Kyoto Ramen Koji, All Ramen Noodle Floor!

Arrive at Kyoto before/around Noon?

Enjoy quick lunch at Kyoto station.

There are many restaurants here and there at Kyoto station, but almost all are fully packed during lunch time, you would be feeling exhauted to see a long queue.

Are you interested in "Ramen Noodle"? I think Ramen restaurant is the best choice to have a quick lunch.

We Japanese like Ramen very much. :)

There is a famous floor at Kyoto station, all about
"Ramen" restaurants called "Ramen-Koji (street)"
(京都拉麺小路).

It's on 10th floor of Kyoto Isetan Department Store. There are 7 different Ramen restaruants along with a coffee cafe. Each restaurant is featured with famous Ramen Brand throughout Japan like from Sapporo in Hokkaido through Hakata in Kyushu.
(open 11am - 22pm, last order is 21:30pm)

Sumire (すみれ) from Sapporo

Featured Soup - Miso ・・・　Thick Soup from fish, pork bone and vegitables
Recommend : Miso Ramen - 900yen  Click

TETSU (つけめんTetsu) from Tokyo

Featured Soup - Special Dipping Type ・・・　Pork bone based thick soup mixed with Bonito based fish broth.

Enjoy rich flavor of fish! Soup and noodle is served separately. Dip the noodle into the soup and eat.
Recommend: Hiyamori - 800yen  Click

I like "Tonkotsu Ramen", so I've tried Hakata Ikkousha(博多一幸舎) before starting the tour.

The soup is milky and smooth with a strong Tonkotsu flavor. It doesn't contain any raw smell of the pork, and they will only use the pork’s bones to boil the soup without the fat.

This is Ajitama-Negi-Chashu-Men 1050yen. Served with 4 pcs of very soft sliced pork called "Chash". You can order "Negi-Chashu-Men" without egg if you don't like egg.

With Australian couple

With Italian couple

Before join the queue, you need to buy the ticket in advance.  

(You can use only 1000yen bill, not 5000yen or 10,000yen bill)

Elevator of department store is very crowded, so why don't you enjoy taking open-air stairs just next to the building to go up onto the 10th floor.

Dai-Kaidan (big stairs) of Kyoto Eki-Bilu

This huge stairs is one of the MUST attraction to enjoy the view of the whole Eki-Bilu, kyoto station building! :)

Enjoyed your food? Okay, now let's start the tour from Kyoto station!! Where would you like to go? :)

Kyoto Carry Service! Drop your luggage! Start the tour right away!

Do you know "Baggage Room Service" in Kyoto station? Very convenient service to drop your luggage like coin locker!

Especially if you arrive at Kyoto station at around noon or in the afternoon, I always recommend to drop your luggage at Kyoto station and start the tour right away.

Because Kyoto station is the perfect place to depart for any popular sightseeing place. Save your time to come all the way to your hotel just to check-in!

No need to walk throughout the station searching an available locker one by one, you should get lost easy!!! :(  Why don't you say Good-Bye to your heavy luggages and start the tour right away! :)

Where is "Baggage Room (Carry Service)"

Arrive by Shinkansen?
Exit via the Shinkansen "Central Exit", turn right and walk straight through "Nanboku-Jiyu-Tsuro, or (North-to-South Pedestrian Walkway on 2nd floor)" toward north part of the station (directions for Kyoto Tower). Right before take downstairs turn right, passing through "Mister Donut" cafe in the right and go downstairs.

Arrive by Haruka Express from Kansai Airport?
Exit via the JR Central Exit.

You'll be reached at the "Concourse". In front of green ticket center of JR train, you will find this sign board.

Take the descending escalator and turn left on 1st basement, there is the office for "Baggage Room(Carry Service)". Write your name on the given receipt.

Price: 410yen per luggage
(not accept if over 30kg nor 2meter in length)

Time: 8:00am to 20:00pm
(go back by 8pm, otherwise the office is closed)

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If your hotel is offering a "satellite concierge service", you'd better to ask it. Your hotel has a shuttle bus service to carry you/your luggages to your hotel. The reception counter desk is near from Hachijoguchi Shinkansen exit in the south of Kyoto station.
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Now enjoy your tour!!! :)

Kyoto Station Building

When you arrive at Kyoto station you would be amazed how the station is gigantic and unique architecture. It was rebuilt in 1997 to commemorate Kyoto's 1200th anniversary. When I've visited the station for the first time since it's changed, I felt almost shocking how the station was rebuilt into modern structures!!!  

 But while I keep visiting at the station to start the tour, I've right away attracted by its special mood this huge complex's projecting... yes, very international and full of nice attractions! We usually call it "Kyoto Eki Biru", or Kyoto Station Building, because it's a huge complex including a hotel, department store, musical theater, and lot's of restaurants and shopping stores!!

I don't know why but always get so excited right after I step into the Kyoto station. maybe it's because I feel as if I were in the airport to start my own travelling for overseas...while watching the many people from different countries in a  backpack or with a big suitcase walk in the station, just like a scramble crossing,  about to leave the station or just arrived and started to take a picture of Kyoto tower in a big smile. Everybody looks so happy and excited!! :)  I love those atmosphere...

Kyoto station is not only the place making you so excited, but very convenient "hub" to start the tour for anywhere. Why don't you start the private tour with me from this wonderful Kyoto station?