Kyoto is a charming and very classic and beautiful city that is brimming with life. Walking down its streets and wandering through the back alleys of temples will never cease to leave me in awe. We were blessed with very serene weather for our time in Kyoto with a mystical fog covering the mountains of Kyoto every day. We mostly had the tranquility of Kyoto to ourselves as well and I will always look back fondly on this trip.
If you’re looking for a more leisurely and family friendly Kyoto 5 day itinerary that will take you to both the important as well as lesser-known places, I hope this post will be able to help you to plan a trip to this endearing city that will allow you to explore at a more relaxed pace and in your own time.
👉 Don’t have time to read the whole post? 5-day Kyoto trip where we visited Kibune, Ine Fishing Village,Nanzen-ji, Fushimi Inari.
👉 We stayed at 22 pieces hotel. Book via Booking.com or Expedia at attractive rates.
Here’s our 5-day itinerary in Kyoto when we went on our family trip.
Day 1: Journey to Kyoto
We left in the early morning and flew out of Singapore with much excitement in the morning. Unfortunately, the flight was delayed and we didn’t reach Osaka Airport till around 5 p.m. in the evening. I can never help but feel just a little bit of jealousy for those who live near Japan and are able to get to this magical country in 2 hours flat!
The immigration queue was quite long, as I had expected. It’s always a lot faster when you travel with a 2 year old toddler. The family line wasn’t exactly short either, but I think it must have shaved off a significant amount of time compared to the normal queue too. Finally, after about an hour or so we were out of immigration and out at the train station for the pretty Kitty-themed bullet train to Kyoto.
We checked into our hotel tired from the long trip. Despite having a toddler with us, I had still to make dinner for her, while my husband kindly took the older two out to buy take-out for us. The first night in Kyoto was thus a rather shortation and proceeded
Day 2: A Summer Dream in Kibune
Our second day in Kyoto started a little earlier than expected. Summer in Japan means the sun rises earlier than back home in Singapore and the sunlight filtering through the curtains jostled our body clocks a little. After a leisurely breakfast though, we were up and moving by around 9 a.m.
I had bookmarked a video earlier about the Eizan Electric Railway. I adored that the train meanders through lush, verdant green mountains and through the thick forests. When I was on the train with my 2 year old, it was the combination of the sound of the train, the sun filtering through the leaves and casting different shadows as we moved that really just seemed to slow time itself. I personally love the deep verdant green of the summer months but I’ve heard that the scenery in autumn is also not to be missed, with the foliage turning a fiery red.
We took the train to Kibuneguchi Station and proceeded on foot to the famous Kibune Shrine. Just a word of warning, though the train ride is lovely, only a small section of the Eizan Electric Railway line passes through the thicker and denser portion of the forest that lies between Eizan Electric Railway stations E14 and E15.
For lunch, we ate at a local tofu restaurant by the shrine. It was quite cheap and we also missed out on the famous (and more expensive) riverside dining experience on the ground (known as kawadoko). We were neither all that enticed by the idea of cold food at the riverside nor were we in the mood for the famed flowing somen noodles. Instead we had a quick meal at Byodoin Café which has a table fee and a time limit of 30 mins there.
The Kibune Shrine itself isn’t that big but the steps at the entrance is quite photogenic and a great spot for a picture. Kibune is a good day trip out if you like short and peaceful walks through the forest and want to enjoy some cool summer breezes.
Day 3: Ine Fishing Village
If you want to see a different side to Kyoto, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Amanohashidate and Ine. Amanohashidate is one of Japan’s three scenic views. It is a narrow sandbar covered with over 7000 pine trees straddling across the sea. It is an absolutely stunning sight and I never think that Japan’s natural splendor can match up to those grandiose landscapes of larger countries, but this was a very beautiful, peaceful place and was a nice day trip.
After a quick visit to Amanohashidate, we proceeded to Ine which is a quiet fishing village that is often described as Japan’s Venice. Ine is a beautiful town with its signature boat houses set by the tranquil, clear and calm waters. The whole town was idyllic and felt like another world entirely from the hustle and bustle of the city. We did a day tour which was not just more convenient but also cheaper than a private car rental. At around USD$50 a person, we spent about 2.5 hours in Amanohashidate and an hour in Ine.
I would highly recommend doing a boat ride while in Ine which was where we met seagulls and eagles. They hung around our boat for a while, rather close to us, in the hopes that we would give them a piece of the shrimp crackers we had in our hands. It was such a thrill to be so close to these majestic birds! They are quite aggressive in their attempts to snatch the food, so do perhaps keep some distance if you’re willing to feed them. I loved Ine and its raw nature. It was a good day trip.
Day 4: Slow Mornings and Coffee at Nanzen-ji
Day four in Kyoto, we moved slow. We checked out from the hotel and took a walk to Nanzen-ji which was a lovely complex of shrines and buildings, surrounded by lush greenery and trees. A fun fact is that there is another Nanzen-ji in China, in a city called Wuxi to be exact. It was said to have been founded a thousand years before the Nanzen-ji in Japan, back during the Southern Dynasties (i.e. way before the Nanzen-ji in Japan!). However, the Nanzen-ji we visited in Kyoto was actually one built in Japan (during the Yuan Dynasty) and it was of a different architecture too.
Nanzen-ji is unlike most other temples in Kyoto. There are no reservations needed and no entrance fee either. We strolled through the gardens and I thought this was one of the best temples we visited. It was so peaceful and a much slower pace than many other temples, which is just what I had been looking forward to in Kyoto.
In the evening, we had a quick coffee at the famed Blue Bottle Coffee (a California-origin coffee chain) and collected our luggage and checked in at our new hotel for the second half of our stay.
Day 5: Fushimi Inari and the Classic Kyoto Experience
We saved Fushimi Inari for the last day in Kyoto and did not overexert ourselves on this most famous of Kyoto experiences. The shrine complex at Fushimi Inari can get very crowded and by the time we got there at about 10 a.m., the tourists were already flooding in.
I had been to a smaller version of Fushimi Inari before in Sapporo and had never gotten to wear a kimono for photos before at the Kyoto version. It was winter in Sapporo and I was freezing and shivering in the cold with nothing but white snow to add to the scenic pictures. Kyoto in summer had a very different, more lively energy.
Fushimi Inari is famous for the thousands and thousands of red torii gates which meander up the mountain. A great place to get a photo without too many people in the frame is to walk a bit further up the path. I managed to snap a shot with no one else in the frame! Torii gates have been donated by various individuals and businesses to Fushimi Inari as offerings to the gods since the Meiji period.
Kyoto Hotel Recommendations: Where We Stayed
Kyoto is built in a grid system, taking its design from the Tang Dynasty capital of Chang’an with Shijo and Gion areas in the center of the city. We were in the Kyoto Station area at a boutique hotel called 22 Pieces which I really liked. It was only a 5-minute walk to the station and this was also where most of the day tours that we took would meet up to pick up their passengers.
The room that we were in was quite spacious by Japanese standards and a great place for families with kids. It had tatami mats, three beds, and very retro furnishings. There was a private bathroom (complete with a Dyson hairdryer, FYI) and a small kitchenette with cooking utensils. It was great to be able to whip up some simple food for our 2 year old and it was especially appreciated as our hotel for the second half of our stay was in the outskirts and there were not as many options around. It had a balcony which was a lovely place to sit in the evenings.
Conclusion
Kyoto is a city that I will never tire of. It is a beautiful, charming and fascinating city that I hope to return to again and again. If you’re looking to plan a trip to Kyoto, I hope that our 5 days in Kyoto itinerary for families will be useful to you. If you’re ready to take the plunge and plan your own unforgettable trip to Kyoto, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
FAQs: 5 Days in Kyoto Itinerary for Families
Is Kyoto a good travel destination for families?
Kyoto is a great travel destination for families! With its rich history and culture, there’s something for everyone. Families will enjoy visiting temples, museums, and gardens, as well as trying delicious local cuisine.
How easy is it to get around Kyoto with a family?
Getting around Kyoto with a family is easy. The city has an efficient public transportation system, including trains and buses. You can also rent a car or hire a taxi for more flexibility.
What’s the best time to visit Kyoto with kids?
The best time to visit Kyoto with kids is during spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). During these months, the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds.
What to pack for a family trip to Kyoto?
When packing for a family trip to Kyoto, be sure to include comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and hats for sun protection. Depending on the season, you may also want to bring raincoats and umbrellas.
Are restaurants in Kyoto kid-friendly?
Yes, most restaurants in Kyoto are kid-friendly and have menus for children. You’ll also find many cafes with tables for families.
Is it difficult to travel with a baby or toddler in Kyoto?
Traveling with a baby or toddler in Kyoto can be challenging but manageable with proper preparation. Be sure to bring a stroller, baby carrier, and diapers on your trip.
How far is Kyoto from Osaka Airport?
Kyoto is about an hour from Osaka Airport by train. You can take the JR Haruka Express or other local trains to Kyoto Station.
What are some of the best hotels for families in Kyoto?
Some of the best family-friendly hotels in Kyoto include Hotel Granvia, Hotel Terrace House, and Hotel Fuji.
Are there any day trips from Kyoto that are good for families?
Yes, there are several day trips from Kyoto that are great for families. Some of the most popular include Nara, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
5 Days in Kyoto Itinerary: Our Family-Friendly Trip in Kyoto