Day 1 – Arrival in Kyoto
You’ll arrive in Kyoto by train (it’s the best way to get around Japan after all). From here you’ll make your own way to your family friendly accommodation near the centre of the city. The rest of your day is free for you to explore. Kyoto is the heart of traditional Japan with golden temples, Zen gardens and atmospheric alleyways to discover. Take a stroll through the Gion district and along the Kanawaga River. Or stroll through the Nishiki Market and arcades and take a break in one of the cafés.
Day 2 – Guided bike tour of Kyoto
This morning you’ll hop on bikes and see Kyoto from a different angle – on two wheels. We’ll arrange a private tour so you can go at your own pace, stop whenever you like, and chat with your guide about the best route. Over about three hours you’ll cover around 14 kilometres, pedalling along quiet backstreets that lead to some of the city’s highlights. Depending on the age of your children, we can arrange child seats or children’s bikes.
The afternoon is yours to explore together. If you fancy a slow-paced afternoon, head to Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, a leafy escape in the middle of the city. There’s plenty of space for the kids to run around whilst you relax.
Day 3 – Discover Kyoto independently
There’s so much to discover in and around Kyoto so we’ve planned an additional day for you and your family to explore. You might like to join a hands-on workshop to create your own colourful bento lunch box, or take part in a traditional tea ceremony where you’ll learn the rituals and etiquette behind this age-old practice. There are a few suggestions below…
Nara is a great family day trip from Kyoto. Kids will love meeting the friendly deer that roam freely around Nara Park. You can also step inside Todai-ji Temple to see the world’s largest bronze Buddha or visit the Nara National Museum for a look at ancient Samurai armour. Also popular are the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, where towering green stalks create a walkway, and the Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine, famous for its thousands of bright red torii gates winding up the hillside.
Day 4 – Departure from Kyoto
It’s time to move onto the next stop on your family adventure through Japan. You could head to the neon-lit city of Osaka, that’s well-known for its streetfood. Or if you’re travelling with teenagers, we would suggest an overnight stay in a temple in Koyasan for a unique experience.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Tea time in Kyoto
Green tea has a long and honoured tradition in Japan. Both the preparation and the act of drinking it are considered a mindful and cultural experience. In this 30-minute session, you’ll be guided through the ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony. After washing your hands, you’ll enter the tea room and observe how tea is prepared with care and precision. A tea master will demonstrate the steps, giving you a quiet, authentic moment of Japanese culture. Kanpai – to your health!
This tea experience is suitable for children aged 10 years+
Make your own bento box
You may have spotted the colourful bento lunch boxes sold in train stations across Japan. We can arrange for you to make your own, under the watchful eye of a local chef. It’s a fun, hands-on way to tuck into Japanese food culture.
This tea experience is suitable for children aged 5 years+
Calligraphy Workshop in a traditional home
Do you have artistic kids? This could be an appealing addition to your stay in Kyoto. Tucked away in a quiet residential area of Kyoto lives a family that has been in the kimono trade for generations. They have opened their traditional home as a cultural space for visitors and we can arrange for you to join them for a calligraphy workshop. After some initial practice, you’ll use a brush to write your favourite kanji character. You’ll take home both your finished piece and the brush as a souvenir.
This workshop is ideal for beginners and even young children aged from 3 years