10 Things to do in Kyoto with Kids

Kyoto is considered a city for adults, due to the variety of historical areas, temples and gardens. However, children do not have to be bored, as the Japanese always offer fun spaces, where the little ones can fall in love with this charming city.

I recommend booking at least 3 days to visit Kyoto, so that you have enough time to enjoy. Some places offer babysitting services, but there is nothing like living this experience as a family and taking advantage of visiting the theme parks, strolling through fun museums or taking a cruise.

There are many activities to do in Kyoto in December, for example you can stroll through the streets and take advantage of the Christmas celebrations. Children are very excited about this time of year and you can celebrate in a different way here.

The best activities in Kyoto during Christmas include:

• Take part in parades and walk the alleys of the most important districts, where the lighting of lights beautifies the city. One of the most important is Chion-in, where Taiko, a Japanese drum rhythm, is played.
• Meet Santa San or Hoteiosho, the equivalents of Santa Claus in Japan. They are animated characters who hand out gifts for children, but their physical appearance resembles that of Buddha.
• Try the Christmas cake, a typical Japanese sweet made with fresh cream, strawberries and a mini Santa Claus.
• Visit the Teijin Christmas market that offers typical drinks and a festive atmosphere. Keep in mind that it attracts thousands of people, so it is advisable not to stay away from the children during the tour.

Additionally, in Japan the predominant religions are Buddhist and Shinto, so beyond a spiritual meaning, these days are commercial. For this reason, stores are usually open throughout the Christmas season. Before Christmas there is a holiday to celebrate the Emperor's birthday, so you can also take advantage of the colorful festivities around.

Kyoto has a variety of parks ideal for going with kids, offering children's areas such as playgrounds, mechanical rides, movie recording studios, ninja experiences and more.

Tour Toei Kyoto Studio Theme Park

A must-visit if you go with kids is to walk around Toei Kyoto Studio theme park, also known as Toei Uzumasa Eigamura or Movie Land, where kids will never get bored. It is very similar to the famous Disney parks, but with the charm of Kyoto. General admission to the park costs about €2.

For starters, you can tour the recording studio, here there are dishes used for Japanese series, movies and documentaries, as many areas are inspired by the Edo period and retain an antique feel.

During the visit, children will feel like they are in a movie, since famous characters roam around the park. You can also find replicas of important buildings or monuments, such as the old Nihonbashi Bridge or parts of the red light district Yoshiwara.

The fun never ends at this park, children can take advantage of the 3D cinemas, ninja re-enactments and the haunted house that offers the best activities in Kyoto during October, such as Halloween celebrations. Other activities include:

• Kimono or yukata rental, to walk around the park, children will surely be excited to be part of this tradition. It has an approximate cost ranging from 7 to 17 €.
• Ninja Maze in 3D, find the exit in record time with the help of your group. It has an approximate price of 3 €.
• Ninja Climbing, children can climb a wall of about 7 meters high. It is an attraction where you can spend from 20 to 40 minutes, for an approximate cost of 9 €.
• House of the Mystery of the Ninjas, ideal for children and adults. You will discover all the secrets of the ninjas for about 4 €.
• Laser Battle, ideal for children over three years old, who will have to sneak out of mysterious traps. The approximate price is 4 €.
• Archery, while the kids are having fun, you can live a Japanese experience for around 3 €. Please note that this activity is only available on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and during the Golden Week from April to May.

Go to Takaragaike Park

The park is located at one end of Lake Takaragaike, hence its name. I recommend visiting this area as a family, since it has a space called Kodomo no Rakuen, which in English is known as the Children's Paradise.

It is an aquatic experience, where outdoor activities are often organized. You can enjoy a picnic for lunch, or take a bike ride along its trails. It is twelve minutes from downtown, but the fastest way to get there is from the Karasuma subway line.

Admission is free and there are playgrounds for children. The best time to visit is during the summer, but if you are traveling with children who are curious about animals, I suggest taking advantage of the best winter activities in Kyoto that include mandarin duck watching.

Take advantage of the swimming pools at Fushimi Minato Park

This family-friendly area offers the best activities during spring and summer, as temperatures are pleasant and you can stroll along the bike paths, or take a dip in the outdoor pools.

Its facilities are spacious and house some of Kyoto's finest temples, imperial palaces and gardens. It's the perfect way to introduce children to Japanese traditions without overwhelming them.

Interact with Japanese macaques at Kyoto Monkey Park

If your family loves animals, you can't miss the Monkey Park experience. To get there you must climb Mount Iwata located near the Arashiyama district. Bring sun protection and comfortable sneakers, as you will have to climb for about twenty minutes to reach the monkey enclosure.

This adventure is one of the best things to do in Kyoto and is included in the itineraries of the most popular tours in the city, as it is a traditional Japanese activity. There are about 120 monkeys that you can feed and the entrance fee is around 4 €.

In Kyoto's districts you will find different types of gift and candy stores, which the kids are sure to love.

Here are the main places to go shopping:

• Teramachi area: it is a shopping street where you can buy typical sweets, souvenirs of the city and manga.
• Yellow Submarine: ideal for buying collectible cards.
• Funahashiya Shop: located in Kyoto since 1885, it is ideal to buy souvenirs and taste the typical Japanese rice cake.
• Yojiya: if you are traveling with teenagers, they will probably be eager to buy Japanese makeup. This cosmetic store has quality products that are very famous on social networks.
• Aeon Mall Kyoto Gojo: if you still haven't found the perfect gift, browse this modern building with more than 140 stores.

In Kyoto there are many interactive museums, ideal for entertaining children. The city not only hides emblematic temples, but also has learning and fun spaces that are ideal for children.

Stroll through the JR West Railway Museum

Children are curious about the unknown, so the JR West Railway Museum is the perfect place for them to explore the 53 trains on display. It is possible to encounter locomotives, electric trains and railroads.

It is located in Umekoji Park and you can take tours, observe antique objects and see toy train circuits that enthrall the little ones. It was formerly the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum. Note that it is closed on Wednesdays and general admission is around €8.

Take a tour of the Kyoto International Manga Museum

The Kyoto International Manga Museum is a space that exhibits more than 300,000 manga and comics. Some volumes are available in English, but you can use your phone' s translator to give the kids the full experience.

There is a courtyard where you can share with the family and enjoy outdoor exhibits. There is also a children's library, where manga have illustrations that do not require reading. Other activities include drawing classes and tours of the facilities.

Admission is around €6 for adults, while children pay an approximate fee ranging from €1 to €3.

Explore samurai history at the Samurai and Ninja Museum in Kyoto

You will be able to travel back in time and learn about the history of Japanese warriors, samurai and ninjas, I assure you that children will spend some quality time in this space. The Samurai and Ninja Museum of Kyoto also preserves armor, clothing and other objects of the time.

You can rent costumes to dress up with the children, there is a variety to choose from, such as swords, ninja or samurai costumes, among others.

Children like new adventures, so I suggest a cruise on the Hozu River until you reach the small port town of Kameoka. During the tour you will enjoy unparalleled views, you will come across birds, fishing areas and boats that sail selling snacks.

During the summer on the Hozu River is organized the Habani Festival, a ritual of fireworks making, whose first edition was in 1733. It is a safe activity, as a professional will explain what to do and children can participate with adult supervision.

Children will probably be curious to see geisha and maiko walking around the city in bright costumes. You can invite them to a cultural experience where they will dress up as authentic Japanese. Keep in mind that during the summer the yukata offers a cooler fabric, while for visiting Kyoto in winter it is better to opt for a kimono.

After touring the city's best temples, your family will surely want to explore other types of environments. I suggest you stop by the Kyoto Aquarium, which offers an immersive and educational experience.

There are areas ideal for learning about marine life, as well as touring the home of penguins, salamanders, jellyfish and other aquatic species. This space offers live animal trainings, whale feeding areas, Japanese food restaurants and souvenir stores.

Each activity is a complete surprise for children, who will be fascinated by the tubular pools filled with animals. General admission is around 15 € for adults. Children from 3 years and older can also enter for around 5 €.

Kyoto Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Kyoto, operating since 1903 and was restored in 2015 to ensure the safety of its facilities. There are areas with contact animals, where children are allowed to approach and interact.

It is an attraction that will take you little time, the entrance fee for adults is around 5 €, children under fifteen are free.

At the Kyoto Youth Science Center there are replicas of dinosaurs, which will capture the attention of children.

You can also find fossils, greenhouses and butterfly gardens. There is a youth science hall and a children's science hall, additionally there are 3D exhibits. Parking is free and the entrance fee is around 4 €.

For children it is very important to feel included in the activities of adults, so you can schedule a samurai experience to share with the family. You can book a class to learn the samurai protocols, as well as the movements, the use of the fan and the sword.

If you prefer to enjoy the show as a spectator, there are also local shows that show the best of kembu, known to be a samurai sword art.

• Sign up with the kids for hands-on activities, such as attending scarf-making classes, painting fans, making Japanese ceramic dishes, playing Japanese drums or preparing local sweets.
• Book the best food tours, depending on how comfortable the children are with trying new dishes.
• Visit Fushimi Inari-Taisha with its colorful gates and trails, it offers a fun experience for both adults and children. I recommend scheduling it during the afternoon to avoid the crowds.

• If you are traveling in summer, I suggest keeping children hydrated, to cope with the extreme temperatures typical of the season.
• There are many tourists most of the year, be careful in the alleys, as they risk getting lost in the crowd when dispersing.
• The bullet train makes it easy to travel from one city to another, if you want to get out of Kyoto and visit the surroundings, it is the best option. You will be able to get there in a matter of minutes, which will prevent children from getting fatigued.