RAILWAY facilities at a JR West’s rebuilt Kyoto station complex are scheduled to open on July 12, providing interchange between the Tokaido shinkansen, Nara, Kintetsu and Kyoto routes. Within the 16-storey complex, which has some 238000m2 of floor space, a 925-seat festival theatre and two cinemas are due to open on August 9, followed by the 539-bedroom Hotel Granvia Kyoto, JR Kyoto Isetan department store and a shopping mall on September 11.
Designed by Hiroshi Hara + ATELIER F as a transport and social hub, the Kyoto complex is structured around a central concourse with a glass roof, traversed by a pedestrian walkway 45m above the floor. Escalators lead to an exhibition area at the eastern end, and at the western end to a Daikaidan or grand stairway with 171 steps taking the visitor up to a roof garden.
As well as an art gallery, food court, tourist information centre and local government offices, the Kyoto complex incorporates the City Air Terminal for Kansai International Aiport. Passengers and their luggage can complete check-in formalities here before departing on JR West’s Kansai Airport Express (RG 7.94 p437). Parking space for 1250 cars and 1000 bicycles has been provided as part of the development. o
