Saiin Station
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Saiin Station
西院駅
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| Location | |
| Prefecture | Kyoto (See other stations in Kyoto) |
| City | Kyoto |
| Ward | Ukyō |
| History | |
| Year opened | 1928 |
| Former name | Kyoto Saiin Station |
| Year renamed to the present name |
1931 |
| Rail services | |
| Operator(s) | Hankyu Corporation |
| Line(s) | Hankyū Kyoto Main Line |
Hankyu Saiin Station (西院駅 Saiin-eki?) is the 22nd station along the Hankyu Railway Kyoto Line, which departs from Osaka's Umeda Station and terminates at Kyoto's Kawaramachi Station. It is the 4th to last station before reaching Kawaramachi station.
Saiin Station is serviced by local (普通 futsū?), semi express (準急 junkyū?), rapid express (快速急行 kaisoku kyūkō?), and "commuter" limited express (通勤特急 tsūkin tokkyū?) trains, while limited express (特急 tokkyū?) trains do not service the station. The subterranean station is windy, as it has only one entrance, and arriving and departing trains force air up and down the station's narrow pair of staircases.
Many travellers stop at Saiin Station in order to take a the #205 city bus to Kinkakuji and Sai Station (Keifuku Electric Railroad Co., Ltd., written in the same kanji, 西院駅) local train to Arashiyama.
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[edit] Location
Saiin station's singular entrance is situated on the southwest corner of Shijo street and Nishioji street in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Saiin Station is located in Saiin Kōzanji-chō, Ukyō-ku, Kyoto.
[edit] History
Saiin Station opened as Kyoto Saiin Station (京都西院駅 Kyōto-Saiin-eki?) on November 1, 1928. At the time of opening, the station was the terminus of the Shinkeihan Railway, a former operator of the Hankyu Kyoto Line. On March 31, 1931 when the underground extension from Saiin to Keihan Kyoto Station (present-day Ōmiya Station) was completed, the station was moved from the ground level to the underground facilities and renamed Saiin Station.
At the time of the construction, a plan was tabled to link Saiin Station with the smaller and older Sai Station (located 1 minutes walking distance east on Shijo street) by means of an underground path, but the plan was eventually scrapped, due to strong opposition from people living in the area.
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Dining
A variety of quaint restaurants, izakaya, and fast food locations lie within short walking distance of the station. These Fast Food locations include: McDonalds, Mister Donut, Mos Burger, and Yoshinoya
[edit] Retail
A few large retail outlets and a variety of small shops line the streets surrounding Saiin Station. These large retail outlets include: Diamond City Hana, and Joshin Electronics. A 100 yen shuttle bus stops in front of Saiin Station and carries passengers directly to the Diamond City Hana shopping center.
A Watts 100 yen store is located directly above Saiin station's entrance.
[edit] Hotels
In addition, the Rhino hotel[1] is located directly beside Saiin Station and contains the NAS Sports Club (a health club equipped with a pool). The NAS Sports Club is open:
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday - Friday | 10:00 - 23:00 |
| Saturday | 10:00 - 22:00 |
| Sunday - Holidays | 10:00 - 19:00 |
[edit] Historical sites
Kozaiji Temple A small, but beautiful temple is located directly across from Saiin Station, on the north east corner of Nishioji street and Shijo Street, less than 1 minutes walking distance.
Sai Station, a smaller older station (constructed in 1910) on the Keifuku Electric Railroad Co. Arashiyama Line uses romantic old-fashioned trains to shuttle tourists to Arashiyama, a desirable locale with beautiful mountain paths and scenic vistas. The local suttle trains are renowned for their spring time Cherry Blossom viewing tours.
[edit] Gaming
Several Pachinko Parlors (a form of legally tolerated gambling establishment) are located within walking distance of Saiin Station.
[edit] Adjacent stations
| « | Service | » | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hankyu Kyoto Line | ||||
| Katsura | Commutation Limited Express | Omiya | ||
| Limited Express: no stop | ||||
| Katsura | Rapid Express | Omiya | ||
| Nishi-Kyogoku | Semi-Express | Omiya | ||
| Nishi-Kyogoku | Local | Omiya | ||
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