Best Things to Do in Kyoto, with kids

Ryōan-ji is 62% Kids-Friendly

Kids can count stones and spot ducks, yet silence is expected, paths are gravel, and there are no play zones or stroller-friendly routes, so interest is moderate and supervision must stay high.

Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is 62% Kids-Friendly

Children enter free and can make scavenger games from the funny rakan, yet many uneven stone steps, few safety railings, and zero hands-on exhibits may exhaust or frustrate some under-12s.

Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours

Fushimi jikkokubune Boat is 61% Kids-Friendly

School-age kids enjoy half-price seats, lock models, and canal stories, yet the boat lacks railings, movement freedom, or interactive exhibits, so parents must supervise closely to prevent boredom or slips.

Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours

Murin-an is 61% Kids-Friendly

Kids are admitted (under 6 free) and can enjoy stepping stones, but uneven paths, no play zones, and an expectation of silence limit appeal to calm, supervised children.

Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours

Ishibe Alley is 57% Kids-Friendly

Children might enjoy dressing in rented kimono and posing for photos, yet the uneven paving, absence of child toilets, and lack of hands-on exhibits mean constant supervision and possible boredom.

Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours

Kurama Hot Spring is 57% Kids-Friendly

Toilet-trained kids may enter for a reduced fee and can enjoy short soaks and riverside walk, yet water is very hot, no play pools or lifeguards, and boys and girls split from parents of opposite sex after age seven by etiquette.

Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours

Pontocho Alley is 48% Kids-Friendly

Older children can admire lanterns, fish tanks, and river views in daylight, but most evening eateries refuse under-12s and no public toilets exist, so visits should be short and before 5 PM.

Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours

Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) is 39% Kids-Friendly

Children under 12 cannot enter the pagoda, outdoor alleys allow quick photos and nearby wish-ball shrine is mildly fun, yet there are no toilets, play zones, or educational panels to hold attention.

Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours

Saihō-ji (Koke-dera) Temple is 31% Kids-Friendly

Children under 13 are barred on normal days and only admitted on rare Children’s Day sessions, so planning is hard; gravel steps and no interactive exhibits leave most kids bored.

Katsura Imperial Villa is 7% Kids-Friendly

The Imperial Household Agency bans anyone under 12, so children cannot join the guided tour or enter the grounds at all; there are no play areas or alternatives inside.