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Kyoto Station is more than just a place to catch a train. Kyoto Station is a massive, ultra-modern complex of glass and steel designed by award-winning architect Hiroshi Hara and features an incredible variety of shops and restaurants and houses.
Kyoto Station is an important train station and transportation hub in Kyoto. It is the second largest train station building in Japan and is one of the largest buildings in the country, housing a shopping center, hotel, cinema, Isetan department store and several community facilities under a 15-story roof.
At the Kyoto Tourist Information Center, the multilingual staff provides information on sights, events, activities, accommodations and transport options. Free WiFi is also available. The center is on the pedestrian walkway on the second floor.
Kyoto Tower is an observation tower located in Kyoto, Japan. The steel tower is the tallest structure in Kyoto with its observation deck at 100 metres and its spire at 131 metres. The 800-ton tower stands atop a 9-story building, which houses a 3-star hotel and several stores. [Wikipedia]
Nishi Hongan-ji is a large Buddhist temple west of Kyoto train station. Together with Higashi Hongan-ji, together with Nishi Hongan-ji, it is one of the two temple complexes of Shin Buddhism in Kyoto. It currently also serves as the main temple of the Jodo -Shin sect, one of the largest Buddhist sects in Japan with over 10,000 sub-temples across the country and 200 temples overseas. Built in 1591 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the building is a great example of the architecture of the Momoyama Period and the Early Edo Period. The two largest structures by Nishi Hongan-ji are the Goeido Hall, the largest wooden structure in Kyoto, and the Amidado Hall. Nishi Hongan-ji is also one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto. A small Japanese garden called Shoseien is a few blocks east of Higashi Hongan-ji. Nowadays the garden with its pond and the particularly beautiful autumn colors is open to the public.
Kyoto Aquarium is located on the edge of Umekoji Park near Kyoto Station. The aquarium features 9 zones including penguins, seals and dolphin shows.