Kyoto Station's Escalator Mountain Climb
Kyoto Station's Escalator Mountain Climb
Overview
In this episode, John Daub explores the architectural marvel of Kyoto Station during Japan's rainy season (tsuyu). Despite the wet weather, he embarks on a climb up the station's famous "Escalator Mountain," a series of long escalators leading to the skyway and roof garden. The video showcases the massive scale of the station's interior, the panoramic views from the top, and the contrast between the bustling interior and the quiet roof.
John provides context on the station's history, noting its completion in 1998 to coincide with the Nagano Winter Olympics, marking a period of technological advancement for Japan. He also offers practical travel advice, such as seating preferences on the Shinkansen (bullet train) for viewing Mount Fuji, and compares the free observation deck at Kyoto Station to the paid Kyoto Tower. Along the way, he encounters Toby (crow), adding a touch of humor to the rainy day exploration.
Highlights
- 00:07 John introduces Kyoto Station and the massive 60-meter ceiling.
- 01:04 The plan to climb "Escalator Mountain" for a view of the city.
- 03:12 Travel tips for the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto.
- 05:25 View of Toji Temple's five-story pagoda from the station roof.
- 06:42 John spots Toby (crow) and explains the difference between Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
- 10:08 History of the station's construction for the 1998 Winter Olympics.
- 10:51 Tip for picnicking with bento boxes from Isetan on the roof.
- 12:02 Comparison of the free station view vs. paid Kyoto Tower.
- 13:07 Observation on the massive staircase alternative to the escalators.
- 15:42 Final recommendation to visit the top of Escalator Mountain.
Timeline / Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction at Kyoto Station entrance.
- 01:04 Beginning the Escalator Mountain climb.
- 03:12 Shinkansen travel context and rainy season discussion.
- 04:32 Reaching the top and encountering stairs/rain.
- 05:25 Roof views: Toji Temple and tourist demographics.
- 06:42 Toby the crow and religious architecture differences.
- 09:16 Bamboo garden on the roof.
- 10:08 Station history and 1998 construction.
- 10:51 Amphitheater area and bento picnics.
- 12:02 Kyoto Tower view and comparison.
- 13:07 The massive staircase challenge.
- 13:51 Cafe areas and people watching.
- 14:47 Descending Escalator Mountain.
- 15:42 Conclusion and next destination (Otsu).
Japan Travel Tips
- Shinkansen Seating: When traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto, sit on the right side of the train for potential views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting).
- Rainy Season: June is the rainy season (tsuyu) in Japan; carry an umbrella or buy one locally for 300–500 yen.
- Free Views: Kyoto Station's roof offers a free bird's-eye view of the city, comparable to paid observation decks like Kyoto Tower.
- Budget Eating: Buy bento boxes at department stores like Isetan inside the station and picnic on the roof amphitheater to save money.
- Station Navigation: Most people get off at the lower floors; few go to the very top, making it a quieter spot for orientation.
Japanese Language & Culture Notes
- Shinkansen (新幹線): Japan's high-speed bullet train network.
- Toji (東寺): A famous Buddhist temple in Kyoto known for its five-story pagoda.
- Shinto vs. Buddhist: John explains that shrines are Shinto (indigenous Japanese religion), while temples are Buddhist. Buddhist temples often feature the manji (swastika-like symbol).
- Manji (卍): A symbol used in Buddhism representing good luck and well-being; distinct from the Nazi swastika.
- Tsuyu (梅雨): The rainy season in Japan, typically occurring in June.
- Yen (円): Japanese currency; umbrellas cost around 300–500 yen.
Food & Drink Guide
- Bento (弁当): Boxed lunch meals available at department stores like Isetan inside Kyoto Station.
- Where: Isetan Department Store within Kyoto Station.
- Price: Variable, described as "a little bit more expensive" but good quality.
- John's Reaction: He loves picnicking with bento boxes on the roof amphitheater, especially in summer.
People
- John Daub: Host and narrator. American living in Japan for over 30 years. Enthusiastic about architecture and travel.
- Toby (crow): A recurring character in John's videos; a crow spotted on the roof making the rainy day better.
- Tourists: Mentioned generally, particularly from Taiwan, China, and Hong Kong, noted by the prevalence of Chinese language heard in the station.
Key Takeaways
- Kyoto Station is an attraction in itself, not just a transit hub.
- The roof of Kyoto Station offers a free, comprehensive view of the city, including Toji Temple and Kyoto Tower.
- The station was built to showcase Japan's technological advances during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
- Even in bad weather, indoor attractions like the station's escalators and roof gardens are worth visiting.
- Picnicking with bento boxes is a cost-effective and enjoyable way to experience public spaces in Japan.
Notable Quotes
- 00:07 "Welcome to Kyoto Station. It is raining, but that's not going to stop me because we have an entire station to explore."
- 01:04 "And we're going to go take a trip to the top of Escalator Mountain."
- 03:12 "You want to sit on the right side of the Shinkansen because that's where you're going to get really epic views of Mount Fuji."
- 06:42 "Toby (crow), thank you brother. Toby is making a rainy day a little bit better."
- 07:30 "Shrines are Shinto. Temples are Buddhist. Temples have these manji or the swastika-looking thing on it."
- 10:08 "The station in itself is an attraction."
- 12:02 "You can go up this escalator for free, right? It doesn't make any sense."
- 13:07 "It's like earning your way to the top. The problem with these stairs is the only thing you earn at the top is like a little bamboo park."
- 14:47 "Most people are getting off at this stop... But not that many people go up to the top. And I think that's a shame."
- 15:42 "So once again, when you're in Kyoto Station, make your way to the top of Escalator Mountain."
Related Topics
- Kyoto Travel Guide
- Japan Train Stations
- Shinkansen Travel Tips
- Japanese Architecture
- Rainy Season in Japan
Search Tags
#only-in-japan-go #kyoto-station #escalator-mountain #shinkansen #kyoto-travel #rainy-season #toji-temple #kyoto-tower #japan-architecture #travel-tips #bento #john-daub
Full Transcript
00:07 John Daub: Welcome to Kyoto Station. It is raining, but that's not going to stop me because we have an entire station to explore. I love this place. It's got one of the most epic ceilings of any train station in the world. It is really high. I'd say like 60 meters up. And the entrance to the trains is right over there. But we're not worried about the trains today. Oh no. Today, it's all about the escalators.
01:04 John Daub: And we're going to go take a trip to the top of Escalator Mountain. There's a nice view up there, by the way. Okay. So I think from the top, we'll be able to get a nice view of the station and maybe of Kyoto. I haven't been up here in years. I made a video about escalators in Japan, and that was the last time I was here. That was about four years ago. So it's nice to revisit an old place.
02:12 John Daub: The air is rare up here. But on a day like this, I'm fine with being inside because it's been raining. I left Tokyo about two and a half hours ago. It's been raining ever since. Oh, slight problem. I forgot about this. So the escalator goes outside when you get to the top. How could I forget about this? Well, it's not raining too hard. I guess we could just go up there and take a quick look. All right, let's go. I'm not going to let a little water stop me. To the top of the mountain we will go. Escalator mountain.
03:12 John Daub: So right now in Tokyo, it is around 10:30 in the morning. I left Tokyo on the 7 a.m. Shinkansen (bullet train). It takes approximately two hours, a little bit over two hours to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. It's a pretty nice trip. You want to sit on the right side of the Shinkansen because that's where you're going to get really epic views of Mount Fuji. Just not on a day like this because today is cloudy, raining. Well, this is a typical June day. June is the rainy season in Japan. So you're probably going to get rain.
04:32 John Daub: Hey, what happened to the escalator? I don't remember this. Stairs? That's not part of this episode. I wasn't counting on stairs. You know what, Rocky? You know, you could climb the art museum steps in Philadelphia. Why don't you come to Kyoto and climb these steps? Because you don't have to even climb. They're escalators. But it is pretty nice up here. I'm going to give you a very, very quick look around before I go back down because I am getting wet. It's pretty cool. So this is the top of Kyoto Station. We are now on the roof. The roof of Kyoto Station.
05:25 John Daub: Let's go look on the backside of Kyoto Station. Then we'll do a quick look around. Oh, the windows are tinted. That's all right. So there's the backside of Kyoto. This is the side that a lot of people don't go to. There's one temple which is very famous. Toji (東寺). It's a five-story pagoda. And you can see this from the Shinkansen. And today from the roof of Kyoto Station. This is maybe the one spot in Kyoto that's not crowded. There's so many tourists down there in the station. Most of the people are from other countries in Asia. Especially Taiwan, China,