Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station (Kyoto-eki) is the most important transportation hub in Kyoto, Japan. It is Japan's largest train station and one of the country's largest buildings, incorporating a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, Isetan department store, and several local government facilities under one fifteen-story roof. It also houses the Kyoto City Air Terminal.
The first Kyoto Station opened for service by decree of Emperor Meiji in 1878. It was replaced by a newer, Renaissance-inspired facility in 1914, which featured a broad square leading from the station to Shichijo Avenue. Before and during World War II, the square was often used by imperial motorcades when Hirohito traveled between Kyoto and Tokyo: the image of Kyoto Station with its giant Rising Sun flags became a well-known image of the imperial era. This station burned to the ground in 1952 and was replaced by a more utilitarian concrete facility by the following March.
The current Kyoto Station opened in 1997, commemorating Kyoto's 1,200-year anniversary. It is 70 meters high and 470 meters from east to west, with a total floor area of 238,000 square meters. Architecturally, it exhibits many characteristics of futurism, with a slightly irregular cubic facade of plate glass over a steel frame. Kyoto, one of the least modern cities in Japan by virtue of its many cultural heritages, was largely reluctant to accept such an ambitious structure in the mid-1990's: the station's completion began a wave of new high-rise developments in the city that culminated with the 20-story Kyocera Building.
Although the West Japan Railway Company owns and operates the station, it also has underground platforms for Kintetsu and Kyoto City Subway trains. JR's trains at Kyoto Station include the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines, and the high-speed Haruka limited express train that goes to Kansai International Airport.
