Kyoto Yodobashi is a large department store located to the immediate north of Kyoto Tower. Four floors of this six story building are occupied by the popular electronics chain store, Yodobashi Camera. The rest of the building contains a variety of shops, restaurants, a café, a bookshop and even a British style pub!
Kyoto Yodobashi is situated right behind Kyoto Tower
Kyoto Yodobashi is a great store, but it can be difficult to find your way around as the interior layout is really like a maze, and the excessive quantity of signage can also be confusing. Here’s our floor by floor guide to the best of Kyoto Yodobashi to help you to avoid getting lost.
The B2 supermarket and bakery
Deep down in the second basement level (B2) is a supermarket and bakery. This is a good place to know about if you plan on having a picnic.
Yodobashi Camera
B1 level computers
From the first basement level (B1) up to the 3rd floor, the store interior is occupied by Yodobashi Camera which sells all kinds of reasonably priced electronic consumer goods. On the B1 level you can find mobile phones, computers, computer equipment and stationary.
The terrace on Kyoto Yodobashi’s east side has cafes and an ice cream parlour
Around the exterior of the 1st floor on the department store’s south flank, and the terrace area of the B1 level on its east flank, there is a variety of cafes, restaurants and bars.
The Hub pub is on the exterior of the south west corner of the building
Among the various eateries and drinking spots, the Hub is a British style pub which is very popular with both locals and visitors. It’s a good place to stop for a drink, a chat and a plate of fish and chips. It is open from 12:00 – 24:00 Sunday to Thursday, and 12:00 – 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cameras and camera equipment can be found on the 1st floor
Inside the 1st floor you can find cameras, watches, and health and beauty electronics such as hair dryers, electric shavers and massage chairs.
TV and audio equipment are located on the 2nd floor
On the 2nd floor you can find TV and audio equipment, CD and DVD software, games, bicycles, and musical instruments.
Blenders are on the 3rd floor
The 3rd floor has toys, hobby goods and household electronics. This is where you will find items for the kitchen such as rice cookers, juicers and blenders, coffee makers, bread makers, microwave ovens, and toasters. This level also has indoor and outdoor lighting, and larger household electronics such as air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines.
A variety of clothing stores can be found on the 4th floor
Both the 4th and 5th floors of Kyoto Yodobashi are dominated by fashion boutiques and clothing stores.
Men’s and ladies formal wear can be found on the 5th floor
If you are looking for footwear, suits or sportswear head up to the 5th floor.
Xebio Sports Express on the 5th floor has all kinds of sporting goods and sportswear
The 6th floor of Kyoto Yodobashi has a large section devoted to dining, with many restaurants serving a good mix of Western, Chinese and Japanese style cuisines.
The 6th floor dining section is called “Yodobashi the Dining”
There is also a bookshop, a café, and a travel agency on the 6th floor.
The bookshop on the 6th floor has a selection of English books in section C1
Among the English language books in the bookstore are a number of books on Japan and Kyoto that might make for good souvenirs.
After buying your book, why not stop for coffee?
Parking Facilities:
On the north side of the building you can find the entrance to the car parking area (which has space for 555 vehicles), and parking areas for bicycles and motorbikes. The fees for using the different parking areas are given below.
In the car park, the fee for the first hour is 500 yen. After that you will be charged 250 yen every half an hour. However parking discounts are given according to how much you spend in the store. Customers who spend over 3000 yen, will get one hour of parking for free. Spending 8000 yen will get you 2 hours of free parking, and if you spend 50000 yen, you will get 3 hours of free parking.
Bicycles can be parked on the north side of the building’s 1st floor
Motorcycles can be parked for free for the first 2 hours and then the charge is just 250 yen for 6 hours. Bicycles can also be parked for free for the first 2 hours and then the charge is only 100 yen for 6 hours.
If you happen to be visiting the Kyoto station area by bicycle, then Kyoto Yodobashi is definitely the cheapest and most convenient location in which to park.
Kyoto Yodobashi Location Map
Kyoto Yodobashi is a short walk north of Kyoto Station, right behind Kyoto Tower.
The entrance to Kyoto Yodobashi
Opening Hours
Kyoto Yodobashi is open 365 days a year. Opening hours for Kyoto Yodobashi vary slightly by department and section.
Levels B2 to the 5th Floor: 9:30 – 22:00
6th Floor Travel, Bookstore & Café: 10:00 – 22:00
6th Floor Dining: 11:00 – 23:00
Car parking: 8:00 – 24:00
Bicycles & Motorbike Parking: 8:00 – 23:30
The eateries and bars on the 1st floor and basement levels also all have differing opening hours with the Delifrance bakery and café being the earliest to open at 7:30 am.
Delifrance café on the B1 terrace is open from 7:30 till 22:00
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
