Kyoto 5-Day Itinerary for Families with Children

Five days lets families with children settle into a relaxed pace - covering the iconic Kyoto sights, adding indoor backup days, and finishing with a Nara day trip that children consistently rate as their Japan highlight.

Los Angeles to Kansai International: Main gateway for Kyoto Los Angeles to Osaka Itami: Domestic flights only

Days 1-3 follow the Kyoto 3-Day Children's Itinerary. Days 4 and 5 go further.

Days 1-3 - Core Family Circuit

Days 1-3

Follow the 3-Day Children's Plan

Day 1: Arashiyama Monkey Park → Bamboo Grove → Tenryu-ji.
Day 2: Toei Kyoto Studio Park → Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Day 3: Kyoto Railway Museum → Kyoto Aquarium (perfect rainy-day backup).
See the Kyoto 3-Day Children's Itinerary for full details.

Day 4 - Fushimi Inari (First Tunnel) · Fushimi Sweet Shops

Morning · 9:00

Fushimi Inari Shrine - First Tunnel Only

Plan: Do the first section only - the famous Senbon Torii tunnel to the first clearing (25-30 min each way). This is completely achievable for children aged 4+ and covers the most photogenic section.
Return: Come back down via the souvenir stalls at the base - fox (kitsune) omamori charms make great souvenirs for children (¥500-800).
Cost: Free. Opens all hours. Go at 9am to beat the crowds.
Time: 1.5 hrs total including souvenir shopping.

🚇 10 min - JR Nara Line from Inari Station north to Fushimi-Momoyama (¥150)

Afternoon · 12:00

Fushimi Sake District - Wagashi Sweet Shops

What: Fushimi's old sake-brewing district is also home to specialist wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) shops - perfect for children who have been enjoying matcha treats. Try nama yatsuhashi (soft cinnamon-and-anko rice cake, ¥600/box), matcha daifuku, and seasonal mochi.
Canal streets: The willow-lined Fushimi canal is flat, beautiful, and perfect for a post-lunch walk. The atmosphere is completely unlike central Kyoto - unhurried, historical, and authentic.
Lunch: Kushikatsu or udon restaurants along the main Fushimi street. Budget ¥800-1,200 per person.
Time: 2 hrs for lunch, sweets, and the canal walk.

Day 5 - Nara Deer Park Day Trip

Morning · 9:00

Travel to Nara + Deer Park

Getting there: Kintetsu Limited Express from Kintetsu-Kyoto Station to Kintetsu-Nara (45 min, ¥760 adults / ¥380 children). The most direct option - no transfers.
Deer Park: Over 1,200 wild sika deer roam freely. Children absolutely love this - deer will approach and bow for crackers. Buy shika senbei deer crackers at park gates (¥200 per bundle). Teach children to hold crackers flat to avoid deer grabbing with their mouths.
Safety: Deer are gentle but will headbutt persistently if they see food. Keep crackers hidden in a bag when not feeding. Deer antlers are trimmed in October for safety.

🚶 15 min walk north through the deer park

Afternoon · 11:00

Todai-ji Great Buddha

What: Japan's largest bronze Buddha (14.7m tall) inside the world's largest wooden building. Children are awestruck by the sheer scale.
The pillar: A wooden pillar has a hole the same size as Buddha's nostril - passing through is said to bring enlightenment. Children love this and line up willingly. Allow 15-20 min for the queue.
Cost: ¥600 adults / ¥300 children (aged 6-17) / free under 6.
Lunch: Food stalls and restaurants outside the Todai-ji east entrance. Deer will approach lunch spots - eat inside a restaurant rather than outdoors.

Afternoon · 14:30

Return to Kyoto

Plan: Return by 3-4pm. Children will be tired after the Nara day - easy dinner near the hotel. This is consistently the favourite day for children on any Japan trip.

Before You Go

Nara deer crackers strategy. Buy one bundle per child (¥200), feed them together, then hide the wrappers. Once the crackers are gone, the deer move on to the next visitor - no need to feel guilty about "running out".

Fox souvenirs at Fushimi Inari. Ceramic and wooden kitsune (fox) statues are the shrine's symbol - every size from ¥400 to ¥3,000. Children love the little fox guardians and they make very Kyoto-specific souvenirs.

Kintetsu to Nara. Kintetsu-Kyoto Station is in the basement of Kyoto Station - follow signs for "Kintetsu". Limited Express (tokkyuu) trains run every 30 min. Children under 6 travel free; ages 6-11 half adult fare.

Search Flights to Kansai (Kyoto / Osaka)

Find flights to KIX - 75 min by Haruka Express to Kyoto Station.