Day 49 Kyoto Station Skyway 3 March 2026

Описание: Kyoto Station’s Hidden Rooftop, Endless Escalators, and a Comforting Dinner

I was too tired to explore more of Osaka, so I headed back to Kyoto. Earlier that morning, I had noticed Isetan, the large department store attached to Kyoto Station. It used to be one of my favourite stores when I lived in Singapore, so I decided to pop in for a quick look when I returned.

Like most Japanese department stores, Isetan is beautifully organised and impeccably clean. The directory showed 11 floors of shopping, food, and lifestyle delights. I took the lift straight to the top, and to my surprise, I stepped out onto a rooftop terrace with a sweeping view of Kyoto.

Had the weather been better, the view would have been spectacular. Even through the drizzle, I could make out the mountains surrounding the city and the silhouette of Kyoto Tower.

From the rooftop, I discovered something I hadn’t expected at all: the Kyoto Station Skyway, a long elevated glass walkway that stretches across the upper levels of the station building.

It runs along the 11th floor, connecting the north and south sides of the station. The walkway offers panoramic views of the city through floor‑to‑ceiling windows. On clear days, you can see all the way to Higashiyama and beyond.

Even in the rain, it was impressive - a quiet, airy corridor floating above the station’s bustle.

Then came the next surprise: a dramatic series of escalators descending all the way down to the main concourse. On one of the mid‑levels (around the 4th or 6th floor), there is a huge open-air staircase known as the Grand Staircase, complete with a stage at the bottom.

At night, the steps light up with changing LED patterns, forming pictures, words, and seasonal designs. It’s one of Kyoto Station’s most unique features and truly, only in Japan would a train station double as an architectural attraction.

I stood for a while watching the lights shift and ripple across the steps. It felt unexpectedly magical.

I wandered slowly through the station, eventually making my way to the basement for a bit of window shopping. Japanese shops are so beautifully presented, everything neat, elegant, and thoughtfully arranged. It was a pleasure just browsing, something I haven’t done in a long time.

Then I drifted into the food hall, and the aromas instantly stirred my appetite. I found a small eatery serving gyoza, so I stepped in and ordered a plate, along with a dish of fried pork and a cup of jasmine tea. The meal was simple but delicious - warm, comforting, and perfect after a long, rainy day.

It was the perfect end to a grey, drizzly day in Japan - quiet, cosy, and full of small discoveries.