traveltowith

Find the Best Activities & Hotels for Families, Couples, and Solo Travelers

About UsContactTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy
© 2026 Traveltowith. All rights reserved.
t
Search...
Japan/Things to Do in Kyoto, with kids

Kifune Shrine (with kids)

with kidswith babycouple tripsolo trip

How Kids-Friendly is Kifune Shrine?

63%Kids-Friendly
View Map

What makes it 63% Kids-Friendly: Children like floating fortune papers and drawing ema, and river sounds add fun, but steep uneven stairs, no stroller access, and limited child toilets make supervision and stamina essential.

Google
Reviews4.5/ 5
(from 10,658 reviews)
Guide to KIFUNE Shrine's Autumn Magic: MAPLE TREE TUNNEL and Serene Beauty - KYOTO, Japan
8 min
Start from:
0:00
Guide to KIFUNE Shrine's Autumn Magic: MAPLE TREE TUNNEL and Serene Beauty - KYOTO, Japan
5.6K views • 1 year ago
Kyoto Vlog: Day trip to Kifune Shrine 🇯🇵 (Kibune River Dining)
20 min
Start from:
0:00
Kyoto Vlog: Day trip to Kifune Shrine 🇯🇵 (Kibune River Dining)
1.6K views • 1 year ago
[4K] Travel Diary to "Kifune Shrine" in Kyoto | Japan📙
18 min
Start from:
0:00
[4K] Travel Diary to "Kifune Shrine" in Kyoto | Japan📙
2.3K views • 2 years ago
One day solo trip to KYOTO | Water noodles | 貴船神社流水麺 | Shrine visit | Travel Vlog
15 min
Start from:
0:00
One day solo trip to KYOTO | Water noodles | 貴船神社流水麺 | Shrine visit | Travel Vlog
1K views • 2 years ago

Positives:

  • Interactive rituals: Hands-on activities keep kids engaged and learning about Shinto traditions.
  • Safe play spots: Riverbanks and lantern-lined paths provide gentle areas for supervised play.

Challenges:

  • Stone steps: Numerous uneven stairs may require carrying younger kids in a sling.
  • No stroller access: Paths to inner shrines are narrow and stepped; pack a baby carrier instead.
Kifune Shrine image 1
Kifune Shrine image 2
Kifune Shrine image 3
Kifune Shrine image 4
Kifune Shrine image 5
Kifune Shrine image 6
Kifune Shrine image 7
Kifune Shrine image 8
Kifune Shrine image 9
Kifune Shrine image 10
Kifune Shrine image 11
🏖️ Explore Kifune Shrine with a local guide: GetYourGuide's 10 BEST Activities and Tours around Kifune Shrine. Local guides know the hidden gems you'd otherwise miss, read what other travelers experienced, and book easily.

What is Kifune Shrine?

  • A Shinto shrine complex at the headwaters of the Kibune River in northern Kyoto, dedicated to the water deity Kuraokami since the early 8th century.
  • A three-tiered worship site consisting of the Hon-gū main hall, the Nakamiya middle shrine, and the Okumiya rear shrine, aligned along a moss-covered mountain trail illuminated by vermilion lanterns.
  • Features vermilion-lacquered halls, moss-covered stone lanterns, and spring-fed pools used for the mizuura-mikuji water fortune ritual.

What is so special about Kifune Shrine for with kids?

  1. Kids reveal hidden fortunes with water slips
  2. Child-friendly omamori and ema plaque crafts
  3. Relax at riverside café platforms over the stream
  4. Shallow riverbanks for supervised play
  5. Interactive rituals introduce children to Shinto

Recommended visit duration: 1-3 hours

Why 1-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Children can explore the shrine rituals and riverside area without getting overtired.

(View Kifune Shrine on Map)

Kids-Friendly Activities in Kifune Shrine

Water Fortune Slip:

Dip a blank paper in the sacred basin to reveal hidden characters.

Tip: Let kids scan the QR code for English translations and explain the fortune together.

Child Growth Amulet:

Purchase a small omamori for your child’s health and safety.

Tip: Children can carry it in their pocket as a daily good-luck charm.

Ema Votive Plaque:

Write wishes on wooden plaques and hang them on shrine racks.

Tip: Provide colored markers and let kids decorate their ema designs.

Riverside Café Break:

Relax on wooden platforms over the Kibune River.

Tip: Book seats in advance and bring swimsuits for supervised toe-dipping.

Riverbank Picnic & Play:

Enjoy snacks by the water and watch fish in the shallow stream.

Tip: Pack bentō or snacks and a small towel for wet toes.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Kifune Shrine

  1. Arrive early: Get to the shrine before 10:00 to find quieter spots and secure riverside seating.
  2. Pack snacks: Bring bentō and water to avoid waiting at busy café platforms.
🏖️ Tour Kifune Shrine like a local: GetYourGuide's Top 10 Activities and Tours in Kifune Shrine. Local experts uncover hidden treasures you'd never find alone, browse authentic traveler reviews, and book your perfect adventure hassle-free.

Reviews of Kifune Shrine

Powered by Google
Olive

Olive

Jul 2025

visited during tanabata festival! such a wonderful place. wrote my wishes down and hung it up. the shrine has a peaceful aura and is the only place in Japan where u can get your fortune read through a water-based approach!

Eric Meulien

Eric Meulien

Jul 2025

Beautiful mountain hike. Can be hot in summer past 9am. River restaurants open at 11am. The Kifune shrine is divided in several small shrines along the way. Free access. About 1h walk from the station. Most food places take cash only.

Sayuti Nurdin

Sayuti Nurdin

Jun 2025

Kifune Shrine in Kyoto, from June to July, offers a truly immersive experience in nature's tranquility. The vibrant summer greenery surrounding the shrine creates a striking contrast with the iconic red lanterns lining the stone steps, resulting in a visually captivating and spiritually uplifting atmosphere. Revered by many as a power spot, Kifune Shrine is believed to emanate positive energy fro...

Phan Hanh

Phan Hanh

Jun 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A hidden gem in Kyoto – my favorite spot of the entire trip! Kifune Shrine is hands down the most memorable and meaningful place I visited during my winter trip to Kyoto. Nestled halfway up a mountain and surrounded by dense forest, the shrine offers an incredibly fresh and peaceful atmosphere that feels far removed from the busy tourist sites in central Kyoto. Getting there isn’t the easi...

Tara Constant

Tara Constant

Apr 2025

I really love this shrine! The entire place is surrounded by nature. The weather was perfect on the day we visited. The shrine is divided into several sections, and the farthest one requires a bit of a walk to reach. However, there are restrooms and plenty of drink vending machines along the way (with lots of unique Japanese-style beverages! A friendly warning though… some of them are *very* swee...

When is the best time to visit Kifune Shrine (Kyoto, Japan)?

May–Sept opens riverside platforms for cool dining. Autumn brings colorful leaves along lantern-lit paths. Winter has fewer crowds and crisp mountain air.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to Kyoto on Trip.com

Explore These Activities

Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)

ItemCost (Approx.)
Water Fortune Slip (4 x ¥200)JPY 800
Child Growth Amulet (2 x ¥500)JPY 1,000
Ema Plaque (2 x ¥700)JPY 1,400
Riverside Café (4 x ¥1,000)JPY 4,000
Total EstimatedJPY 7,200

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

Map of Kifune Shrine

Address: 180 Kuramakibunechō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112, Japan

Map will load when you scroll here

Scroll down to view the interactive map

Looking for other Things to Do besides Kifune Shrine (Kyoto)?

← See other Things to Do in Kyoto (with kids)

About Kifune Shrine

Opening Hours

Monday:6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday:6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday:6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday:6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday:6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday:6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday:6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Phone Number

+81 75-741-2016

10 BEST nearby Activities

Book on GetYourGuide

Explore Popular Things to Do

🇯🇵 Japan, with kids

Things to Do in Tokyo, with kids
Tokyo
Things to Do in Osaka, with kids
Osaka
Things to Do in Kyoto, with kids
Kyoto
Mount Fuji AreaSapporoHakoneFukuokaNagoya

🇺🇸 United States, with kids

Things to Do in Hawaii, with kids
Hawaii
Things to Do in New York, with kids
New York
Los AngelesSan FranciscoLas VegasSeattleAustinNiagara Falls

🇨🇦 Canada, with kids

Things to Do in Vancouver, with kids
Vancouver
Things to Do in Toronto, with kids
Toronto
Things to Do in Montreal, with kids
Montreal
VictoriaCalgaryQuebec CityOttawaNiagara Falls

🇮🇪 Ireland, with kids

Things to Do in Dublin, with kids
Dublin
Things to Do in Cork, with kids
Cork
Things to Do in Galway, with kids
Galway

🇬🇧 United Kingdom, with kids

Things to Do in London, with kids
London
Things to Do in Edinburgh, with kids
Edinburgh
Things to Do in Manchester, with kids
Manchester

🇮🇹 Italy, with kids

Things to Do in Rome, with kids
Rome
Things to Do in Florence, with kids
Florence
Things to Do in Milan, with kids
Milan

How You Can Support Us

If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!

It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!

10 BEST nearby Activities

Book on GetYourGuide
traveltowith
HomeDestinationsAbout
Kyoto, Japan

searching for