Randen Arashiyama Station Center — Local services in Kyoto

GLAMOROUS Co. Ltd. helped renovate Randen Arashiyama Station about 10 years ago using sustainable materials and lighting. It has become a popular destination station and has helped bolster the local economy. After the success of the station renovation, GLAMOROUS was asked to redesign the platform area to engage travelers even more.

Inspired by Kyoto’s unique brand of kimono cloth artistry as well as the idea of a bamboo forest, the GLAMOROUS team devised a way to use the beautiful fabric as a placemaking element. The concept is that of a “forest” of lanterns softly illuminating the platform and walkway leading to it. Instead of using bamboo, the team wrapped a collection of light poles with hand-dyed Yusen kimono cloth, creating a soft and colorful warm light. The Yuzen cloth was covered with an acrylic finish to protect it from weather conditions. The team chose 16 patterns from hundreds. The result is a welcoming and memorable placemaking element for the everyday commuters who...

The Small Trains on the Keifuku Arashiyama Line connect Arashiyama with Omiya Station at the intersection of Shijo Street and Omiya Street in central Kyoto (20 minutes, Last I Went Was 220 yen). Keifuku Railways also provides access to Kitanohakubaicho Station in...

Beautiful place to do one-day tourism. Only one brief point for enhancement: personnel in the "Information help desk" didn't know almost nothing of English, I had to use mobile translator for 15 minutes to made me understand about...