Kyoto in the summer months can be hard going if you are travelling with kids.
See here if you are interested in renting a bike in Kyoto – it can be a great way to get around. I have a list of great Kyoto options here – including some options that will deliver bikes to your hotel.
Please note that some splash pads allow or don’t allow swim diapers and some require “water shoes” (that just means little sandals on kids that they can wear in the water.)
I have lots of indoor and outdoor suggestions for travelling in Kyoto with kids here but if you need somewhere with a splash park or shallow pool for kids in Kyoto, I recommend these spots in Kyoto:
Umekoji Park (the park next to the Kyoto Railway Museum) have a waterpark for kids set up in summer months (In 2025 – this water play area is open from July 5 until September 28) Reservations required via the Viva Square Kyoto website here. Prices are around 1000-1300 yen per hour time slot. You can exit and re-enter as many times as you like within the same day!
If you have any problems with the website, ask the front desk at your hotel to help you read it in Japanese (as the site translates automatically into English otherwise and it’s a bit clunky.)
Prices: Junior High School Students and Older 1000 yen, 3 years old to 6th grade, 1600 yen, 2 year olds and younger 500 yen.
Within the same park is a free water splash area too. There is a small river area for kids to splash in.
The water is 10cms deep.
**A good hot weather option in Kyoto. Did you know there are sections of the Kamogawa River for kids to paddle or play on stepping stones. Please monitor kids carefully (this is a little river so there aren’t lifeguards or anything, of course.) In order to find it – put “Stepping Stones Sakyo Ward Kyoto” into google maps. From Kyoto Station, take a cab for 18 mins (around 4000 yen) or take a train to Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Line and walk for 20 mins. **
Photo courtesy of @emmajacquelyn
Photo courtesy of @emmajacquelyn
