Directly connected to Kyoto Station above the Shinkansen platforms, Hotel Granvia offers unbeatable transport convenience with comfortable, well-appointed rooms. Multiple restaurants including teppanyaki and French, a fitness center, and a sky-high bar with city views make this an excellent base for travelers using Kyoto as a hub for day trips.
Hotel Granvia Kyoto is built directly into the structure of Kyoto Station's main tower, rising above the Shinkansen platforms and connected by an internal walkway to the station's central concourse. For travellers using Kyoto as a base for day trips to Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, or onward journeys on the Shinkansen network, this transport integration is unmatched by any other hotel in the city: checking out and boarding a bullet train require nothing more than a walk through the station building. The hotel is operated by West Japan Railway Hotels, making it the flagship JR station hotel in the Kansai region.
The hotel occupies the upper floors of the Kyoto Station Tower, a landmark contemporary structure by architect Hiroshi Hara that opened in 1997. Its elevated position gives rooms on the north side sweeping views toward central Kyoto and the northern mountain ridge; rooms on the south face the Toji pagoda and Fushimi area. The 536 rooms and suites are finished in a clean, business-hotel style with reliable comfortable beds and good desk space. The hotel serves a broad mix of corporate travellers, tour groups, and independent visitors; the scale and location make it one of Kyoto's most reliably available hotels even at short notice during peak seasons.
Dining is a notable strength of the Granvia portfolio. Multiple restaurants across the building serve teppanyaki, French cuisine, Japanese set meals, a café, and a high-floor bar with city panoramas. Shinkansen-connected guests often use the bar at the end of a travel day for its convenience and views. Breakfast in the main dining room is buffet-format with extensive Japanese and Western options and is frequently cited as a highlight by guests.
A fitness centre is available to guests. The concierge team assists with booking Kyoto city tours, temple tickets, and transportation arrangements. Bus and taxi connections to all of Kyoto's major sightseeing areas operate from the bus platforms directly below the hotel within the station precinct.
Amenities
- multiple restaurants
- bar
- fitness center
- wifi
- concierge
- convenience store access
Location
JR Kyoto Station, 901 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216
34.9858, 135.7588 View on map
Highlights
- Directly connected to Kyoto Station — Shinkansen and city buses depart from the building below
- High-floor city-view bar and multiple restaurants including teppanyaki and French dining
- North-facing rooms with panoramic views toward central Kyoto and the mountain ridge
- 536 rooms with high availability, including during Kyoto peak travel seasons
- Operated by West Japan Railway Hotels — the flagship JR station hotel in Kansai
Tips for visiting
- Book a north-facing room on an upper floor for views toward the city centre and the Higashiyama ridge
- The station bus platforms below the hotel connect to all major Kyoto sightseeing areas, including Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji
- The buffet breakfast is extensive and popular — arrive before 08:00 to avoid queues during peak season
- Last-minute availability is better here than most Kyoto hotels during cherry blossom and autumn foliage peaks
- The in-hotel convenience stores and Kyoto Station's food hall are directly accessible without going outside
Accessibility
Hotel Granvia Kyoto is one of the most accessible hotels in Kyoto. The entire building is lift-served with wide doorways, roll-in shower rooms available on request, and step-free internal connections to the Kyoto Station concourse. The station itself is fully accessible with lifts and escalators to all platforms.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I walk between my room and the Shinkansen platform without going outside?
Yes. Hotel Granvia Kyoto is internally connected to Kyoto Station's main concourse; guests can access the Shinkansen gates, bullet-train platforms, and city bus terminal without leaving the building.
Is the hotel good for day trips to Osaka or Nara?
The station connection makes it ideal for day trips. Osaka (Shin-Osaka) is 15 minutes by Shinkansen; Nara is 45 minutes by JR Nara Line from the same station; Hiroshima is under 90 minutes on the Nozomi Shinkansen.
What dining options are in the hotel?
Hotel Granvia Kyoto has multiple in-house restaurants: a teppanyaki grill, a French restaurant, a Japanese dining room, a lobby café, and a high-floor bar serving cocktails with panoramic city views. A buffet breakfast is available in the main dining room each morning.
Is it a good base for sightseeing around Kyoto?
Kyoto Station is the hub for city buses to every major sightseeing area. The station's bus platforms directly below the hotel serve Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Gion, and Higashiyama, making it a practical base even though it is in the southern part of the city.