Kyoto Tower: Tickets, Prices, Timings, What to Expect

Kyoto Tower offers panoramic views of the city with a blend of tradition and modernity. Book your tickets early to enjoy this unique perspective on Kyoto's timeless beauty.

Kyoto 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 (328 feet) 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.

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# Kyoto Tower tickets

It’s highly recommended to book Kyoto Tower tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.

Key takeaways

Booking tickets online is better to avoid long queues, especially during peak seasons.

To avoid the crowd, visit when Kyoto Tower opens at 10 am. You get the best view from the top of the tower during the sunset hours.

Most visitors spend about 60 to 90 minutes exploring the tower. However, you will need at least an hour or two extra if you decide to try any of the restaurants.

What’s ahead

Things to know before booking tickets

You can buy Kyoto Tower tickets online or at the attraction.

Online tickets let you skip the lines, often at a lower price, while also guaranteeing availability for your visit.

After the purchase, tickets are emailed to you, and you can enter by showing the e-ticket on your smartphone—no printouts needed.

Remember to bring your official IDs.

Kyoto Tower tickets

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Image: Thrillophilia.com

With the Kyoto Tower entry ticket, enjoy a full day of exploring this iconic landmark, taking in breathtaking views of Kyoto from the observation deck.

Use the free telescopes to get a closer look at Kyoto’s famous sights, or take a relaxing stroll in the Sky Garden.

For an added treat, stop by the tower’s restaurant to enjoy a meal or drink while soaking in the panoramic scenery.

Ticket Prices

Adult (18+ years): ¥912
Child (6 to 14 years): ¥595
Youth (15 to 17 years): ¥734
Infant (up to 5 years): Free

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Opening hours

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

The last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

Related: Do’s and Don’ts When Visiting Observation Decks

How long does the tour take

Most people spend 60 to 90 minutes exploring the Kyoto Tower.

If you wish to indulge in a meal at one of the restaurants, you’ll need around two more hours.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Kyoto Tower is when it opens at 10 am as the crowd isn’t much.

Another good time for a peaceful visit is around 3 pm when it’s usually not too busy.

You can also reach just before sunset and watch the city transition day to night, painting the skyline in a warm orange glow before the night lights twinkle. However, the sunset hours attract many visitors.

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 are a host of options for casual and 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 or a dinner for approximately ¥3800.

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.

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 open from 12 noon to 9 pm, with the last orders being placed 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’

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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.

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

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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.

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Researched & written by
Jamshed is a versatile traveler, equally drawn to the vibrant energy of city escapes and the peaceful solitude of remote getaways. On some trips, he indulges in resort hopping, while on others, he spends little time in his accommodation, fully immersing himself in the destination. A passionate foodie, Jamshed delights in exploring local cuisines, with a particular love for flavorful non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

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