What to do with kids in Kyoto if it starts to rain? Here are all of the places that we love.
This blog post contains some affiliate links. This means that I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using my link – at no additional charge to you.
1. Kyoto Railway Museum.
A railway museum sounds so boring but it is actually EXCELLENT! Even for tiny babies (there is a tummy time space etc) AND even grown ups find it interesting. It’s just really really well done.
(FYI There is also an aquarium close by too but I haven’t been there yet.)
Read about the Kyoto Railway Museum in more detail here.
And if the weather clears while you’re at the museum – there is the Umekoji Park and Playground just 3 mins walk away! It has an adventure playground and empty train carriages for kids to explore.
I’ve written all the details of Umekoji Park in Kyoto here.
Where to eat with kids near the Kyoto Railway Museum and Umekoji Park & Playground?
Schole Pizza have a kids menu and accept most major credit cards. They do have some vegetarian pizza options. I recommend budgeting for 2000 yen per adult to eat lunch here and more like 3000 yen a dinner time. They have space to store your stroller while you dine. Should you decide to walk back to Kyoto Station from here it will take approximately 15 mins (so take the train from Umekoji Kyoto Nishi Station instead as that will take just 3 mins or so) They have the standard margherita pizza or 4 cheese pizza type deal here but also this is a good chance to try popular Japanese pizzas such as tuna & corn, seaweed mayo & mentaiko or crispy teriyaki chicken pizza. They also have dessert pizzas such as chocolate marshmallow pizza or apple pie pizza.
You can ask your hotel to make a reservation for you or you can just turn up and try your luck (the restaurant seats 20 people.)
SCHOLE , UMEKOJI
京都市下京区上之町417 ナカキンズフラット
417 NAKA KINS FLAT, KAMINOCHO, SHIMOGYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN 11:30AM-9PM (LAST ORDERS AT 8:30PM)
Or you can go to Soniya for Indian Food. They also have a kids menu. They accept most major credit cards. It is 4 mins walk from Umekoji Park. I would budget approx 1200 yen per adult when enjoying a meal here. This restaurant is non-smoking. They also do take-out. Closest station to this restaurant is Toji Station. It will take 12 mins to walk to Kyoto Station from here.
SONIYA
京都区南区八条坊門町6-7
6-7 HACHIJOBOMONCHO, MINAMI-KU, KYOTO
OPEN 11AM-3PM & 5PM-10:30PM
2. Aeon Mall Kyoto
If you are looking for a good rainy day in Kyoto option, walk from Kyoto Station for 6 mins to Aeon Mall Kyoto ( pronounced ”E”-ON). It is a large department store, baby change rooms, kiddie play areas and a Namco Games Arcade on the 4F with all the crane games etc.
The entire mall has free wifi.
There is also a cinema. (The staff will be able to help you but if you see a movie, make sure you see the 字幕 = subtitled version. Then the movie will play in English with Japanese subtitles.)
There is GAP, ZARA, Uniqlo etc incase you needed to buy more clothing with more western size options. If you need to buy shoes for kids or adults there is ABC Mart and for a decent sized 100 yen shop there is a Daiso on the 4th floor. *My friends from America tell me that Uniqlo in Japan is pretty much 50% cheaper than the US.
The restaurant floor (majority of the 4th floor) has pizza, KFC, ramen, Indian curry, Korean food, ice-cream, shabu-shabu, Chinese food, takoyaki, burgers, McDonalds, a restaurant with a bakery.
There is also a whole section for gatchapon toys too. The detail on these toys is just incredible.
Did you know that instead of fries at McDonald’s Japan you can order a side of edamame and corn. My daughter LOVES it!
A reader of my blog also gave me such an amazing suggestion – you can order a McDonald’s side salad and mix it with the edamame and corn to make a slightly heartier salad for under 600 yen!
*side note: McDonald’s fries are not vegetarian/vegan – they are fried in beef fat.
Also in the Aeon Kaede Mall near Kyoto Station is a Japanese-French Bakery that I love called Heart Bread Antique. It’s located on the ground floor. They accept most major credit cards.
Top Shelf: Salted Bread filled with Red Bean Paste & Whipped Cream, Cod Roe Crossiants, Red Bean Gipfeli (German style Croissant), Cannelé de Bordeaux、Small Weiner Sausages in Cheese Curry Bread, Melted Cheese Croque monsieur
Bottom Shelf: Onion & Chicken Zopf Bread, Frankfurter Hot Dog Roll, Crunchy Pork Bun, Beef Stew Pie, Cheese Cream Pie, Apple Pie.
You can use google translate but – just to give you an idea of the options
Salted Dough Pizza Bread, Melty Cheese Pizza Bread with Bacon, Long Wiener Hot Dog Bread.
On the ground floor of the Aeon Shopping Mall is a large Toys R US and Babies R Us. Open from 10AM -9PM*. It’s actually a really cute place to pick up some unique to Japan toys to take home.
The ground floor of Aeon Mall contains a large supermarket-which is also really handy.
For those looking for gluten free options in Kyoto, this supermarket also stocks gluten free soy sauce and cake mixes. There is also a Kaldi Coffee Farm store on the same floor which has gluten-free pasta.
*Kaldi stores are fab for if your kids are craving more familiar food options. Google “Kaldi near me” while you’re in Japan – here you can find international items such as Halal options, oat crackers, oatmeal, twinings earl grey, tomato juice, cous cous, maple syrup, skippy peanut butter, nutella, vegemite etc.
3. Team Lab Biovortex Kyoto
10 mins walk from the Hachijo Exit at Kyoto Station. You will need to book your timeslot in advance so jump on the Team Lab Biovortex Kyoto site now and see what is available.
4. Make Okonomiyaki together as a family
Walk to Tsuruhashi Fugetsu in Yodobashi Camera in Kyoto – takes 10 mins on foot.
On the same floor of Yodobashi, Kyoto, is an okonomiyaki restaurant called Tsuruhashi Fugetsu. You cook your own okonomiyaki on a hot plate at your table (don’t worry – the staff will help you if you don’t know what to do.) You can also make yakisoba. This is a great option for kids as they can get involved AND they can decide exactly which ingredients go in their meal. See my tips here on how to order a vegetarian okonomiyaki. You can ask your hotel to make a reservation for you or you can just try for a walk-in. The restaurant seats 82 people so, hopefully, you won’t wait long if you just line up. This restaurant is non-smoking. They accept most major credit cards. See the full Tsuruhashi Fugetsu menu in English here.
TSURUHASHI FUGETSU, KYOTO YODOBASHI
京都市下京区烏丸通七条下ル東塩小路町５９０-２ 京都ヨドバシビル６F
6F, KYOTO YODOBASHI BUILDING , 5902 HIGASHI SHIOKOJICHO, SHIMOGYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN 11AM-10PM
There is a baby change table in the toilets on this floor – and a designated breastfeeding space.
*On the ground floor of the Yodobashi Kyoto building is also a Burger King and an English style Pub. *
Afterwards, you’ll want to explore this whole building – floors and floors of shopping and restaurants.
5. Explore in, above and below Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station is so big and it’s easy to find change tables. If you think you haven’t spotted your perfect place for lunch or dinner try taking the elevators down underneath the station as that underground department store is full of lots of reasonable , kid-friendly options.
If kids need some wriggle space once you have arrived at Kyoto Station, then take the giant staircase or escalators right up to the top of the station. There is a big open rooftop area with a free observation area and just lots of kids to wriggle and stretch their legs.
Within the Station (and near those giant stairs) I recommend checking out the 7th floor of Isetan Department Store within the Station. This is the Toy / Kidswear floor. There are some sections for kids to try out the toys and there are also kids toilets, change tables. This store also lends strollers to customers (but only for use while you are in the Isetan Department Store.)
The toys often set out on tables for kids to try so it’s a great time waster for kids who need time to play.
How about a haircut, in a car, holding a bus, watching a show about trains?! Yes??!!!
The children’s hair salon, Zusso ‘s stylists are seriously talented.
Also within the Isetan building, go to the 11th floor for a family-friendly Tonkatsu Restaurant Tonkatsu Wako.
This restaurant sits 47 people and they don’t take reservations. They do accept most major credit cards. See the full Tonkatsu Wako menu in English here. And the adorable kids menu plates here. Each kids meal comes with a small toy. This restaurant has high chairs.
TONKATSU WAKO, JR KYOTO ISETAN
11TH FLOOR ISETAN DEPARTMENT STORE INSIDE KYOTO STATION
OPEN 11AM-10PM (LAST ORDERS 9:15PM)
I recommend checking out Kyoto Station after dark as the grand staircase has a light show on throughout the evenings.
6. Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market is also worth a walk through ( warning; it is really crowded so it is pretty tricky to navigate with a stroller.). It’s great if you want to try lots of different types of weird and wonderful foods. It is very very touristy though. But worth a walk through never-the-less.
Nishiki Market is, surprisingly, not really a great option for early mornings. Some stalls will open around 9am but to see the market properly? I’d wait until at least 10am.
Read here for a long list of kid-friendly restaurants close to Nishiki Market.
There are lots of gatchapon (the toys in the little balls) machines in the Nishiki Market area too and Kiddyland Toy Store is just 3 mins walk from the market too.
My kids also loved ice cream from the Snoopy Tea House within Nishiki Market.
Where do I like to shop near Nishiki Market?
Just 1 min walk from the market is a store called “Den on the Table” and they sell the most beautiful plates at the most affordable prices (most items are only a few hundred yen.) Open 11am-7pm (until 8pm on Fri & Sat.)
If you are looking forgluten free options while in Kyoto, I recommend visiting a supermarket called Tavelt (just 2 minutes walk from Nishiki Market.). It is in the basement floor of Fuji Daimaru. Opens at 10:30am. They sell gluten free products such as Tamari (put it in your bag for sushi restaurants) cakes and bread.
2 mins walk from Nishiki Market is an onigiri (rice ball) stand that I LOVE!
It is called Gochiso Yakimusubi Onimaru and it is close to the market, the entrance to the Samurai & Ninja Museum and is also across the road from Fuji Daimaru. See pics of all the onigiri options here (sooo good!) Open 10am-9pm.
7. Samurai & Ninja Museum and Experience in Kyoto is also in the market area.
This is a great option for families (even grannies and grandpas like this one.) Unless you have ninja obsessed teens- I feel that this activity is best for kids between the ages of 2-8.
8. Round 1 Kyoto Kawaramachi
For a fun night time or rainy day activity in Kyoto, I recommend visiting Round One Kyoto Kawaramachi. This is a large amusement centre with arcade games, bowling, karaoke booths, billiards and darts. Please note that children under 16 are not allowed to enter Round One after 6pm (although they can attend with an adult guardian.) Those under 18 are not able to enter at all after 10pm.
SEE HERE FOR STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ON TAKING KIDS OUT TO KARAOKE IN JAPAN.
Round One Kyoto Kawaramachi is a few minutes walk from the Kyoto BAL shopping mall and 22 mins walk ( or 9 mins in a cab) from Kyoto Mimaru Shijo Suites. It is also 4 mins walk from Cross Hotel Kyoto. It is 8 mins in a cab from Mimaru Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo or 13 mins on public transport.
If visiting Round One from Kyoto Station, it is 13 mins (approx 1500 yen) by cab or 21 mins on public transport.
ROUND ONE KYOTO KAWARAMACHI
京都府京都市中京区河原町通三条下る山崎町250番地
250 YAMAZAKI-CHO, KAWARAMACHI-DORI, SANJO SAGARU, NAKAGYO-KU, KYOTOOPEN ON WEEKDAYS 10AM-MIDNIGHT
OPEN ON SATURDAYS 6AM-6AM THE FOLLOWING DAY
OPEN ON SUNDAYS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 6AM-MIDNIGHT
If you miss out on Round One in Kyoto, I speak of another in Osaka in my Osaka with Kids post.
Almost directly across the road is an affordable diner style family restaurant called Gusto (on the second floor.) I’ve written about Gusto in detail here. There is also a “Can Do” 100 yen store in the same building – on the ground and basement floors.
For excellent kitsch and cute shopping for kids I recommend Thank you Mart.
There is a Thank You Mart just 2 mins walk from Round One Kyoto Kawaramachi. Everything at Thank You Mart is 390 yen. Open 11am-8pm.
9. Toy Store & All You Can Eat Sukiyaki
I recommend walking to the shopping mall, Edion Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi(walking distance from Nishiki Market.) It is open until 8pm every day of the week. The baby change and feeding space is on the 6th floor.
There is also a toy store section down on the B1 floor and many of the trains etc are out for kids to play with.
There are also restaurants on the 7th and 8th floors.
I believe that the most family friendly option here is Tajimaya All-You-Can-Eat Shabu Shabu restaurant. For lunch I would budget around 1500 yen per person and 4000 yen for dinner. They love and welcome children here. You order as much meat and veggies as you like for 60 or 90 mins and cook the meat in a pot on your own table (don’t worry, they will show you how.) You can find a simple English menu for Tajimaya here. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. The entire restaurant is very casual (here are some pictures of the interior of this Tajimaya branch.) Make a reservation for this restaurant in English here (this is not only a good way to secure your booking but it also means that you can explain any dietary requirements or allergies ahead of time too.)
TAJIMAYA SHIJOKAWARAMACHI
京都府京都市下京区四条通河原町東入真町68番地 住友不動産京都ビルFOOD HALL 7F
EDION DEPARTMENT STORE FOOD HALL, 7TH FLOOR, 68 HIGASHI-IRUSHIN-CHO, KAWARAMACHI, SHIJO-DORI, SHIMOGYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR LUNCH 11AM-4PM
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR DINNER 4PM-11PM (LAST ORDERS AT 10:30PM)
Make a reservation for this restaurant in English here (this is not only a good way to secure your booking but it also means that you can explain any dietary requirements or allergies ahead of time too.)
This blog post contains some affiliate links. This means that I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using my link – at no additional charge to you.
