Guide to visiting Kyoto Tower observation deck

In Kyoto, every ancient stone, the scent of incense, and the rustle of a kimono tell a story of elegance and grace from centuries of tradition.

The city is a living snapshot of history, where cherry blossoms whisper secrets of samurai and geisha, and temple bells echo with reverence.

Despite its deep roots in the past, Kyoto embraces modernity with skyscrapers and bullet trains alongside historic temples.

Kyoto Tower, the city’s observation deck, is 100 meters high and offers panoramic views that blend traditional aesthetics with modern landscapes.

This article provides all the information you need before booking tickets to Kyoto Tower.

# Kyoto Tower tickets

It is better to buy your tickets online in advance to avoid last minute disappointment.

Things to know before booking tickets

Kyoto Tower
Image: Thrillophilia.com

Kyoto Tower tickets are available online and at the attraction.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.

When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.

Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking early also helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

To book tickets, go to the booking page and specify your planned travel date, time slot, and the number of tickets.

Once you complete the booking process, the tickets will be mailed to you.

You do not need to carry printouts.

Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and walk in. Carry a valid ID

Kyoto Tower tickets

Get a ticket to Kyoto Tower and access its 100-meter-high observation deck with telescopes for stunning city views.

Enjoy a modern perspective of Kyoto’s ancient beauty and take advantage of dining and shopping options within the tower.

The ticket also grants entry to various interactive exhibits that blend historical and contemporary experiences.

Ticket Prices

Adult (15+ years): ¥954 (US$7)
Child (6 to 14 years): ¥636 (US$4)
Student (15 to 17 years): ¥767 (US$5)
Infant: Free

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Opening hours

The Kyoto Tower welcomes visitors all year round from 10 am to 9 pm.

It is closed on 16 August.

How long does the tour take

The length of the tours depends on the activities you wish to indulge in.

If you wish to supplement your sightseeing with a meal, a Kyoto Tower tour lasts around two hours.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Kyoto Tower is just before sunset.

You can watch the city transition day to night, painting the skyline in a warm orange glow before the night lights twinkle.

If you want to leave the rush behind, the best time to observe the sacred city is at the crisp morning hour of 10 am.

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Sunset occurs around 5 pm in the winter and 7 pm in the summer.

Frequently asked questions

Here are a few questions visitors usually ask before visiting Kyoto Tower:

Is the Kyoto Tower disability friendly?

Yes, wheelchair access has been added to the Tours.

When was the Kyoto Tower built?

This was built by the architect Mamoru Yamada in 1964, during the Tokyo Olympics, in the likeness of a Japanese candlestick.

Where can I book tickets to the Kyoto Tower observation deck?

Tourists can buy tickets online or at the venue on the day of their visit. For the best experience, we suggest booking your tickets online in advance.

How tall is the Kyoto Tower?

It is 131 meters (430 feet) high and includes an observation deck positioned 100 meters (328 feet) above the ground.

Is the telescope and dining lounge access included in the Kyoto Tower observation deck ticket price?

The observation deck ticket price does not cover food expenses and dining lounge accesses.
 
You are free to access the observatory’s telescope.

Restaurants

There is a host of options for casual or fine dining.

Mirakuza

Mirakuza is a laid-back izakaya, a traditional Japanese pub-style eatery that offers a delightful blend of robust cuisine and refreshing beverages.

This dining establishment serves fresh seafood, focusing on delectable sushi and sashimi.

Beyond these, patrons can relish extensive dishes, ranging from crispy tempura and flavorful noodles to a comforting duck meat hotpot brimming with tofu and vegetables.

The restaurant takes pride in its diverse selection of nihonshu, or sake, including a fine assortment of local varieties.

With an emphasis on affordability, Mirakuza ensures that patrons can enjoy a satisfying lunch for around ¥ $1000 (US$7) or a dinner for approximately ¥ $3800 (US$25).

Mirakuza is located at the B1 level. The restaurant operates from 11 am to 10.30 pm, with the last orders at 9.30 pm.

Fushimi

Fushimi, another renowned restaurant, can be found on the tower’s basement level.

Popular among locals and tourists alike, this eatery is celebrated for its delectable Kyoto set meals, which feature various tempting dishes.

Alongside favorites such as tempura, sashimi, grilled beef, and hearty nabe hot pots,

Fushimi also serves an enticing selection of matcha green tea, preserved fish, kushikatsu, and konnyaku skewers.

However, the standout star of Fushimi’s menu is its meticulously crafted handmade tofu, a must-try for every visitor.

Additionally, for a complete culinary experience, indulge in the silky-textured soymilk doughnuts known as ToNyu, dusted with brown sugar or condensed milk.

The restaurant, which is at the B1 level, serves lunch from 11 am to 3 pm and dinner from 4.45 pm to 10 pm, with the last orders taken at 9.30 pm.

Toh En

Indulge in a delectable Chinese dining experience at Toh En, one of Kyoto Tower’s highly recommended restaurants, renowned for its extensive range of Chinese delicacies.

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Situated on the B1 level of the Building, Toh En offers delectable Chinese set-course meals and presents an enticing selection of a la carte dishes and all-you-can-drink specials, appealing to a wide array of guests.

The restaurant prides itself on skillfully incorporating meticulously chosen traditional Kyoto ingredients into its Beijing-style cuisine.

Among the top favorites on the menu are the flavorful Peking duck, the tangy sweet and sour pork, and the renowned mapo tofu, which continue to delight patrons.

Toh En operates from 11 am to 10 pm, with the last orders at 9.30 pm.

Tower Terrace

For those seeking a casual buffet-style dining experience, Tower Terrace, situated on the third floor of the tower building, is an ideal destination.

With picturesque vistas of Kyoto and Kyoto Station, Tower Terrace offers a diverse buffet bar featuring a blend of local organic produce and permanent and seasonal dishes.

Diners can indulge in a selection of Kyoto, Chinese, and Western-style delicacies alongside an array of sweet treats, including pastries, cakes, and desserts.

Tower Terrace’s renowned menu highlights include obanzai (picked ochazuke), a refreshing vegetable salad with strawberry and kiwi dressing, Vietnamese Pho, Chinese rice porridge, and kiln-baked pizzas topped with Kujo green onions.

Tower Terrace is situated on the 3rd floor, and it serves breakfast from 7 am to 10 am, lunch from 11.30 am to 3 pm (with a 90-minute limit), dinner from 5.30 pm to 9 pm, and sweets from 3.30 pm to 5 pm.

Tower Terrace Dining Benishiro

Benishiro is another favored dining spot adjacent to the Kyoto Tower Terrace buffet restaurant on the third floor of the tower building.

Benishiro is renowned for its elegant set-course meals, served in a refined atmosphere with dedicated dining and seating areas. Here, guests can savor a fusion of Japanese cuisine infused with subtle Western influences.

Notably, all dishes at Benishiro are presented in the local kaiseki style, a traditional multi-course Japanese meal.

Patrons can also enjoy an assortment of beverages, providing a refreshing accompaniment to their experience.

The Café & Bar is is open from 12 noon to 9 pm, with the last orders at 8.30 pm. Lunch is served from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, with the last orders at 2 pm, while dinner is available from 5.30 pm to 9 pm, with the last orders at 8.30 pm.

Sky Lounge ‘Kuu’

Kyoto Tower Sky Lounge ‘Kuu’
Image: Kyoto-towerhotel.jp

At the tower’s third observatory level, you’ll find the stylish Sky Lounge “Kuu,” a sophisticated bar and pub that ranks high among the restaurants.

Renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views of Kyoto, this lounge offers box and table seating options.

Transitioning from a daytime café to an evening destination, it serves light fare such as sandwiches, quiches, and pasta during the afternoon, transforming into a popular venue for enjoying beverages against the backdrop of the city lights.

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Sky Lounge “Kuu” is celebrated for its wide array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and its appetizing sausage plate starter and pilaf, which perfectly complement the renowned gin-based drinks.

The cafe is open from 3 pm to 8 pm, with the last orders at 7.45 pm, while the bar is open from 6 pm to 11 pm, with the last orders at 10.30 pm.

The Beer Garden

Kyoto Tower Beer Garden
Image: Hankyu-hotel.com

During the summer season, the Beer Garden on the 10th floor atop Tower Hotel is a prime destination for those craving the refreshing taste of beer.

Boasting a seating capacity of 350 guests and an enviable location directly in front of Kyoto Station, this beer garden, nestled beneath the towering, offers a fresh perspective for visitors to enjoy.

In addition to the customary beer accompaniments like green peas and potatoes, the extensive buffet menu features over 30 selections of Western, Japanese, and Chinese dishes and desserts.

The drinks menu includes draft beer drawn from the keg, stout, shochu (a clear liquor distilled from sweet potatoes, buckwheat, and rice), Japanese sake, chuhai (a beverage made with shochu and carbonated water flavored with lemon), wine, and an array of soft drinks.

The Beer Garden operates from 5.30 pm to 9 pm, with last orders taken at 8.30 pm. It is exclusive to the summer season.

What to expect at Kyoto Tower

Despite the touch of modernity, the architect Mamoru Yamada ensured that the tower still lies rooted in the imagery of Japan and is thus built in the likeness of a Japanese Candlestick.

Witness the colorful city materialize like sweeping brush strokes as you ascend to the tower’s observation deck with any of the nine elevators.

Towards the east, you will see the Kamo River meandering through the enchanting town of Kyoto.

To the west, the Higashiyama mountains, adorned with temples and cherry blossoms, make the landscape even more fantasy-like.

The observation deck also has telescopes and informational panels that describe the landmarks that may be seen from the tower, letting you jump head-first into Kyoto’s rich history and culture.

Dine at the restaurant in the tower, which slowly rotates to give breathtaking views of Kyoto while you feast on delectable Japanese cuisine.

Immerse yourself in the views of cultural assets such as Kiyomizu Temple and Toji Temple from the highest vantage point in Kyoto.

On a clear day, this tower, originally built in 1964, offers scenic vistas stretching as far as the city of Osaka.

The 800-ton (800000 kg) Tokyo Tower sits atop a nine-story structure that houses a 3-star hotel and many shopping stores.

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Researched & Written by
Jamshed V Rajan has a rich background in writing and developing internet products and communities. In 2018, he ventured into the travel industry by founding FireStorm Internet. His first venture was TheBetterVacation.com. Since then, Jamshed has dedicated himself to learning about tourist attractions and experiences worldwide. His commitment to providing accurate and detailed information makes him an invaluable resource for travelers.