Japan Guide
Kyoto
Around the station
Historically, the principal entrance to Kyoto lay through its great southern gate, so it's only fitting that this district, south of the city centre, should be home to the monumental Kyoto Station. Uncompromisingly modern, with its shiny black marble exterior, the station has certainly had an effect on the surrounding area, which seems to be a permanent building site with new shopping centres, pachiko parlours and hotels constantly cropping up. However, this area also contains a few of the city's more venerable temples. In their day, when their massive wooden halls were filled with shimmering gold, Nishi-Hongan-ji and Higashi-Hongan-ji were probably just as awe-inspiring as the modern train station.