Expert-guided tour alert: Kyoto Tower’s newly opened shopping mall in 2017 – more fun and more shopping!

By Iren Chen, Photos byFP 

[New Shopping Mall Report: Japan Food Travel Information]

Kyoto Tower in Japan is the first iconic landmark you see right outside the gate after arriving in Kyoto via the Haruka limited express from Kansai Airport. Although the station and its surrounding area offer a full range of facilities including extended malls and various souvenir shops, as well as department stores like Isetan, The Cube, and Porta, the world's tallest non-steel structure, Kyoto Tower, is no less remarkable. Just before the New Year’s Eve, an announcement was made about the opening of the new mall “Kyoto Tower Sando.”

Completed on Christmas Day in 1964, Kyoto Tower has a history of 52 years to date. By September 2014, it had welcomed over 29 million visitors. Its above-ground structure stands 100 meters tall, making it the highest building in Kyoto. From its observation deck, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. On clear days, you can even see as far as Osaka. The top floor is Kuu “Sky” Lounge, a great spot for a drink. (Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.)

The rooftop area on the 10th floor serves as a relaxation zone with a seasonal BBQ area. Floors 5 to 9 house guest rooms of Kyoto Tower Hotel. The 3rd floor features a kaiseki restaurant and an all-you-can-eat buffet called Tower 0’ Panorama, as well as a tourist information corner. There’s also a large public bath called Yuu, which costs 750 yen for adults on weekdays, 850 yen on holidays, and is free for children aged 2 to elementary school age. Floors B1 to 2 are home to the main focus of this article: the new shopping mall area “Kyoto Tower Sando.”

The layout of B1 is designed as a “gathering and relaxation” zone, conceptually centered around “tasting food and experiencing Kyoto.” This 400-tsubo area houses over 20 shops, offering local souvenirs, sake, famous steak and dumplings, and of course, you can also unwind with a beer after work. The 1st floor, themed “shopping and exploration,” follows the philosophy of “enjoying fine goods and feeling Kyoto.” It introduces about 30 shops, including Western-style confectionery, Kyoto pickles, cosmetics, organic stores, sandwich shops using Kyoto vegetables, and Kyoto souvenir stores. The 2nd floor is dedicated to “play and learning,” with the concept of “hands-on experiences and feeling Kyoto,” where you can try your hand at making nigiri sushi and beading, immersing yourself in Kyoto culture and experiencing the charm of Kyoto more deeply.

% Seasonal illustration of 1st floor (conceptual image)

% Illustration of underground floor (conceptual image)

Scheduled to open in spring 2017, it offers another new option before heading to Kansai Airport.

“Kyoto Tower Sando”

0600-8216, Karasuma-dori Nana-jō-sagaru, Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto

Source of Information
Kyoto Tower Official Website
https://www.keihanhotels-resorts.co.jp/kyoto-tower/zh-tw/
FP Official Website
https://www.fashion-press.net/news/27995

Author Introduction
Iren Chen 'Japan Food Travel Information

A self-proclaimed pseudo-literary youth in childhood who wrote poetry, later became half a car enthusiast and half a tech person in work life. Traveled across Europe, America, Japan, Korea, China, and Southeast Asia, spent several years in the U.S., worked for a Chinese company, part PR person, part marketing person. With a unique constitution, loves getting close to the supernatural, author of “Conditions to Become a Witch” by Da Ku Culture; loves Japan deeply, considered Kyoto her home from the first visit; passionate about travel and snow, always eager to try new things, has a sweet tooth, loves food, and is also a bit of an ant collector.

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