10 Kid-Friendly Things To Do in Kyoto

If you’ve already ticked off our list of family-friendly things to do in Tokyo, you might have your sights set on Kyoto next. It’s only natural, as this historic city — once the capital of Japan — gives a snapshot into Japan’s bygone eras with its protection of traditional architecture and cultural heritage, including geisha and Japanese tea ceremonies.

Browse these family-friendly things to do in Kyoto, helping you explore the area as a family and pick up a few cooking skills along the way. You’re about to need some extra space in your family album…

Traveling with any little wannabe geisha in tow? You need to join this family-friendly Japanese tea ceremony experience, conveniently located near the gold-plated sights of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. 

Before the experience begins in earnest, your host will explain the history and cultural significance of the Japanese tea ceremony, rooted in centuries of precise movements and mindful moments.

Once you understand the foundation of tea ceremonies, you’ll be patiently guided through the different steps of making tea, crafting your own matcha with a bamboo whisk — paired, as is custom, with a seasonal wagashi sweet.

For extra immersion and an excuse to snap a few more pictures, you can also rent a kimono for the experience, or even dress as a geisha or samurai; just as much fun for adults as it is for the kids!

Book this family-friendly Japanese tea ceremony experience!

Only 10 minutes by train from Kyoto Station, your host Midori is waiting to welcome you with a cup of tea and your very own introduction to cooking a teriyaki chicken meal from scratch. After walking you through the flow of the class, including ingredients and seasonings, it’s time to cook.

In this family-friendly cooking class, learn how to make teriyaki chicken (or deep-fried tofu), miso soup and onigiri rice balls, all while Midori is crafting a vegetable side dish and sharing her expertise in the kitchen.

Dietary restrictions? Midori can adapt the experience as needed for a gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal-friendly or pescatarian cooking class. Let us know when you book and leave your worries at the door.

Learn the art of Japanese home cooking as a family!

About 1.5 hours from central Kyoto and resting between tea fields, this udon-making class in Wazuka gives you a chance to pick up a new skill while escaping the crowds of Kyoto’s most popular spots — looking at you, Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Master the homely nature of Kyoto udon, mixing, kneading and rolling the thick, chewy udon noodles before placing them into a rich broth of bonito flakes and seaweed, topped with fried tofu and Kujo green onion. 

As Kyoto is known for its matcha tea, no trip would be complete without a cup of matcha tea and two pieces of chadango, traditional sweet tea-flavored skewered dumplings.

If you want to make the most of your time in Wazuka, you can also add on a dessert set, tempura set or a special souvenir of taberu cha — translated to edible tea — to your experience at the time of booking.

Got plans to visit Nara? Wazuka is in southeast Kyoto and only about an hour from Nara. It’s the perfect chance to take the family to see the famous Nara deer. 

Make udon noodles from scratch in Kyoto’s countryside!

Explore some of Kyoto’s must-see spots by foot in this Kyoto walking tour with lunch or dinner, taking you through charm-filled historical streets, to visit a traditional townhouse, and to a number of local shops for arts, crafts and vegan-friendly snacks along the way. 

After your leisurely 2-hour stroll, sit down for a plant-based feast at a vegan restaurant that specializes in making healthy versions of junk foods (think hamburgers and pizza). Since you’ll have likely smashed your 10,000 steps goal for the day, you’ll have worked up an appetite — dig in! 

Kyoto is already well-known for its vegan-friendly atmosphere, but for a family-friendly walking tour with a side of vegan delights, this is the place to be.

Walk through Kyoto and enjoy a vegan lunch or dinner!

As the cultural hub of geisha in all of Japan, you’re sure to want to take the family to Kyoto’s Gion district. While you’re there, why not join this family-friendly ramen noodles cooking class? 

Based at the beloved ramen restaurant of Musoshin — whose delicious ramen has reached as far as Canada, even featured in the Michelin Guide — you’ll be learning from the pros.

Once you’ve been shown the ins and outs of their unique noodle-making machine, roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Knead two types of flour into a refined noodle dough, roll it into sheets, and cut your fresh noodles.

As a reward for your hard work, experience an expert-prepared bowl of ramen at Musoshin before heading back onto the breathtaking streets of Gion.

Note: Children below the age of five cannot participate in this cooking class.

Book a ramen noodle-making experience in Gion, Kyoto!

Big news, Nintendo lovers! A Nintendo Museum is opening in Kyoto on October 2, 2024, and what a memorable museum it’s going to be.

Jump between exhibitions that take you through all the eras of Nintendo and their beloved consoles and gadgets, try out one of eight interactive games, create your own customized burger into the Nintendo Museum cafe or bag yourself some merch in the shop.

How to get tickets? Like many of Japan’s most popular attractions and events, tickets are drawn in a monthly lottery system. To reserve tickets, you go to the calendar, select three desired dates and then simply cross your fingers and hope you’re chosen.

As of the time of writing (September, 2024), tickets are drawn for December, 2024, suggesting that Nintendo Museum tickets will be made available three months ahead of your desired visit date.

TOEI Kyoto Studio Park is a unique theme park where you can observe the filming of period dramas set in Japan. Wander freely around Edo Period streets, used in the production of over 200 films each year. 

From ninja shows to opportunities to dress up as geisha or samurai, this is something people of all ages can enjoy and learn from.

If your little ones love Japanese trains — and who doesn’t? — you need to save some time for Kyoto’s Railway Museum. 

Featuring 54 different trains for your viewing pleasure, ranging from steam locomotives to Shinkansen bullet trains, there’s plenty to see. There’s also a train driver experience, allowing you to use the simulator that real train drivers use for training; you’ll also be able to learn about train drivers’ tools and clothing.

Did the family love the little train diorama at Kyoto’s Railway Museum? Well, Diorama Kyoto Japan is truly one of the largest railroad dioramas of West Japan, famous for its intricate designs of Kyoto landmark sites and iconic scenery.

You can even practice driving a model train from the driver’s seat, seeing the journey from the scale model’s point of view using a small camera on the train itself! Note that this experience requires a separate reservation and fee.

From 50,000 manga comic books dating back to 1912 and portraits from real manga artists to storytelling exhibitions and manga-making workshops, Kyoto International Manga Museum really has it all.

There’s no age limit to manga, so bring the whole family along for manga-filled family memories.

For more things to do in Kyoto, explore our 3-day Kyoto itinerary. Or, if you’re heading to Tokyo next, take a look through our family-friendly experiences in Tokyo.

Yes! Kyoto’s unique mix of tradition and slow-paced cultural activities can be a perfect way to introduce the family to the less flashy side of Japan.

From Kyoto’s Gion district — where you may spot authentic geisha — and Kiyomizu-dera Temple to the nearby sights of Nara’s cute deer herds, there’s plenty here to enchant and amaze the whole family.

Kyoto has a great public transportation system, including trains and buses, which are stroller-friendly and make it easy to navigate the city with little ones.