Getting to Know the Kyoto International Conference Center
Welcome, and congratulations on your upcoming business meeting or conference in Kyoto. The Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto) opened in May 1966 on the shores of Lake Takaragaike. Designed by architect Sachio Otani, the building is known for its distinctive form combining trapezoids and inverted trapezoids. In December 1997, it hosted the Kyoto Conference on Climate Change (COP3), the meeting at which the Kyoto Protocol — the international framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions — was adopted.
The venue sits in the Takaragaike area with views of Mt. Hiei, and is served by Kokusaikaikan Station, the northern terminus of the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, about a 5-minute walk away. Built around the Main Hall, it also includes the Event Hall, New Hall, and Annex Hall, along with numerous meeting rooms, supporting everything from international conferences and academic conventions to exhibitions.
This guide covers how to get to ICC Kyoto, where to stay, dining options nearby, and points worth knowing before your visit — including an upcoming closure in August 2026 for electrical equipment inspection.
How to Get to the Kyoto International Conference Center
ICC Kyoto can be reached by train, limousine bus, or taxi. Below are the access routes from Kansai International Airport, Osaka Itami Airport, and Kyoto Station.
From Kansai International Airport
- JR Limited Express “Haruka” + Karasuma Line subway: approx. 80 min to Kyoto Station (non-reserved seat, ¥3,060 as of April 2026), then approx. 20 min via the Karasuma Line subway (no transfer) to Kokusaikaikan Station
- Limousine bus (Keihan Bus) + Karasuma Line subway: approx. 88 min from Terminal 1 (approx. 99 min from Terminal 2) to Kyoto Station’s Hachijo exit (¥2,800 as of May 2026), then approx. 20 min via the Karasuma Line subway
From Osaka Itami Airport
- Limousine bus (Hankyu Kanko Bus) + Karasuma Line subway: approx. 50–55 min to Kyoto Station’s Hachijo exit (¥1,340 for adults), then approx. 20 min via the Karasuma Line subway
From Kyoto Station
- Karasuma Line subway: approx. 20 min, no transfer
- Taxi: approx. 30 min under normal traffic conditions
From the Nearest Station to ICC Kyoto
- Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, Kokusaikaikan Station (northern terminus): from the ticket gate, use the underground passage to Exit 4-2; from there, follow the covered walkway to the main entrance without getting wet. Approx. 5-min walk
- Kyoto City Bus / Kyoto Bus, “Kokusaikaikan-mae” stop: approx. 5-min walk
Kokusaikaikan Station is the terminus of the Karasuma Line, so there’s no risk of overshooting your stop — a convenient feature for first-time visitors. Note that Exit 4-2 is only accessible between 7:00 AM and 10:30 PM; outside those hours, use Exit 3 instead (confirmed via a nearby hotel’s official access guide).
Venue Summary
- Official name: Kyoto International Conference Center (known as ICC Kyoto)
- Address: 422 Iwakura Ozagi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan 606-0001
- Nearest station: Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, Kokusaikaikan Station (Exit 4-2, approx. 5-min walk)
- Official website: Official website
- Inquiries: Check the official website for the latest contact details
- Opening hours: Vary by event. Closed August 10 (Mon) – August 16 (Sun), 2026 for electrical equipment inspection. Check the official website for the latest information
Event Facilities at the Kyoto International Conference Center
ICC Kyoto is built around the Main Hall, together with the Event Hall, New Hall, and Annex Hall, plus banquet rooms and numerous meeting rooms.
| Facility | Capacity / Scale | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Main Hall | 1,840 fixed seats / 400 schoolroom-style, 2,040 m² | 15.0 m ceiling height (14.0 m over the stage area). The 1st-floor 800 seats use 4-person tables |
| Event Hall | 2,500 theater-style / 1,000 schoolroom-style, 3,000 m² | Multi-purpose hall for exhibitions and large-scale events |
| New Hall | 1,600 theater-style / 960 schoolroom-style, 2,000 m² | 730 seats in round-table configuration |
| Annex Hall | 1,200 theater-style / 600 schoolroom-style, 1,500 m² | Divisible into two sections via movable partitions. Has its own lobby and entrance, suited to exhibitions and receptions |
| Sakura Banquet Room | 300 round-table seats / 500 reception guests, 805 m² | |
| Swan Banquet Room | 140 long-table seats / 300 reception guests, 540 m² | |
| Japanese Garden | Up to 2,000 guests, approx. 20,000 m² | Available for outdoor garden-party receptions |
The venue also offers numerous small and medium meeting rooms, including Room A (950 m², 520 theater-style seats), Rooms B-1/B-2, C-1/C-2, D, E, F–K, and Rooms 101–104 and 157. Capacity and floor area vary by room — see the official facilities page for details. For total capacity when using the entire facility, Japan National Tourism Organization’s (JNTO) MICE-support information states the venue can accommodate large-scale events of over 10,000 attendees (we were unable to confirm equivalent wording directly on ICC Kyoto’s own website).
Opened in 1966, ICC Kyoto was designed by architect Sachio Otani, known for its distinctive form combining trapezoids and inverted trapezoids. Making the most of its location overlooking Lake Takaragaike, the Japanese Garden incorporates the lake as “borrowed scenery,” and is designed so that, viewed from its lookout point, the building and Mt. Hiei appear to align in height.
Regarding closures: the official website’s notices page confirms ICC Kyoto will be closed from Monday, August 10 through Sunday, August 16, 2026, for electrical equipment inspection. Outside this period, the venue remains in normal operation as of 2026. See the official notices page for the latest closure and renovation information.
Recommended Hotels Near the Kyoto International Conference Center
ICC Kyoto sits in the mostly residential Takaragaike area, where hotel options are limited. Below are five options, from an on-site lodging facility to hotels near Kyoto Station (about a 20-minute subway ride away).
The Lodge at ICC Kyoto
An on-site lodging facility operated directly by ICC Kyoto, located within the venue grounds east of the Event Hall. It has 30 rooms in total (24 Western-style, 4 deluxe Western-style, 2 Japanese-style), with check-in at 4:00 PM and check-out at 10:00 AM — convenient for early setup, late-running events, or speakers needing a private waiting room.
The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike, Autograph Collection
About a 3-minute walk from Kokusaikaikan Station’s Exit 4-2 (about 7 minutes from the main exit). A luxury hotel adjoining Takaragaike Park, part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection.
Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Directly connected to the JR Kyoto Station building. Reachable from Kokusaikaikan Station via the Karasuma Line subway with no transfer, approx. 20 min.
THE THOUSAND KYOTO
A luxury hotel about a 2-minute walk from Kyoto Station’s central exit, reachable from Kokusaikaikan Station via the Karasuma Line subway with no transfer.
Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo
About a 2-minute walk from Kyoto Station’s Hachijo exit. Reachable from Kokusaikaikan Station via the Karasuma Line subway with no transfer, approx. 20 min.
Recommended Restaurants Near the Kyoto International Conference Center
The Takaragaike area around ICC Kyoto is mostly residential, so most dining options are either inside the venue itself or near Kyoto Station, about a 20-minute subway ride away. Below are six picks by genre.
Cafe
NIWA café by MAEDA COFFEE
Located at the center of the main building’s 1st floor, with an open space overlooking the Japanese Garden. Run by the long-established Maeda Coffee, it also offers vegan menu options.
Izakaya
Izakaya Hananomai Kyoto Chuoguchi (Private-Room Seafood Izakaya)
A seafood izakaya within walking distance of Kyoto Station’s central exit, with private rooms available.
Sushi
Kanazawa Maimon Sushi Kyoto Station Porta
A sushi restaurant in the Porta underground shopping area in front of Kyoto Station, serving fresh seafood sourced from Kanazawa.
Ramen
Shinpuku Saikan Main Store
A long-established Chinese-style ramen (chuka soba) specialist founded in 1938, about a 7–8 minute walk from Kyoto Station.
Japanese
Sushi & Washoku Ganko Kyoto Station Building
A Japanese restaurant on the 2nd floor of the East Zone of the Kyoto Station building, serving kaiseki-style courses and sushi made with fresh seafood sourced directly from the market.
Italian
The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo KYOTO
An Italian restaurant on the 10th floor of JR Kyoto Isetan, featuring an open kitchen centered on a wood-fired pizza oven.
Tips Before You Visit
A few ICC Kyoto-specific points worth knowing before your visit.
🚉 Kokusaikaikan Station Is the End of the Line — No Risk of Overshooting
The nearest station, Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line’s Kokusaikaikan Station, is the line’s terminus, so first-time visitors don’t need to worry about missing their stop. From the ticket gate, take the underground passage to Exit 4-2, then follow the covered walkway to the main entrance without getting wet.
🕥 Exit 4-2 Is Only Open from 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM
Kokusaikaikan Station’s Exit 4-2 is only accessible between 7:00 AM and 10:30 PM. Outside these hours, use Exit 3 instead. Worth checking in advance if you’re attending a late-running event.
🔧 Closed August 10 (Mon) – August 16 (Sun), 2026 for Electrical Equipment Inspection
The official website’s notices page confirms this closure period. If you’re planning a site visit or meeting around this time, check that your dates don’t overlap.
🍽️ In-House Restaurants Now Primarily Serve Conference and Event Attendees
As of the end of May 2026, “The Grill” inside the venue shifted from general walk-in service to primarily serving conference and event attendees. General visitors can only access it on “Open Days” held several times a month, or with an advance reservation (confirmed on the official website). For a casual cafe visit, “NIWA café,” overlooking the Japanese Garden, remains a convenient option.
🌳 A Japanese Garden Framing Lake Takaragaike and Mt. Hiei
The venue’s Japanese Garden incorporates Lake Takaragaike as borrowed scenery, designed so that, from its lookout point, the building and Mt. Hiei appear to align in height. A pleasant option for a stroll or change of scenery between sessions.
🚕 Parking Is Limited and Cannot Be Reserved — The Subway Is the Reliable Option
Taxis are not routinely waiting near the venue, and the south parking lot holds only about 110 vehicles with no reservations accepted. Taking the Karasuma Line subway is a more reliable way to reach the venue than driving.