Kyoto Porta — Local services in Kyoto

Extremely busy place with lots of food and retail outlets. This underground shopping mall has walkways that connect to the Kyoto train station and to many other shopping malls, food courts, etc. Hence, there is endless human traffic and long queues outside shops.

The area is extremely safe. I don't know what the patrolling security robots do. It is however easy to get lost because of the extensive network of walkways.

But ordinary Japanese and staff of JR Train are very helpful. They will show you the direction, even though they speak only Japanese. Just ask politely with the usual Japanese bow to say thank you. There are also helpful information counters where staff speak English and some other languages.

Plenty of Japan high standards of clean toilets around. Menus on restaurants have English versions. In some restaurants, they even have French, Arabic, Spanish etc...

I'll start with, I'm not much of a shopper when it comes to most malls or similar places.

So, approaching this as a review of what Porta is designed for, it's a standard place but with great qualities. It's located directly outside of and beneath the Kyoto train station, which makes it supremely convenient for anyone staying at the Hotel Granvia or any other close to the station hotels. The atmosphere is bustling as soon as the stores open, and the dining selection varies just enough for competition, and selection. Of course, the main part of the general shopping stores are very stylish, trendy, and niche! An excellent mall to swing through if you're looking for some new clothes, or just have some spare time...

Guys, there is no point in going for clothes shopping here, it's all for the ladies. Same goes for the cube which is another close underground mall. There is a good choice of resteraunts however and a few cafes here for drinks and snacks. Several of which are good. No provision for smokers, you need to go above ground and use one of the dreadful smoking booths. There are a few other shops such as drug store and book shop. Personally I use Porta as a way to move around when...