Come to Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital with a history of a thousand years. Experience both its rich traditional culture and modern vibrance at the same time.
Want to travel in Tokyo with full excitement while saving money?
Let’s learn how to use the valuable Have Fun in Kyoto Pass, which allows you to explore Kyoto’s enjoyable attractions while saving money.
JR Kyoto Station
Our first stop is Kyoto Station, the gathering of Shijo Railway, which is also an important local transportation hub.
If you’re a fan of Hello Kitty, you can make a reservation for the Hello Kitty Shinkansen and take a photo with Platform 30 inside the station and its cute signboards.
Image Source：©KYOTO STATION BUILDING.
In this super modern station, not only is it bustling with people, but it also offers many convenient facilities.
Kyoto Station is connected to the Isetan Department Store, Granvia Hotel, and Porta Mall, making shopping and dining extremely convenient.
JR Tokyo Station
Address：日本京都府京都市下京區東鹽小路高倉町8-3 GoogleMaps
JR Kyoto Station Baggages Storage Service
If you need a place to store your baggage temporarily, head to the Baggage Storage Service Area next to the entrance on the basement floor.
They can even help you send your baggage to several hotels, making your trip easier!
JR Kyoto Station Baggage Storage Service in Crosta
Address：京都市下京區東塩小路町 京都站B1F GoogleMaps
First stop to save money: Loved by both adults and children, the Kyoto Railway Museum
Let’s go to the popular museum in Kyoto — Kyoto Railway Museum.
Present your Have Fun in Kyoto Pass before you enter the museum to make your trip much more convenience.
The museum displays representative vehicles from different periods of Japan, ranging from the modern Shinkansen to the old steam trains.
There are also railway-related artifacts displayed from different eras.
You can also see locomotive head signs from various regional railways on the wall.
From the connecting corridor on the second floor, you can overlook the entire fan-shaped railway depot.
Inside the depot, about 20 representative steam locomotives from the Meiji to Showa periods are displayed, making for a truly spectacular sight.
Kyoto Railway Museum
Address：京都府京都市下京區觀喜寺町 GoogleMaps
Second stop to save money: Kani Kani Land Kyoto Gion Store
Next, let’s head to Gion, Kyoto. If you like seafood, don’t miss Kani Kani Land, a live crab specialty Store.
There are two restaurant in the building. The one on the first floor is live crab specialty store, Kani Kani Land; another one on the second floor is sushi and fresh fish specialty store, OBENKEI.
This time, we ordered the special sushi set.
You can enjoy fresh crabs, grilled shellfish, tempura, sashimi, and other delicious dishes all at once.
The three cups of sake in the set can be adjusted according to your preference, allowing you to choose different combinations of sake.
Please take a look at this crab legs and the fresh sashimi!
The crab meat and crab roe from the grilled shellfish, paired with egg yolk, create an even richer flavor!
We also ordered a seafood donburi and sea urchin donburi. The fresh seafood flavors are exquisite and incredibly delicious.
The store offers a wide variety of sake, making it perfect for those who enjoy tasting different kinds of sake.
Remember to show your Have Fun in Kansai Pass when you check out.
Enjoy an on-site discount, saving you even more on travel expenses.
Kani Kani Land Kyoto Gion Store
Address：京都府京都市東山区元吉町67 新橋通 1F GoogleMaps
Kyoto Station Must-Visit Spots
Gorgeous Graphical Illumination: Kyoto Station Grand Staircase
This grand staircase, with 171 steps, uses approximately 15,000 LED lights to create a spectacular light show.
There is a dazzling light show every day from 3 PM to 10 PM, attracting numerous visitors who take photos and immerse themselves in this magical moment of light and shadow interplay.
Kyoto Station Building Grand Staircase
Address：京都府京都市下京区烏丸通塩小路下ル東塩小路町901 GoogleMaps
Kyoto Tower: Charming both by day and night
Step out of the station hall, look up, and you’ll see Kyoto’s tallest building—Kyoto Tower right in front of you.
This 131-meter-tall tower presents different scenes by day and night, with varying light colors throughout the seasons.
Kyoto Tower
Address：京都市下京區烏丸通七條下東鹽小路町721-1 GoogleMaps
Third stop to save money: Kyoto Station Building General Coupons
※Limited quantity, while supplies last
This time, we used the Have Fun in Kansai Pass to redeem the Kyoto Station Building General Coupons.
Redemption Method：
Present your QR code at the Currency Exchange Vending Machine on JR Kyoto Station JR Information to redeem a 1,000 yen coupon for Kyoto Station building common product.
The coupon can be used for four main areas:
They are the Granvia Kyoto Hotel, JR Kyoto Isetan, Kyoto Porta, and Kyoto Ramen Street.
※Kyoto Station Building General Coupons are available in limited quantities, while supplies last.
※Some stores or merchandise may not be accepted. Please check with each store before use.
If you have not decide how to use the coupon, we suggest you to redeem the merchandise we recommend!
Enjoy the Chilling Moment: Grand Jour Cafe in the Granvia Kyoto Hotel
If you enjoy spending a relaxing afternoon with tea and refreshments, you must visit Grand Jour Cafe on the second floor of the Granvia Kyoto Hotel.
It’s silent and comfortable in the cafe, making you feel relaxed after your trip.
You can enjoy a tangy and sweet fruit tart here while admiring the Kyoto Station, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Hiroshi Hara, through the glass windows.
Slow down and quietly savor this wonderful moment.
The cafe’s menu changes every month, so each time you visit, you can taste different delicious treats.
Grand Jour Cafe in the Granvia Kyoto Hotel
Address：京都府京都市下京区烏丸通塩小路下ル ＪＲ京都駅中央口 ホテルグランヴィア京都 2F GoogleMaps
Shopping: JR Kyoto Isetan Department Store
Located on the west side of Kyoto Station, JR Kyoto Isetan is a large department store that offers a wide variety of products, spanning from B2 to the 11th floor.
Whether it’s fashion, popular beauty products, exquisite cuisine, or souvenirs, everything you need can be found here.
If you like desserts, we recommed you to redeem the popular waffle cookies, BUTTER NO ITOKO.
There are two options: sandwich pancakes and round tin cookies.
The round tin cookies are the delicious edges created when baking thin biscuits. They come in two flavors: chocolate and butter sugar. They are crispy and flavorful, making them incredibly addictive.
JR Kyoto Isetan Department Store
ddress：京都市下京区烏丸通塩小路下ル東塩小路町 GoogleMaps
Explore the Underground Shopping Mall: Kyoto Porta
If you enjoy shopping in underground malls, then Kyoto Porta is definitely a must-visit place for you.
There are approximately 220 shops, ranging from the B2 level to the 2nd floor. At Porta Dining on the B1 level, you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
The underground levels B1 and B2 also feature stores selling fashionable clothing, Japanese goods, and souvenirs, surely satisfying all your shopping desires.
Kyoto Porta
Address：京都府京都市下京区烏丸通塩小路下ル東塩小路町902 GoogleMaps
Omiyage Street
If you haven’t bought any souvenirs during your trip yet, we highly recommend visiting this Omiyage Street.
The shop offers a wide variety of products, gathering Kyoto’s most iconic souvenirs. You can complete all your souvenir shopping in one stop here!
Omiyage Street JR Kyoto Station Central Exit Store
Address：京都府京都市下京区烏丸通塩小路下ル東塩小路町901 京都駅ビル 1F GoogleMaps
Ramen Street: Kyoto Ramen Alley
Ramen lovers, don’t miss Kyoto Ramen Street located on the 10th floor!
This place gathers 9 famous ramen shops from all over Japan, offering a variety of options from hot soups to cold noodles, sure to satisfy your taste buds.
※If you wish to use the Kyoto Station Building General Merchandise Voucher here, make sure to inform the staff in advance.
The staff will exchange the voucher for its equivalent cash value, which you can then use to place an order at the vending machine.
Tsukemen Takamatsu
This time, we chose to try Tsukemen Takamatsu.
We ordered the limited-time duck broth cold ramen (top) and the popular boiled dried sardine ramen (bottom).
Both bowls of ramen were absolutely delicious, and we’d love to have them again next time.
Kyoto Ramen Alley
Address：京都府京都市下京区東塩小路町901 京都駅ビル10階 GoogleMaps
※Please refer to the official website for business hours.
※Attractions in the Pass will be updated from time to time, please refer to the official website for the latest information.
