When visiting the historic city of Kyoto with your family, you may be concerned about balancing quiet time for adults with time for children to enjoy themselves to the fullest. However, Kyoto offers a warm welcome to modern families. Whether it’s a day spent taking in the sights at temples and shrines, or a leisurely day spent relaxing in the hotel, children can play, learn, and experience Kyoto in safety while the adults in the family enjoy their own time.
In this article we provide a number of recommendations for hotels and services that provide rewarding experiences for parents and children alike.
Hotel Information
These carefully selected hotels in Kyoto offer facilities such as kids’ clubs run by experienced staff. Their appeal is that the guests can experience Kyoto not only throughout the city but also within the hotel itself. When children take the lead—playing, learning, and engaging with tradition—their time in Kyoto becomes a truly special journey.
Six Senses Kyoto
The Higashiyama district is home to many sites where you can encounter traditional Japanese culture, such as Gion, Yasaka-jinja Shrine, and the Kiyomizu-dera and Nanzen-ji Temples. Located in this tranquil district, Six Senses Kyoto is a luxury resort that blends wellness, sustainability, and the refined beauty of the Heian Period (794–1185). This hotel offers a sanctuary where guests can sharpen their senses and reconnect with themselves.
The Six Senses Hotel offers a dedicated play space that guests staying overnight can use free of charge. English is used in the Grow With Six Senses kids’ club, where children aged five to twelve can take part in activities independently while the adults in the family enjoy dining or the hotel spa. Children four and younger are welcome to play freely when accompanied by a parent or guardian, making this an environment where the whole family can relax.
Time: 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM (closed from 2 PM to 3 PM)
There are many ways to make use of these facilities. For example, while parents work quietly in their guest room, children can enjoy activities at Grow With Six Senses, which can also be a refreshing option between returning from sightseeing and dinner. Grow With Six Senses has been well received for the opportunity it provides everyone on a family trip to enjoy their own unique time, resulting in a satisfying stay.
The Grow With Six Senses kids’ club reflects the hotel’s concept, offering different activities every day of the week so that children can continue to enjoy this experience even during a long stay. Some of the activities on offer include origami workshops and crafts, as well as simple Japanese language classes.
The club provides an atmosphere that allows children from a variety of countries to fit in easily. Dedicated English-speaking kids’ club hosts engage with each child on a one-to-one basis and suggest activities tailored to their individual interests and needs.
Grow With Six Senses offers plastic-free toy-crafting activities as well as games that children can enjoy with new friends. Using everyday materials, they can try their hand at upcycling items into fun creations such as fortune-telling “omikuji” strips made from milk cartons, “kendama” and other traditional Japanese toys, and paper-clay sushi. The appeal of these activities lies in bringing home travel memories, as well as sustainable play ideas that children can put to practice after returning from their trip.
Grow With Six Senses welcomes children of ages five to twelve and does not require an advance reservation. Please contact us in advance if you require separate babysitting service (payment required).
Although many facilities offer kids’ clubs, Six Senses Kyoto always has dedicated English-speaking staff on hand, with hosts welcoming children as valued guests in their own right. Through play, children learn about the hotel’s philosophy of wellness and sustainability.
The defining feature of this facility is that it shares the hotel’s philosophy and wellness values with children themselves.
The hotel offers a beautiful pool that parents and children can enjoy together (children’s hours of access are restricted). Swimwear is also available for rent (subject to availability).
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Other hotels with helpful services for families traveling with children and concept rooms designed to spark the imagination:
The Ritz Carlton Kyoto: “Ritz Kids” activities available
Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto: Toy lending service available
Pokémon rooms available at the following locations:
- MIMARU Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo
- MIMARU Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo
- MIAMRU Kyoto Nishinotoin Takatsuji
- MIMARU Kyoto STATION
Babysitting and Cultural Care & Experience
Some facilities offer experienced staff who truly understand children’s needs and can help to make their experience in Japan one to treasure. Here we introduce facilities where English-speaking staff are available.
ULU
This is a spot for Japanese children to learn and play in English after school. Children visiting on sightseeing trips are welcomed as special guests and can enjoy activities alongside Japanese children of the same age. This time spent interacting with local children is sure to be a memorable Japanese experience for them.
Although it may be somewhat difficult for adults to make new friends while traveling, children are able to open up to each other with surprising ease through play. ULU provides a place for them to spend time alongside local children and encounter Japan in a way that goes beyond simply visiting tourist spots. Experiencing ULU is sure to make Japan feel closer and more familiar to them.
ULU is staffed by people of many different nationalities. Since English is the common language, children naturally settle into the group from the start without feeling any language barrier. At ULU, everything begins with children’s likes and interests, and they may take part in English-language programs that include activities such as crafts, cooking, computer programming, and experiments utilizing everyday materials. On occasion, the group takes a walk to nearby To-ji temple. Activities are available for children aged two and above. Services such as diaper changing are available for very young children.
Open: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Reservations required: Reserve from the WhatsApp URL included at the bottom of the article.
ULU is more than just a childcare facility; it offers an at-home atmosphere rooted in intercultural exchange. The multinational staff, who share this philosophy, support each child with care and sincerity, working to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time together.
ULU integrates activities from Japan and other cultures in a flexible manner based on each child’s interests and preferences, which results in an extremely high level of satisfaction among participants. It is not uncommon for children trying it out for the first time to enjoy the experience so much that they come back for a repeat visit.
Here, the children themselves take center stage, enjoying cross-cultural exchanges that transcend borders. This is a valuable opportunity rarely found in everyday life.
Scan here to make a reservation on WhatsApp
| Access | Approximately 6 minutes’ walk from To-ji Station |
Libraries and other places where children can experience Japanese culture and language, as well as childcare facilities where children can spend time safely:
Hotel Okura Kyoto Kids Square: In-hotel childcare facility
Arihana Kyoto: Facilities where you can enjoy traditional Japanese games
English Picture Book Saika: English-language picture books for sale
Tips for Enjoying Comfortable Dining as a Family
Allergy considerations: While many restaurants in Kyoto take food allergies seriously, it is often difficult to make arrangements if you ask on the day of your visit. If you need to avoid certain food ingredients, please ask when making your reservation.
Use private rooms: If you are concerned about your child being noisy or disruptive, try choosing a restaurant that has private rooms available. This will let you enjoy a leisurely family meal without worrying about drawing attention from others.
