Kyoto is one of Japan’s most historic cities, serving as the nation’s capital for over a thousand years, while being known for its thousand-year-old shrines and temples. But towering above an ancient city stands a modern landmark called Kyoto Tower, offering visitors a different perspective on one of Japan’s oldest cities.
Standing at 429 feet tall, Kyoto Tower is the tallest building in the city, with an observation deck at 328 feet. Visitors can get a clear view of the entire city, all the way to Osaka, on particularly clear days.
Kyoto Tower officially opened in December 1964, to celebrate the rapid modernization of Japan, coinciding with the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen, along with the hosting of the 1964 Summer Olympics.
The tower was designed by Mamoru Yamada with the help of Makoto Tanahashi, a doctor of engineering at Kyoto University, and was built to withstand natural disasters that are common in Japan, including earthquakes and typhoons.
Sitting next to Kyoto Station, the biggest train station in the city, Kyoto Tower is a perfect destination for those arriving to the city via train. For tourists coming in from the shinkansen, Kyoto Tower is a short five-minute walk from the station, giving tourists a grand overview of the city before they start exploring it.
The tower sits directly on top of a nine-story commercial building that houses shops, restaurants and even a hotel, giving tourists plenty to do before and after their time at the observation deck.
Admission price is 900 yen or about $5, with younger children and students getting in at a discounted rate, making Kyoto Tower a fun and inexpensive activity, especially for families.
After purchasing a ticket on the ground floor, visitors are given a brochure and sent to the 11th floor, where visitors can then catch a separate elevator that connects to the observation deck, taking you straight to the top.
Once at the top, you are greeted with a panoramic view of Kyoto from every angle, from the downtown areas to iconic shrines; you can truly see it all from the observation deck. The deck also features binoculars that can be used for free to get the best view of specific landmarks within the city.
The deck’s architecture creates multiple viewpoints by allowing visitors to look both outward across Kyoto’s skyline and down onto the city below. This is a relatively unique feature for a tower that doesn’t have a glass floor.
But the 360 view of the city isn’t the only thing the tower has to offer, as the observation deck has a few unique activities that enhance both the view and the overall experience. The observatory features a couple of claw machines with both random and tower-themed prizes widening the appeal of the tower beyond just the view.
The tower also features multiple unique ways and perspectives to admire the beautiful and historic skyline of Kyoto. Large red steel support beams curve across the observation deck, providing extra foundation for the tower while creating the opportunity for some unique framing of the city’s skyline.
Along with the exterior aspects that enhance the view, Kyoto Tower also makes an effort to create a unique framing of the city on the inside. The tower also featured a heart design on the window along with vibrant purple flowers, giving couples a chance to capture romantic moments and memories within the tower.
In a city full of ancient wonders attracting tourists for its rich history, Kyoto Tower stands as a modern marvel within the city, giving visitors a change of pace and perception of Kyoto in an inexpensive and fun experience.
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