The new Kyoto Station building opened in 1997, amid some controversy regarding its suitability for a city like Kyoto, with its abundance of old temples and shrines, tiny historic streets and restaurants, and ancient scenes; the main reasons it attracts so many tourists. Kyoto was not bombed during WW2, so many of its historic treasures are still intact, making it unique in Japan in terms of a major city. It was the capital of Japan in the Heian period, and the opening of the station building coincided with the 1200th anniversary of the commencement of that period.
A view across the concourse of the station, showing the escalators giving access to the roof, and the department store.
Personally, I like the complex, and for the record, don't agree with the critics at all. The building that it replaced was a utilitarian concrete structure from 1953, hardly historic, and of little architectural merit. And the station is far enough away from any major temples or shrines, or historic buildings, to be not overshadowing them. And the station area of Kyoto is a very important site, being the hub of Kyoto's transport system. The shinkansen goes through here, it is the centre of JR rail activity for the area, even connecting Kyoto with the new Kansai airport in Osaka. And the bus terminal in the main square in front of the station is the arrival and departure point for all of the city's bus routes, the main arterial transport network servicing Kyoto.
The huge, 60 meter high atrium, and escalators to the hotel, upper levels, and office complex.
The lovely roofline as you come off the main escalators onto the viewing area, and a detail of the curved glass and steel roof.
Designed by architect Hiroshi Hara, the building is a huge structure of glass and steel, 70 meters high and 470 meters long. Of course it houses the platforms for the train system, but it also contains a very fine hotel, a department store, an office tower, a theatre and several small museums, a shopping mall, and assorted restaurants and cafes. There is a giant escalator system that takes you from the huge, 60 meter high atrium over the main concourse, up to the roof, where you get a spectacular view over Kyoto city.
An outdoor light fitting on the viewing roof, and a view of one of the many open cafes scattered throughout the building.
It's critics cite the station building as being the catalyst for the erection of other high-rise buildings in Kyoto, which, they claim, are destroying the spirit of old Kyoto. In my opinion, to blame the station for this is unreasonable, as each project in any important location should be examined on its merits alone. Besides, much of old Kyoto (old houses, shopping districts) has been destroyed to make way for bland, non-descript modern Japanese housing of no architectural merit at all.
Unable to resist the temptation to include 'kawaii' somewhere in the building, these plastic 'Atom Boy' signposts complete the futuristic design.
The station building is certainly imposing, and certainly futuristic in style, but it is a building designed in good taste, with clever use of space, and modern materials that blend together well. It is also a very useful building, making the absolute most of its environment with worthwhile, quality facilities, and it provides travellers with an uplifting experience on their arrival in the city.
As I said before, I like it.
hi ,iam an architect by profession.This website is really good.Can i have more information on planning kyoto station.Thank you.
Posted by: payal | August 16, 2006 at 04:32 PM