infomapJAPAN Free Travel Guide. Maps, Sightseeing, Access Guide, Accommodation, Events, Japanese Trends, Gifts

The first Kyoto station was a two storied red brick building established in 1877, the second wooden station built during the Taisho Period was destroyed by fire in 1956 and it was reconstructed in 1957. In 1997, the new gateway to the ancient capital, Kyoto was opened in the Shimogyo Shichijo district as a part of the 1,200th anniversary celebration of the Heian Capital foundation. Designed by an architect, Hiroshi Hara, one of the largest station complexes in Japan was established. The new Kyoto Station boasts its contemporary features incorporating the essence of traditional features of Kyoto into the design that is enhanced by using glasses and steels skillfully and it accommodates a number of train, bus, and subway lines crossing over the station daily. The station houses a hotel, a department store, shops, all kinds of restaurants, theaters, offices, and an observation deck. A fine view of Kyoto can be enjoyed from the observation deck, the sky plaza located on the 12th floor.

Head temple of the Jodo-Shin sect Honganji branch was found in 1272 by a daughter of Shinran who is the founder of this sect. The Jodo-Shin sect is Japan's largest school of Buddhism and has many temples in Japan and abroad. Re-establishment of the temple led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1591 moved it to the current location. The temple is home to various national and international treasures with its architectural style presenting elegance of the culture developed during the Momoyama Period. The Mikage-do and the Amida-do are Important Cultural Properties, and the Japan's oldest Noh stage, Kara-mon, Shoin, Kuro-Shoin, and Hiun-kaku are National Treasures. In 1602, the Honganji sect’s fast paced growth turned into a threat to the shogun and it was split into two schools: the Otani School in the east and the Honganji School in the west. Nish Honganji Temple is listed as a part of the World Cultural Heritage in 1994.

Headquarters of the Toji School of the Shingon sect was established in 796 with a goal of protecting the nations, and then the temple was passed on to the founder of the Shingon sect, Kobo Daishi who is more commonly known as Kukai in 823. Known as a home to numerous national treasures, the temple and the treasure house in the precincts preserve a number of cultural properties that have some connections with Shingon sect. of Buddhism, including the Kodo (an Important Cultural Property) with 21 Buddhist images housed inside the building, the Godai-Myo-0 (National Treasures), and the five-story pagoda (a National Treasure) that is the Japan's tallest wooden tower with its height of 57 meters. A flea market and an antique fair are held at the temple every month and many market stalls stand in a raw. Toji Temple was listed as a part of the World Cultural Heritage in 1994.

A long stick shaped tower built on top of a 9-story hotel across the street from the Kyoto Station, is the Kyoto Tower. Designed in the image of a lighthouse, the tower has been a landmark of Kyoto with its height of 131 meters ever since it was built in December 1964. The observatory deck at 100 meters off the ground commands a fine panoramic view of the entire city of Kyoto as well as all the way out to the 36 peaks of Mount Higashiyama. The tower is designed in the unique style of using steel rings instead of a steel frame that is commonly used for towers such as the Tokyo Tower and the Eiffel Tower. The tower and hotel house various amusement facilities such as a game room, souvenir shop, restaurants, multipurpose event hall, specialty shop, and even a huge bathhouse. The tower is lit up at night.

Shosei-en is located on the grounds of the Higashi Honganji Temple that was founded when the Honganji Temple was split in two schools and became the head temple of Shinshu Otani sect. The garden, Shosei-en is also known as Kikoku-tei based on its hedge of Trifoliate orange and has a large pond called "Ingetsu-ike," which occupies about 15 percent of the site, is located in the middle of the garden. The pond garden said to be laid out during the Heian Period by the Emperor Saga's son, Minamotono Toru who tried to portray the views of the northern part of Japan by using seawater brought from Osaka. After this property was given to the priest of the Honganji Temple in 1641, Ishikawa Jozen was ordered to work on the landscaping. The present garden retains its appearance from the Edo period although buildings on a premise were destroyed by fire and it is famous for beautiful views of each season.