Kyoto is a city known for its rich cultural heritage and history. It is home to many iconic landmarks and attractions that have been attracting visitors from all over the world for years. However, it is not just heritage and history. Kyoto also combines the new with the old. One of the results is the Daikaidan (Grand Stairs) on top of Kyoto Station. At night, these stairs light up, creating patterns representative of Kyoto and its heritage.

The Daikaidan is a large staircase located on top of Kyoto Station. The staircase has 171 steps and is an impressive sight to behold, with its grand design and intricate details. The famous architect, Hiroshi Hara, the designer of the station, is responsible for the design of the staircase.

The Daikaidan has become famous recently for its illuminations, which take place every evening. The lighting brings out the beauty of the staircase and highlights its intricate details. The colours used in the illumination change every season, which makes it an ever-changing and unique experience.

One of the best times to visit the Daikaidan is during the winter months when the illuminations are at their best. The colours used during this time are usually white and blue, which give the staircase a mesmerizing glow. The illumination starts at 5 pm and lasts until midnight, giving visitors plenty of time to explore the attraction. During the cherry blossom season, many pinks and white are used to create illuminations. Here are some examples:

The stairs go from the 3rd floor to the 8th floor, which is an observatory of Kyoto. You can see the skyline as well as Kyoto Tower from here.

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