JAN 1-3, 2024: WHAT’S OPEN IN KYOTO?
I don’t want you to get caught out (like I have) during the New Year period in Kyoto ( or any part of Japan actually.)
Many people think I’m exaggerating almost EVERYTHING is closed down (especially once you step out of the city.)
I wanted to use this post to suggest some Jan 1-3, 2024 options. Especially for families who are looking for open options in Tokyo.
January 1-3 is the most “shut-down” you will ever see Japan be – with even some suburban convenience stores closing their doors 1-2 days.
If you are on holidays in Japan during this time, I highly recommend using this period of time to treat yourself to a ryokan or a hotel with beautiful baths and in-house restaurants. This is a great time to take a leaf out of the rest of Japan’s book and slow it all right down – experience Japan from your own special spot.
The early January break is actually a good thing as Japanese people rarely, rarely take holidays and this may be their only break.
Also, the city gets quiet as Japanese people travel to their hometowns and spend time with their family in the same way that we do, in Australia, at Christmas time.
I actually really, really love the quiet time.
With kids though… 2-3 days of hanging around at home makes me a little bit mental!
BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE, MAKE SURE YOU GET A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN HATSUMODE (THE FIRST SHRINE VISIT OF THE YEAR)
We like to go late on New Years Eve (but you can, like many Japanese people do, visit in the first week of the new year too) as we love to see lots of people dressed up in Kimono and we love how many of the bigger shrines have street food stalls and little carnival / festival style games for children. Yes it’s busy but not in a “New Year’s Eve bar” kind of way – in a “everyone at a bustling local carnival” kind of way. It’s a very family friendly experience. People visit shrines with kids in the evening of the 31st, a midnight or even in the very early hours like 2am or 4am. It’s all very family-friendly.
It’s also a special part of Japanese culture that only happens at this time of year. Why not bring in the new year in this special way – you and your family will remember it forever.
Make sure you take cash with you for street food and games – this isn’t a credit card kind of thing.
Fushimi Inari will be very popular but it’s also so easily accessible from Kyoto. It will be busy but easy too.
My general tips for Fushimi Inari are here .
As mentioned in my Fushimi Inari with kids post – don’t forget that, although most of the cafes and restaurants near by, this tiny little playground near the shrine never closes and can provide a little down time for little kids.
Okay … so the playground that we managed to find is NOT beautiful but if , like me, your kids need somewhere to play before or after the shrine this place is handy to have up your sleeve.
It’s right next to the train line at Fushimi Inari Station, on the Shrine side of the railway line.
It’s hidden behind the line of souvenir shops and an open-air coin parking.
There are two swings, a slide and a small lion statue to climb on.
You wouldn’t want to stay here forever but, still, my kids had a great time here here.
Another Hatsumode option is Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. It was built more than 1000 years ago.
Or maybe you’re like to go to Shinsen-en Garden to ring in the new year? It is just across from Nijo Castle. This place is famous for the garden but there is a temple in the garden and visitors are allowed to ring the bell in groups of three until the bell has been rung 108 times.
Another option is to go to Heian Jingu Shrine. The grounds are big so this spot feels less crowded. Here are my general tips for visiting Heian Jingu with kids.
There is also a little playground near Heian Jingu that never closes so it’s perfect if little ones need a little wriggle and play time.
Beautiful Yasaka Shrine is also very popular for visitors on New Year’s Eve and the first few days of the new year.
Also, Yasaka Shrine is 3 mins walk from Maruyama Park (which is also open, pics below.)
ANOTHER IDEA, LIKE MANY OTHERS ,CHOOSE A SPOT TO SEE THE SUNRISE ON THE MORNING OF JAN 1, 2024
A popular spot in Arashiyama is taking in the river and the bridge while the sun comes up.
If doing this with kids, I recommend keeping in mind that pretty much EVERYTHING will be closed so bring snacks and rug up. If you are taking taxis please remember that the wait will be long.
Here are my general Arashiyama with kids tips.
In Kyoto, options for doing this are endless but I’ll talk about the most popular options.
So here are the options for things that are still open in Kyoto between January 1st and January 3rd (please note that some places have usual opening hours until January 5th.)
Here are my picks for some suggestions for things to do for those empty/ extra days in Kyoto :
Okay, just a little tip if you’re ANYWHERE in Japan and need something to eat and basic supplies? Your local combini (convenience store) is the answer today.
Here are some suggestions for food that you can get at a convenience store that isn’t just junk food in Japan.
Head to a major hotel chain if you want to eat out.
Your Hiltons and Hyatts etc.
They will be open too. Their hours could be reduced though – and google doesn’t always keep up to date so best to check their website.
Don’t forget about department store dining options:
Aeon Mall Kaede near Kyoto Station
Jan 1: The Food Court & Restaurants open 10am-9pm, Supermarket & Drugstore open 9am-10pm
Jan 2&3: Business as usual
Kyoto Isetan
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Open from 10am
Daimaru Kyoto
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Open from 10am *expected to be extremely busy so doors may open 30 mins earlier. Doors will open on the ground floor at the Shijo Main Entrance, the Nishiki entrance and the basement Shijo Nishi (West) entrance only.
Jan 3: Business as usual
Takashimaya Kyoto
Jan 1: Completely closed
Jan 2: Open but I’m unsure of exact hours right now
OTHER PLACES OPEN IN KYOTO JAN 1-3, 2024
Maruyama Park
The park management office is closed Jan 1-3 but the park grounds themselves are open.
Umekoji Park & Playground
Around 8 mins by cab (a little under 1000 yen) from Kyoto Station is Umekoji Park that has a very decent sized playground and empty train carriages for kids to explore.
I’ve written all the details of Umekoji Park in Kyoto here. The Kyoto Railway Museum is also 3 minutes walk from Umekoji Park (please note that the Kyoto Railway Museum is closed on Jan 1, 2024)
Kyoto Railway Museum
Jan 1: Completely Closed
Jan 2&3: Business as usual
I have written in detail about the Kyoto Railway Museum with kids here. This museum really is fantastic and so well done.
Round 1 Games & Sport Centre
Jan 1-3: Business as usual but slightly more expensive holiday prices.
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.
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.
Takaragaike Park
Okay so on one of our visits to Kyoto with kids had been so good and patient that we really wanted to give them a decent wriggle around at a proper, spacious park.
To get to the park from central Kyoto , we took a taxi for about 20 minutes (approx 2,500 yen) to Kodomo no Rakuen in Takaragaike Koen (Takaragaike Park.) It was such a lovely change of pace and we stayed here for quiet a few hours. We had a little picnic and made use of the public restrooms to change nappies etc. Our taxi driver hadn’t heard of the park so we showed him this website.
If you’re going to the playground AFTER visiting Enkoji (I’m having a hard time finding when the temple is open over the new year period though) – take a taxi for 12 mins ( approx 1200 yen) or walk for 44 mins.
京都市左京区上高野流田町
KAMITAKANO NAGAREDA CHO, SAKYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN EVERYDAY 9AM-4:30PM (CLOSED OVER THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS)
ENTRANCE: FREE
WHAT’S OPEN IN THE KYOTO STATION BUILDING JAN 1-3, 2024?
For restaurants, its best to get your hotel to make reservations asap.
For starters, the rooftop viewing area inside Kyoto Station is always open. Follow all of those giant escalators to the top.
Jan 1:
A Chinese Restaurant called “Roppongi Rogairo” is open for dinner
Japanese restaurant “Ukihashi” at the Hotel Granvia is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (kids welcome here.)
Cafe Restaurant “Le Temps” (French/ Italian Buffet with lots of seafood options) is open for lunch and dinner. They have a kids menu, high chairs and space for strollers.
Casual Coffee and Sandwich Chain Store “Pronto” will be open 10am-11pm (it’s on the B1F of the Kyoto Station Building)
Convenience stores 7-Eleven and Heart-In are both open inside the station building.
Jan 2 & 3
Casual Japanese Bakery with a small eatーin area ”Vie de France” is open 7:30am-9pm * No reservation required. It is located on the B2 Floor.
OTHER RESTAURANTS OPEN IN KYOTO JAN 1 -3, 2024 (best to get your hotel to make you a reservation asap)
Tajimaya All-You-Can-Eat Shabu Shabu restaurant
Jan 1: Closed
Jan 2&3: Business as usual
This style of dining is so great for families. This restaurant is inside the Edion Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi on the 7th floor. Edion Shopping Mall is approx 6 mins walk from Nishiki Market or 10 mins walk from the Gion area.
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.)
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
There is also a baby feeding and changing areas on the 6th floor of this building.
Kyoto Engine Ramen
Jan 1 -3: Open but shorter business hours than normal. Only open 3pm-9pm
Kyoto Engine Ramen is 2 mins walk from Exit 10 of Kyoto Kawaramachi Station
I would budget approximately 1500 yen per adult here. Just a warning, the line is often long as this restaurant is very popular. Walk-ins only.
They do accept most major credit cards. This is not a vegan restaurant but has fabulous vegan options and gluten free options.
KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN
580-2 NAKANOCHO, NAKAGYO-KU
Mouriya Gion, Steak and Teppanyaki
Jan 1-3: Open but with an additional 10% service fee for the New Years season.
**Please note that this restaurant only welcomes children 10 years of age or older**
The Kobe beef restaurant Mouriya ( you’ll see it recommended in my Kobe with kids post) has a branch in Gion! Best to make reservations via tablecheck.com
Moriya Gion is high end beef so this is a special spot and so for lunch I would budget for 7000 yen per adult and 15,000 yen for dinner. This restaurant accepts most major credit cards and the whole venue is non-smoking. The Mouriya brand have been buying and cooking Kobe for more than 140 years. This restaurant is beautiful and is great for a very special occasion type of dinner.
Dress code is smart casual.
MOURIYA STEAK GION
京都市東山区大和町7-1祇園モーリヤビル
GION MOURIYA BUILDING, 7-1 YAMATOCHO, HIGASHIYAMA, KYOTO
**See here you’re after more information about visiting teppanyaki restaurants while in Japan as it is different to what you may have in your home country
