When you travel with your kids, you would wonder what is fun for kids there and how easy to get around the place with them.
Especially if they are still really young, you need a place for changing diapers and would like to bring a stroller.
Kyoto is one of the most attractive cities in Japan as there are a plenty of historical and cultural sites. While adults are fascinated by those traditional scenery, what can kids enjoy in the city??
Before you go, check the list below introducing how to enjoy Kyoto both for adults and with your kids, and refer the indexes which helps you to plan your family trip.
*** Stroller accessibility : How much you can see in the attraction with a stroller
A : You can explore the entire site with your stroller
B : You sometimes need to fold or leave your stroller
C : The ground is partly covered with pebbles or gravel
D : The combination of B&C and a stroller is not really recommended
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Stroller accessibility : D
The most popular sightseeing site in Kyoto, where numerous numbers of red Torii gates are lining up all the way to the top of the mountain.
The highlight, called Senbon Torii, where beautiful Torii gates are standing close to each other, is accessible with stroller, but you must take a roundway. So the best way is to leave your stroller at a building called “Sanshuden”, which is located just beside the main gate (it’s an old restaurant / accommodation for visitors), paying 300 yen.
The main hall is accessible with a stroller from the entrance gate where JR Inari station is located.
The path is covered with more or less pebbles as well as other temples and shrines.
If your kids are enough old to be ready for a little hike, walking up to the peak is a good idea. It takes about 1.5 hour (maybe longer with kids) but it’s never steep. Otherwise just check out the highlight (Senbon Torii gates) and come down as kids are not so patient to see similar looking gate scenery so long.
There is a changing station in a toilet near the main gate, the same room as the wheelchair users.
Kiyomizu temple
Stroller accessibility : B
One of the biggest and oldest temples in Kyoto, where a big temple stage is well known (and it’s just finished restoration in 2020 Feb ). Though some parts have a little steep slopes in the temple and the way to the temple is pretty steep, it’s basically covered with asphalt or stone tiles.
As the nearest bus stop is 700 m away and the station is another 700 m further and it’s all the way up slope, don’t hesitate to take a taxi, especially in hot summer.
You need to leave or fold your stroller to see the inside of the main hall and Jishu shrine (a shrine for love), but otherwise you can be on the temple stage with your stroller and get around the temple most.
Also at one Japanese hair accessary store, Wargo, on Kiyomizuzaka slope, they have a storage service and you can leave your stroller there with 500 yen.
There is a changing station at toilets in the temple, beside the ticket stand and Otowa waterfall.
From the temple to Gion, slopes called Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are nice to see stores, where many types of souvenirs are sold. Just be careful when you go down as it’s really steep, and also there are some stairs on those slopes.
Gion
Stroller accessibility : C
A fabulous geisha district in the center of Kyoto city.
It’s basically streets where you can enjoy the scenery of the old town even with stroller. The paths are covered with stone tiles, which look beautiful but could be a bit troublesome for strollers.
Maruyama park, located in the end of Shijo street (beside Yasaka shrine, is enough big to let your kids run around.
If you need a changing station, find Takashimaya Department store near Kawaramachi station. The store has a comfortable changing room and enough spacious breast-feeding room.
Nishiki market
Stroller accessibility : B
If you would like to know what Kyoto people eat, visit this Nishiki market. Nowadays some new stores sell sushi and wagyu beef to tourists, but what you should’t miss is local Kyoto food such as quails and carp (koi fish) though you might feel a bit challenging (actually they are good).
This is an ideal place to grab something to eat and kids also would find something to eat they like.
The market is one street covered with an arcade so that you don’t have to worry about rain. Also there are 2 more shopping streets covered with arcades nearby, which are easy to walk.
The problem is the street is pretty narrow and each shop is quite small, so stroller might make you difficult to get into some stores.
Changing station is difficult to find on the market but just go to Daimaru department store near Karasuma station or Takashimaya beside Kawaramachi station, which have comfortable restrooms with changing stations and breastfeeding room.
Nijo castle
Stroller accessibility : C
The most historic castle in Japan, which shogun Tokugawa family owned between 17th and 19th century.
The ground of the castle is basically covered with sand and pebble and strollers are not allowed to bring into Ninomaru palace, so it’s better to leave your stroller at the entrance (the main information center), paying 300 yen.
Breastfeeding room and changing stations are in the big rest place where you also find a cafe and souvenir shop.
Golden Pavilion
Stroller Accessibility : D
The most gorgeous temple in Japan, originally founded by a shogun Ashikaga in 14th century.
Strollers can reach the golden pavilion to see the marvelous scenery, and an old pine tree which the shogun planted (which means 600 years old), and a small waterfall with a carp shaped rock (you need some imagination though). But after the waterfall, you reach stairs part, so you must either fold your stroller or turn back to the entrance, while basically visitors all have to get around the temple by one way.
The path is mainly covered with pebble, and it’s not so comfortable to go on such a way though it’s pretty flat all the way. And here the problem is there is no storage for strollers, and once you come with a stroller, you can’t leave it anywhere. So if you would like to enjoy only the highlight of the temple, skipping some hassle, just seeing the golden pavilion and returning to the entrance is not a bad idea.
There is no breastfeeding room but changing stations are equipped in a toilet near the bus parking lot.
Arashiyama bamboo grove
Stroller Accessibility : A
The place to see the most beautiful green scenery in Kyoto City.
The most famous part is a bit hilly and it’s about 1km away from the nearest station (JR Arashiyama).
There is another bamboo grove nearby, which is basically used by rickshaw tour but open for everybody. As it’s made for rickshaws, the area is really flat and easy to get around with strollers as well.
Tenryuji temple, the biggest temple in Arashiyama is just beside the entrance of the main bamboo grove, it’s nice to walk through the beautiful garden, where you can enjoy different flowers blooming every season, and the other entrance connects to the main street. The temple garden is covered with pebbles and some stairs, so your stroller must be folded when getting around / through there.
After/Before the bamboo grove, visit the Togetsukyo bridge where you would admire the marvelous mountain and river view of Arashiyama.
Near the bridge you can also rent a small boat to enjoy a river activity.
When you look for a changing station, go back to the main street to find a public facility called “Burari Arashiyama” or Keifuku (Randen) railway Arashiyama station. Those places have a changing station.
Arashiyama monkey park
Stroller Accessibility : D
If your kids love animals, Arashiyama Monkey Park is an ideal place to meet wild monkeys, and you have a chance to feed them (it’s not dangerous as there is a fence between you and monkeys when feeding).
The park is on the mountain and you need to walk up for 20 minutes (or probably longer with kids). It’s no problem to take a rest on the way and get some drink, but wait until the rest house to eat any food, as wild monkeys might show up suddenly and snatch your food and it would be dangerous (generally they don’t come too close to you unless you have food or have eye contact with them).
As this is a mountain and a stroller is not a suitable equipment, leave your stroller at the entrance, where they keep it for you while enjoying the park.
Unfortunately there is no changing station in the park, so it’s better to get ready on the main street (Burari Arashiyama or Keifuku/Randen station), where you can find a changing room, before entering the park.
Hozu River boat cruise
If you would like to avoid walking too much with kids, Hozu River boat cruise is an option to enjoy the beautiful nature of Arashiyama.
The boat is a traditional one which was originally used for transporting products but now it’s used for tourist attraction. They use new boats nowadays but the way they row hasn’t changed since 17th century. Some points have rapids but you’ll never be thrown out of the boat, so don’t worry to bring your kids.
The boat trip starts from near JR Kameoka station, and you have 2 choices of trains to get there, JR or Torokko (Sagano scenic railway). It’s better to book a ticket if you take Torokko, which gives you a beautiful panoramic scenery during the journey.
The boat is a really classic one, and the trip takes about 2 hours without toilet break (depending on the river condition), so get ready for the 2 hours trip at the boat station.
The end of the trip is Togetsukyo bridge near Arashiyama main street and you will not return to the starting point, so load your stroller on the boat, folding it.
If you feel 2hours is too long but would like to access to the river, Arashiyama offers a boat rental service near Togetsukyo bridge.
Imperial Palace / Garden
Stroller Accessibility : C
The former imperial palace where the imperial family lived until 19th century. Visitors used to need a booking to visit the inside of the palace but now it’s open without booking.
The problem is the ground is basically covered with pebble and gravel in the palace (outer paths in the garden are ok), so it’s pretty tough to get around with a stroller. To see around the palace, you can leave your stroller at the entrance.
Nakadachiuri Rest House located in the west part of the garden is equipped with a toilet with a changing station and breastfeeding room. If the breastfeeding room is locked, just ask a staff to open it.
Ninja dojo
If your kids are 5 years old and as active as you, why not joining a ninja training lesson ?
Ninja Dojo is a place where you can learn how to swing ninja sword, how to walk as a ninja (nobody would hear you coming close !!) and how to throw shuriken etc,, and kids are allowed to join if one adult join the lesson.
They also sell many types of ninja items so it’s a good place to find Japanese souvenirs as well (keeping those items in your check-in luggage is recommended because the custom clearance might take it away even though those tools cannot really cut anything and it’s never dangerous).
There is no changing station in this place so just go back to Shijo street to find mall buildings called Cocon or Laque if your small babies need a changing space.
Uzumasa Toei Kyoto Studio Park
This studio park is an actual location where many samurai movies are shot.
You can rent a kimono here and stroll in the town from samurai era so that you would be able to walk like a real samurai / ninja/ princess.
The park has a lot of attractions, such as a ninja show with projection mapping, ninja house with a lot of tricks, haunted house, maze house etc, so kids have a lot to do here.
Changing stations are spotted in the park and also a breastfeeding room is equipped near the entrance, so it’s easy to stay in the park with kids for a long time.
There are numerous places to visit in Kyoto, and it takes a lot of time to move from one site to another.
And many temples / shrines /gardens are difficult to get around with a stroller as explained above, but sometimes you can find a place to leave your stroller and basically Japanese people are kind to help you, especially when you trave l with kids. You still have a chance to see so many attractive scenery in this ancient capital.
So don’t hesitate but just enjoy your trip !
tokie
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