Loaded with historical yet kid-friendly sites, Kyoto, Japan, is a great place to introduce your family to the country’s culture while still enjoying the modern amenities most kids are accustomed to at home. The list of activities both parents and children can enjoy together is long. But I think what I enjoy about Kyoto the most is that it offers so many chances to do one of my favorite things when traveling with kids: teach. Great destinations like Kyoto make learning fun.
Classic Kyoto architecture is a visual treat. Photo by Pedro Szekely
Things To Do in Kyoto with Kids
Temple Town
Kyoto boasts 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. So how does a family choose which to visit? The good answer is that there really isn’t a bad choice. During my three days in Kyoto, I visited seven. Several of these were planned, others I stumbled upon while out wandering. Some of my favorites are conveniently close together, which can be a key to vacation success when you’ve got kids in tow.
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Kodai-ji Temple
The grounds of Kodai-ji Temple are vast and varied. Along with actual structures, the gardens scream for exploration. Pathways lead visitors from one spot to the next, and while adults may tend to focus on the views, kids enjoy what is actually creating the scenery: a forest of bamboo reflected perfectly in a lake. The 80-foot Buddha, Ryozen Kannon, sits next door. Certain times of year, Kodai-ji opens at night for what’s called Temple Light Ups. Be sure to explore at night if the timing works with your travel schedule.
Ryozen Kannon. Photo by Andrea Schaffer
Ryozen Kannon
An open area and parking lot sit between Kodai-ji Temple and Ryozen Kannon, giving little ones a nice space to run off some steam. There’s also a spot to grab a quick snack. But don’t leave without visiting Ryozen Kannon, a tribute to the Unknown Soldier of WWII. Walk around as long as the kids will allow; the Buddha’s stone footprint is bound to be a hit.
Lucky Buddhas
All you have to do is give them a rub. In the area surrounding Ryozen Kannon and Kodai-ji, there are assorted small Buddha statues tucked into nooks and crannies. Pink signs tell passersby that touching the roadside Buddhist statues will bring prosperity and happiness. The instructions are pretty simple: Just touch the statues with your right hand or both hands, and touch the pedestals of the taller statues. Think of it as a Buddha treasure hunt of sorts.
Spectacular scenery from the Sagano Romantic Train. Photo by Eddy Lee
Sagano Romantic Train
I know what you’re thinking: a romantic train that’s family-friendly? I’d have my doubts too — but it’s equally fun for kids. Whether you’re at the window seat of one of the Sagano Romantic Train’s closed cars or on an open-air car, the half-hour trip takes you along the Hozu River. With spring come cherry blossoms; fall brings colorful foliage; summer, a scenic landscape; and winter, snow and less crowds.
When you get off at the last stop, the Diorama Kyoto Japan will be waiting. It’s like an amusement park for train lovers: This model railroad, with numerous trains, runs through Kyoto’s historic sites on more than a mile and a half of track. Kids and kids at heart can operate select trains in the diorama. The controls are, fittingly, installed in the front cab of a full-size electric locomotive.
Kyoto International Manga Museum
What was once a Japanese elementary school is now the Kyoto International Manga Museum, housing nearly 300,000 items related to manga. On weekends, artists give demonstrations on how to draw manga in the Manga Studio, and kids will enjoy the collection of manga and picture books in the Children’s Library. All explanations and descriptions throughout the museum are in both Japanese and English, so no worries about translation.
Relevant Links:
Browse all family-friendly accommodations and activities in Japan on Ciao Bambino
Best 1-week itinerary in Japan with kids
Ancient beauty meets exquisite modern design at Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto
9 favorite day trips from Tokyo with kids
Editor’s Note: Dana’s trip to Japan was hosted by the city of Kyoto. As always, our thoughts and opinions are our own on Ciao Bambino. Photos by Dana Rebmann.
Source: http://ciaobambino.com/things-to-do-in-kyoto-with-kids/
The original content (article & images) is owned by Dana Rebmann. Visit the site here for other interesting stories.
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