Landmarks · 4 min read
Nidec Kyoto Tower: Hours, Tickets and the View
Nidec Kyoto Tower faces Kyoto Station. Observation deck hours, ticket prices, wheelchair access, what you can see and how to get there.
By Todokyoto · Updated November 3, 2026
Nidec Kyoto Tower stands across from Kyoto Station, in Shimogyo Ward. Its observation deck is 100 metres up and gives a view over the city, which the tower describes as the highest in Kyoto. The tower took the Nidec name on April 1, 2024, and many signs and maps still say Kyoto Tower. It is a short stop, easy to add on arrival or before a train.
When to Go
The deck is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00, with last admission at 20:30, according to the tower's English site. It notes that hours may change without notice. On August 16 the tower closes earlier, with the deck open from 10:00 to 18:30 and last entry at 18:00.
A daytime visit lets you pick out the temples and the mountains around the city. An evening visit shows the lit city, and the tower itself is normally lit from sunset to midnight, though the tower says that can change. The English page lists these landmarks as visible from the deck: To-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Hongwanji, the Sanmon gate of Tofuku-ji, Sanjusangendo and the Sanmon gate of Chion-in. On clear days the tower says you may glimpse Osaka in the distance. Free telescopes are on the 5th floor deck.
Practical Information
- Hours: 10:00 to 21:00, last admission 20:30. Open every day of the year, per the tower's Japanese page.
- Tickets: adults ¥1,000, high school students ¥800, elementary and junior high students ¥700, children under 6 ¥300, and free for children under 3. Tickets are sold at the ticket office on the 1st floor of the tower building.
- Reservations: the tower's FAQ says only groups can reserve. Individual visitors can walk in without one.
- Time needed: the FAQ says most visitors spend 15 to 30 minutes. There is no time limit once you are on the deck. Re-entry is not allowed.
- Getting there: about a 2-minute walk from the Karasuma Central Gate of JR Kyoto Station. The tower is also connected to the Porta underground mall, and the underground entrance is open from 11:30 to 23:00. There is no parking. See Getting Around Kyoto for how to reach the station by bus and subway.
- Luggage: the tower cannot take bags at the observation entrance. Use coin lockers nearby. Strollers cannot be stored either.
- Accessibility: the deck can be used with a wheelchair. At the 11th floor you change to the observation elevator, where a wheelchair lift (limit 180 kg) is provided. There is no wheelchair-accessible restroom in the observation area. There is one Western-style unisex toilet on the 5th floor of the deck. Assistance dogs are allowed, and the tower asks you to call ahead on 075-361-3215 (weekdays, 10:00 to 17:00).
- Photography and rules: photos are allowed on the deck but not in the elevators. Drones are not allowed. The whole building is smoke-free.
- Wi-Fi: free Wi-Fi is available on the 1st, 4th and 5th floors.
What to See
The View from the Deck
The deck is at 100 metres, and the view takes in the ring of mountains around Kyoto. The tower's Japanese page describes a 360-degree view. Use the 5th floor telescopes to pick out the temples listed above.
The Tower Itself
The tower opened to visitors on December 28, 1964, three days after the building was completed, according to its Japanese site. It stands where the Kyoto Central Post Office once stood. Its white, slender form is modelled on a lighthouse, and the tower says it was built without a steel frame, a first in Japan. This is a good building to see from the station plaza before you go up.
Pairing It with the Rest of the Station Area
The tower sits at the front of the station, so it pairs well with a day that starts or ends there. To-ji is one of the temples visible from the deck. If you arrive from Osaka or Tokyo, see Getting to Kyoto from Osaka or Getting to Kyoto from Tokyo.
Questions Visitors Ask
Is there a closing day?
The tower's Japanese page says it is open every day of the year. Hours can still change, so check the site before a late visit.
Can I go up without a reservation?
Yes. The FAQ says only groups can reserve, and individuals can come without one.
How much time do I need?
Plan 15 to 30 minutes. Stay longer if you want to use the telescopes.
Is there an advance ticket?
The tower's FAQ mentions discounted advance tickets sold online. Check its site for the current price.
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