Going to Kyoto Animation

If you are ever in Kyoto, and you really really have nothing better to do (which I doubt as there are just so many things to do in Kyoto), you can stop by and take a look at one of the most revered studios around - Kyoto Animation. Its actually very easy to get to, especially when you are heading to Uji to take a look at the Byodo-in temple.

Kyoto Animation is actually made up of many different offices and studios located all around Kyoto. I decided to just visit the main one as it was the easiest one to get to.

To get to the main office, you have to catch a local line train on the JR Nara line from the Kyoto JR station. This means you cannot catch the special limited express train, which only has around 5 stops until it gets to Nara, meaning it skips many stations, and unfortunately, if you want to go to Kyoto Animation, you cannot take this. However, if you want to check out Byodo-in, you can take this special limited express train. I will talk about that in a later post.

Once you ride the train for around 20 minutes or so, get off at Kohata station. Yes, Kohata. I actually had a few laughs seeing this name, more than a coincidence perhaps?

Now, unlike the episode in Lucky Star, Kyoto Animation is just next to the JR Kohata station. I suspect the characters took the Keihan line, which runs pretty closely to the JR line, but you would have to walk a fair distance. Anyway, once you get out of the Kohata station, turn to your left and you should see this:

Notice that there are some people outside of the building. Apparantly there were 3 people with ’sugoi’ SLR cameras taking pictures of that yellow building. It’s good to know that I’m not the only crazy person who would make this pilgrimage.
Now, walk towards the yellow building. Congratulations, you are now at the main office of Kyoto Animation!

Here’s a couple of screen shots from Lucky Star for comparison.

This place, despite being next to a train station is very quiet. When I went there, there were hardly any people, cars or buses. So I guess what Konata said was true - that they like being located in quiet places so they can concentrate and produce awesome stuff that they do!

Travel Details - How to get there
Line: JR Nara line
Service: Local Service only
Station: Kohata （木幡）
Cost: 230 yen
Time: Around 20 minutes