machines near all ticket gates across the Station or at ticket offices. Ticket machines are very convenient and time-saving. In addition, you can also use an ICOCA card or Kansai One Pass to pass through the ticket gate without buying paper tickets.

The ticket machines have an English version guide. In addition, you can also charge ICOCA cards on the machines. The machines support both coins and bills.

As for Shinkansen tickets on the machine, you need to confirm many information, like whether one-way travel or return travel, reserved seats or non-reserved seats to take. Thus buying Shinkansen tickets at ticket counter is more convenient as you can communicate with the staff directly.

Travellers using ticket machines at Kyoto Station hall

Kyoto Station's ticket machine with English guide

5. What other vehicles can I take in or near Kyoto Station?

You can also take the Kyoto Subway, Kintetsu Railway, and Kyoto buses in or around Kyoto Station. Kintetsu Kyoto Station is on the southwest of Kyoto Station. By this railway, you can go to Nara and Mie.

The Kyoto Subway Station is on the walkway underground, or you can also exit from the north side where there are many subway stations.
To take Kyoto Bus, please exit the Station from the North Side.

6. Who can I turn to if I am confused about taking trains?

If you have any questions about taking trains at Kyoto Station, then go to the information centers at the Station. They are on the second floor and the ninth floor. There will not be a language barrier as the staff can also speak many languages including English. They provide a free English map of Kyoto Station, Internet service, and answer questions about Shinkansen trains. 

The clear signs of train lines at Kyoto Station

7. What services does Kyoto Station Offer?

(1) Currency Changing: 
You can change currency on the 8th floor of Kyoto Station during weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m.
(2) Withdraw Cash: 
You can go to the Post Offices on the north side of the Station to withdraw cash. International credit cards are supported there, including VISA and American Express.
(3) Meals and Accommodation 
Kyoto Station is also a prosperous hub where there are many hotels and restaurants. 
(4) Storage lockers: 
On the north, south, and west sides of Kyoto Station, there are many storage lockers. 
(5) Finding lost items: 
The lost-item office on the north side out of the Station is on service from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.