This guide helps families plan a child-friendly Kyoto trip. It answers: “What to do in Kyoto with kids?”
Quick Facts
- Best for: Families with children of all ages
- Recommended days: 2-3 days
- Kid-friendly transport: Buses and trains have priority seats, strollers allowed
Best Activities for Kids
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Walking through thousands of torii gates is like a treasure hunt. Go partway up – the lower section is stroller-friendly. Kids love the fox statues.
Arashiyama Monkey Park
Hike up (about 20 min) to see wild monkeys. Kids can feed them from inside an enclosed shelter. Great views too.
Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Movie theme park with samurai shows, ninja maze, and costume rentals. Kids can dress as ninja or samurai.
Kyoto Railway Museum
Steam trains, bullet trains, and driving simulators. Near Kyoto Station.
Tips
- Pacing: One or two major temples per day is enough with kids.
- Food: Many restaurants have kids menus (okosama lunch).
- Strollers: Rental strollers available at Kyoto Station.
Getting There
Arriving in Kyoto
Recommended (Premium): From Kansai International Airport (KIX), take the 🔵 JR Haruka Limited Express from Terminal 1 directly to Kyoto Station in approximately 75 minutes. Many Haruka trains feature a “Hello Kitty” design, which is often a highlight for children. Convenience: For families with strollers or heavy luggage, the Airport Limousine Bus serves both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, reaching Kyoto Station in approximately 85–100 minutes without the need to navigate station platforms.
From Osaka Itami Airport (ITM), the Recommended option is the Airport Limousine Bus, which takes approximately 50–55 minutes to reach Kyoto Station. If arriving by Shinkansen from Tokyo or Osaka, you will arrive directly at Kyoto Station.
Getting Around with Kids
Kyoto’s public transport is extensive, but navigating it with children requires some planning. While the city bus network covers most sights, buses can be extremely crowded and difficult to manage with strollers. Whenever possible, prioritize the subway or trains.
Key lines for sightseeing include:
- Subways: The 🟢 Karasuma Line and 🟠 Tozai Line are stroller-friendly and connect central districts.
- Private Lines: Use the 🟢 Keihan Line for Fushimi Inari and Gion, or the 🟤 Hankyu Line for trips to Arashiyama.
- JR Lines: The 🔵 JR Nara Line connects Kyoto Station to Fushimi Inari and Uji.
For payment, use an ICOCA card (available at JR West stations) or compatible cards like Suica/PASMO. Children aged 6–11 require a child’s IC card for half-priced fares, while children under 6 generally travel free (up to two per paying adult). For short distances between temples, taxis are a worthwhile investment to save energy.
Sources
- Tourism board: Kyoto Tourism
Last updated: 2026-02-03