Kyoto Tower
Kyoto Station, Kyoto
- Daily
- 10:00 to 21:00
Last entry 20:30. On 16 August the deck closes at 18:30 (last entry 18:00).
Source: kyoto-tower.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Kyoto Tower, officially Nidec Kyoto Tower, is 131 m tall and sits on top of a nine-storey building across from the station's central exit. Its shape is meant as a lighthouse over a sea of tiled roofs. Mamoru Yamada designed it, and it opened on 28 December 1964. The deck at 100 m looks over the whole city to the mountains on three sides.
More photos of Kyoto Tower
Insider tip
Entry's ¥1,000 for adults (from 1 October 2026). Go on a clear evening and you'll get the city lights too. There's no steel frame inside. The tower is made of joined cylinders of steel plate, a method first used in Japan here.
Tickets and tours
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What's on at Kyoto Tower
Upcoming events at Kyoto Tower and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Keihan x Hibike! Euphonium 2026 Autumn Collaboration at Nidec Kyoto Tower
京阪電車×響け！ユーフォニアム2026 秋 コラボイベント（ニデック京都タワー）
Time 10:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:30) Station Kyoto Station (JR, Karasuma Line, Kintetsu), across the street
The observation deck shows character panels and a replica Keihan headmark, with collaboration tickets, goods and a seven-spot stamp rally in the tower building. Deck admission is ¥1,000 for adults.
Alberto Ortega, CC BY 2.0 Keihan x Nijusseiki Denki Mokuroku Collaboration at Nidec Kyoto Tower
京阪×二十世紀電氣目録 コラボイベント（ニデック京都タワー）
Time 10:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:30) Station Kyoto Station (JR, Karasuma Line, Kintetsu), across the street
The observation deck has a photo spot, scene panels and the PV for the anime Nijusseiki Denki Mokuroku, plus a yellow and red tower light-up. Deck admission is ¥1,000 for adults.
Alberto Ortega, CC BY 2.0 Nidec Kyoto Tower Special Green Light-up
ニデック京都タワー特別ライトアップ（グリーン）
Time Sunset to 24:00
Kyoto Tower is lit green from sunset to midnight on 7 November 2026, as part of the tower's Nidec Day. The viewing deck invitation is by lottery, but the light-up can be seen from the street.
Alberto Ortega, CC BY 2.0 Uno Aquirax Exhibition
宇野亞喜良展 AQUIRAX UNO
Station Kyoto Station (JR, Karasuma Line), connected
Museum Eki Kyoto surveys illustrator and graphic designer Uno Aquirax from his early work to new pieces, including underground theatre posters and picture books.
Kyoto Station Grand Staircase Illumination: Autumn Leaves
大階段グラフィカルイルミネーションPlus 紅葉
Time 15:00 to 22:00 (hours shift with the season) Station Kyoto Station (JR, Karasuma Line), connected
About 15,000 LEDs on the 125 steps of the station's grand staircase switch to an autumn leaves design.
Sjaak Kempe, CC BY 2.0 Smaller local events nearby
Shintaro Music Festival Performance
Sat 7 Nov · Kyoto Station Muromachi Koji Plaza and Zest Oike Kawaramachi Plaza
Bands and a cappella groups play in memory of Nakaoka Shintaro at Kyoto Station's Muromachi Koji Plaza and the Zest Oike plaza. In rain the station forecourt replaces the plaza. Severe weather cancels it.
Free to watch · Map · Source: Shintaro Music Festival · 慎太郎音楽祭
Kyoto Station Grand Staircase Illumination: Winter Season Illumination
26 to 31 Dec · Kyoto Station Building (Grand Staircase)
The lit 125 of the grand staircase's 171 steps switch to a winter design built on snow and snowflake motifs from 26 to 31 December 2026, from 15:00 to 22:00.
15:00 to 22:00 · Map · Source: Kyoto Station Building · 大階段グラフィカルイルミネーションPlus Winter season
Nearby
Around Kyoto Station
Free temples and late ramen a few minutes from the platforms
Most visitors only see Kyoto Station on the way in or out, which is a shame. Higashi Hongan-ji is 7 minutes north on foot and free, To-ji's pagoda is 15 minutes south, and at the railway museum to the west a working steam engine will pull you along. After dark, 15,000 LEDs light the station's 171-step staircase.
Kyoto Station has 23 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 4 shrines and temples, 4 museums, 3 restaurants, 2 shops, 2 cafes, 2 parks and gardens, 2 bathhouses, 1 bar, 1 landmark, 1 viewpoint and 1 market. Read the Kyoto Station guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Kyoto Tower?
- 721-1 Higashi-Shiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市下京区烏丸通七条下る東塩小路町721-1).
- What are the opening hours of Kyoto Tower?
- Daily 10:00 to 21:00. Last entry 20:30. On 16 August the deck closes at 18:30 (last entry 18:00).
- How do I get to Kyoto Tower?
- The nearest station is Kyoto (JR, Karasuma Line, Kintetsu). Kyoto Tower is in Kyoto Station, Kyoto.
- How much does Kyoto Tower cost?
- Kyoto Tower is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Kyoto Tower?
- Plan for 45 min.
- When is the best time to visit Kyoto Tower?
- Clear evenings.
Stay near Kyoto Tower
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