Kyoto Tower

Kyoto Tower (京都タワー Kyōto-tawā) is an observation tower located in Kyoto, Japan. The steel tower is the tallest structure in Kyoto with its observation deck at 100 meters (328 ft) and its spire at 131 meters (430 ft). The 800-ton tower stands atop a 9-story building, which houses a 3-star hotel and several stores. The entire complex stands opposite Kyoto Station.

History

Kyoto Tower was proposed in the early 1960's, and it was planned to be constructed and completed in time to correspond with the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Construction began in 1963 on the former site of Kyoto's central post office and was completed near the end of 1964. Unlike many other towers, such as Tokyo Tower that are constructed using metal lattice frames, Kyoto Tower's interior structure consists of many steel rings stacked on top of each other. The structure was then covered with lightweight steel sheets with a thickness between 12–22 mm (0.47–0.87 in). The sheets were then welded together and painted white. The intended overall effect was for the tower to resemble a Japanese candle.

Designed by Makoto Tanahashi, a doctor of engineering at Kyoto University, Kyoto Tower was built to withstand the forces of both earthquakes and typhoons. The head of the tower's business division, Tsuyoshi Tamura, claims it can withstand winds of up to 201 mph (90 m/s) and survive an earthquake of far greater magnitude than that of the Kobe or Tokyo earthquakes.

The tower was first opened to the public on December 28, 1964. Within its first year of opening, 1 million people visited the tower's observation deck. Throughout the years, the tower's draw as a tourist attraction has diminished. By 1999, observation deck ticket sales dropped to less than 400,000 a year, or about 1,000 a day.

Controversy

]]

Kyoto Tower has been the subject of controversy since it was in its planning phase. Public opposition not only stemmed from the tower's ¥380 million ($1.056 million in 1963) price tag, but also from the fact that many believed the needle-shaped spire was too modern looking for the ancient capital. The construction regulations in Kyoto that restrict a building's maximum height increases the sense of proportion between the tower and the low machiya and ferroconcrete apartment blocks below. These municipal regulations have ensured that the tower maintains its status as the tallest man-made structure in the city since its construction and will likely help it to hold the distinction for many years to come.

Today, reaction to Kyoto Tower remains divided. Many foreigners who come to Kyoto seeking an elusive sense of old Japan are surprised to see both the modern, glass and steel Kyoto Station and the imposing steel tower directly across the street. Alex Kerr, an expert on Japan's fading past, has called the tower "a stake through the heart" of the city. While some disapprove of the tower, many locals have welcomed station and tower, believing them to help add a touch of modernity to the city to ensure that it does not become foreign to the rest of new Japan.

Facilities

Kyoto Tower is split into two distinct structures. The primary structure is the steel spire that begins on the roof of the building below. Tourists may buy tickets and ascend one of the tower's nine elevators to visit the 100-metre (330 ft)-high, 500-person-capacity observation deck. This area is lined with game machines and pay telescopes and provides a 360-degree view of the city. From here, nearly all of Kyoto can be seen. The mountains of Higashiyama and Arashiyama are visible on the east and west sides respectively, while Kitayama can be seen to the north. On a clear day, some buildings in Osaka are visible to the south.

The second structure that completely supports the 800-ton tower and gives the it its first 30.8 meters of height is a 9-story building. The first four floors of the building house several commercial areas, including a souvenir shop, a 100 yen shop, a bookstore and a dentist's office. In the basement of the building, there is a spa. Floors 5-9 are devoted to the 160-room, 3-star Kyoto Tower Hotel. Atop the building and surrounding the tower is the circular, three-floor restaurant named Sky Lounge "空" KUU.

See also

References

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Bardia K.
20 December 2015
Observation deck is very inexpensive (¥770) and offers beautiful views of the city, with stationary binoculars that are free to use. Tawawachan, the tower mascot, is omnipresent and beyond adorable.
Cynthia Drescher
28 May 2013
Really great welcome to Kyoto when you walk out of the station to see this. Note where it is in relation to the rest of the city & it becomes a great waypoint for when you're biking all over.
Angeliux
17 April 2017
Excellent view for ¥770. It's closed at 9pm, don't go around 8:30 'cause you won't have enough time to look around. I wish I could be with my Pearl
fuyu????‍????® (='-')ノ シン・ガキんちょ????????
ついに2016年3月14日照明がLED化。消費電力は60%削減され、今までになかった色合いが実現されることとなりました。by Panasonic
fuyu????‍????® (='-')ノ シン・ガキんちょ????????
京都タワーが大嫌いな人、ここお勧めします。ここに登るとどこの方角向いても京都の街に京都タワーが見えません(=゚ω゚)ノ
せっ つ
30 May 2019
展望カフェがデート向きやしおすすめです。タワー階下の“京都タワーサンド”と、展望台とでお土産が異なり、京都タワーらしいお土産やったら展望台に上がったほうが良いです。30秒で終わる手相占いがよう当たると人気です。地下には大浴場があり、朝7時から入れます。
Load more comments
foursquare.com
6.6/10
ほょ, 冷た~いホット and 17,787 more people have been here
Map
721 Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan Get directions
Mon-Sun 9:00 AM–9:00 PM

Kyoto Tower on Foursquare

Kyoto Tower on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
THE JUNEI HOTEL Kyoto Imperial Palace West

starting $625

Hidden Inn Gosho

starting $0

Kyo-machiya Hotel Shiki Juraku

starting $412

Hotel Rubino Kyoto Horikawa

starting $76

Rubino Kyoto Horikawa

starting $76

Guesthouse Goettingen

starting $54

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Mimizuka

The Шаблон:Nihongo, an alteration of the original Шабло

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Sanjūsangen-dō

Sanjūsangen-dō (in giapponese: 三十三間堂) è un tempio buddhista si

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Ōtsu, Shiga

is the capital city of Shiga, Japan.

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Uji, Kyoto

is a city on the southern outskirts of the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kyoto National Museum

کیوتو قومی عجائب-گھر  جاپان دے پرمکھ کلا عجائبگھراں وچوں اک اے۔ ای

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tō-ji

Tō-ji (東寺, Tō-ji) is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect in Kyoto

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kyoto Railway Museum

The Kyoto Railway Museum (京都鉄道博物館, Kyōto Tetsudō Hakubutsukan) (

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market (, Nishiki Ichiba) (literally 'brocade market') is a

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower (French: Tour Eiffel, ]) is a 19th century iron

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Asansör

Asansör (Turkish for 'elevator', derived from the French word

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Wasserturm Luzern

卢塞恩水塔(Wasserturm)位于瑞士卢塞恩卡贝尔桥的中间,曾是该市中世纪城墙的一部分,现在是该市的地标。

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kärnan

Kärnan (Swedish pronunciation: ]; Danish: Kernen, both literally

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tokyo Skytree

is a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo,

See all similar places