For me, Kiyomizudera is a must – with or without- kids.
It’s a big walk up hill (after a bus ride from Kyoto Station) but the hill is part of the attraction. The whole path up is lined with souvenir shops ( quality of souvenir quality varies as you go) and little eateries.
Getting to Kiyomizudera
From Kyoto Station, take bus number 100 or 206. It takes around 25 mins and costs 230 yen each way. Or if you take a taxi it will take around 10-15 mins and cost around 2000 yen. Either way, there is no way to escape the steep 10 minute walk to the top to enter the temple.
*Also, if someone in your group has mobility issues or you are stuck for time to see the temples in Kyoto, it is possible to rent an English speaking taxi driver/tour guide. I can recommend booking with sightseeing taxi Hiroshi Taxi (prices listed on this website.)
One thing we did last year was walk to Kiyomizudera at sunset from Gion. It was a 15-20 minute walk and we had to carry the stroller up and down lots of stairs but it was just so, so, so amazing. It was like stepping back in time. I can’t believe how gorgeous it was. If you decide to do the same, please check the Kiyomizudera opening times as it is only open late during certain times of the year and I don’t want you to get stuck.
On the other side of the main temple structure is a little Japanese garden. My kids were delighted to spot koi and turtles.
KIYOMIZUDERA
京都市東山区清水1-294
1-294 KIYOMIZU, HIGASHIYAMA-KU, KYOTO
Kiyomizudera is open from 6am-6pm and until 6:30pm in Summer.
See here for my full Kyoto with Kids guide and tips.
THE STREETS NEAR KIYOMIZUDERA
RESTAURANTS NEAR KIYOMIZUDERA
If you’re looking for restaurants/ places to eat nearby ( that are also kid-friendly) I recommend the following spots:
Tokkyu Ramen
If you’re looking for delicious ( I’m talking really really casual hole in the wall type not a fancy restaurant ) ramen with meat, vegetarian AND vegan options – 5 mins walk from Kodaiji Temple & 11 mins walk from Kiyomizudera is a ramen shop called Tokkyu Ramen. This is a casual Mum & Pop style ramen restaurant (usually only one person behind the counter but service is so fast) and is so yummy. They also sell gyoza. Cash only. Non-smoking.
TOKKYU RAMEN
30-4 BISHAMONCHO, HIGASHIYAMA-KU, KYOTO
OPEN 11:30AM-MIDNIGHT
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
TOKKYU RAMEN WEBSITE (JAPANESE ONLY BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF MENU PICS)
Chao Chao Gyoza Shijo-Kawaramachi
This cozy gyoza restaurant is English friendly and will take you back towards Nishiki Market ( see here for more information on this and more things like this to do with kids in Kyoto) – it is 10 minutes in a cab (approx 900 yen) from Kiyomizudera or 22 minutes walk.
Their specialty are hitokuchi ( bite sized) gyoza. I would budget for a lunch of around 1500 yen per adult. The “set meals” are around 1300 yen.
serve meat and meat-free gyoza. They also have vegan options.
They do accept most major credit cards. The restaurant is completely non-smoking.
To continue on to Nishiki Market from this restaurant takes around 9 mins on foot.
CHAO CHAO GYOZA SHIJO-KAWARAMACHI
河原町通四条下ル順風町312-1
OPEN ON WEEKDAYS 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-11PM
OPEN ON WEEKENDS 11:30AM-11PM ( CLOSES AT 9PM ON SUNDAYS)
OR !!
For a Champagne and Gyoza spot – a really casual but cute thing to do, walk 4 minutes from Nishiki Market or take a 10 min ( approx 900 yen) cab from Kiyomizudera to Gyotako – a standing Champagne, Gyoza and Takoyaki Bar. Takeaway food is fine too. There are a few tables out the front (stand and eat only) and more on the second floor and the restaurant is more like a permanent food truck. Totally fine to take kids just be warned that the seating upstairs is all bar stools at counters.
The menu is small ; they have (and only have) Takoyaki, Gyoza, Kobe Beef Gyoza, Champagne by the glass (only one type) , Highballs, Beer, White or Red Wine, Cola, Oolong tea.
Closest train station to this restaurant is “Kyoto Kawaramachi” Station ( 160 metres away.)
KYOTO GYOTAKO
京都市中京区中之町５４５-３
545-3 NAKANO-CHO, NAKAGYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN EVERYDAY 11:30AM-9PM
Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants
If you are looking for vegan options in Kyoto, I recommend trying the restaurant Veg Out by the river near Shichijo Station exit 3 (Keihin Line.)
This restaurant does except reservations ( and I recommend doing so as the restaurant only has 26 seats.)
For lunch I’d expect to pay around 1500 yen for an adult and double that amount for dinner. They do accept most major credit cards. This is a non-smoking restaurant. This restaurant also has a lovely view of the river.
This restaurant is 11 minutes walk from Kyoto Station- via the Karasuma Main Exit, 9 mins by taxi ( approx 800 yen) from Kiyomizudera or 15 mins taxi ( approx 1800 yen) from the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
This restaurant is 12 mins by car from Kiyomizudera or 24 mins on foot.
VEG OUT
下京区七条通加茂川筋西入ル稲荷町448 鴨川ビル1F
GROUND FLOOR, KAMOGAWA BUILDING, 44 INARI-CHO, SHIMOGYO, KYOTO
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-6PM (LAST ORDERS AT 5:30PM)
VEG OUT WEBSITE
HAPPY COW REVIEW OF VEG OUT
OR If you’re looking for a modern yet casual vegetarian or vegan lunch or early dinner, Pettirosso Kyoto. Check here as their opening times do vary. This restaurant only serves dinner on weekdays and dinner AND lunch on weekends and they also sell order-made vegan cakes.
This restaurant is located near Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station and Karasuma Station.
If you travel here from Kiyomizudera it will take 11 mins in a taxi ( approx 1000 yen.). If coming from Kyoto Station, it will take approximately 15 mins by train (220 yen), 15 mins by taxi ( approx 1000 yen) or 26 mins on foot.
I would budget 2000 yen for an adult meal here.
This is a cash only restaurant.
PETTIROSSO KYOTO
京都府京都市下京區塗師屋町92-2
92 NUSHIYACHO, SHIMOGYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM – 3PM ( OR UNTIL SOLD OUT)
OPEN AS A CAFE 2:30PM-6PM ( LAST ORDER 5PM)
CLOSED MONDAYS & TUESDAYS
PETTIROSSO KYOTO WEBSITE
If you are craving okonomiyaki – then…Gion Tanto ( Vegan Okonomiyaki Option Available)
It is 21 mins walk from Kiyomizudera ( or 12 mins, approx 900 yen in a cab) or 400 metres from Gion Shijo Station.
Accepts Reservations? YesAccepts Most Major Credit Cards? Yes
Please note that this is NOT a non-smoking restaurant so you may be sat with smoking clientele. For this reason, I recommend going at the start or end of lunch & dinner sessions.
This is a casual hole in the wall style restaurant. It’s fab for people-watching and good local food. The Okonomiyaki is cooked in front of you. Other options include yakisoba ( my kids’ favourite), negiyaki and yaki-udon
They also have a vegan okonomiyaki option.
They have an English menu.
Read here for how to order a vegetarian version of okonomiyaki
I’d budget around 2000 yen per adult for lunch or dinner.
GION TANTO
京都府東山区清本町372
372 KIYOMOTOCHO, HIGASHIYAMA-KU, KYOTO
OPEN FOR LUNCH 12PM-3PM (LAST ORDERS 2:30PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER 5PM-10PM (LAST ORDERS 9:30PM)
CLOSED SOMETIMES ON THURSDAYS SO CHECK THE GION TANTO WEBSITE
The Sodoh
If you take my tip and take the walk from Gion to Kiyomizu, I recommend dining at the restaurant Sodoh. It is a restaurant in an old traditional Japanese house. The cuisine is Italian but has the garden has been kept the same and it has such a special feel. As many people go there for romantic dates or birthday celebrations, I recommend booking ahead and getting the first seating of the night when dining with kids – that’s what we always do.
We try to visit here every time we visit Kyoto. We love it so much.
The service is fantastic, the staff speak beautiful English and they also will make up a simple tomato based pasta dish for children on request & they also have a children’s menu. This is the Sodoh Website.
For an adult, I would budget for around 4000 yen for lunch or 8000 yen for dinner. Please note that there is a 10% table service charge.
They accept most major credit cards.
The restaurant is a no-smoking restaurant with a small smoking area outside.
They do have a vegetarian menu.
They will store your stroller for you while you dine.
The restaurant is 10 minutes walk from Kiyomizudera or 15 mins by taxi ( approx 1500 yen) from Kyoto Station or 17 minutes walk from Kawaharamachi Station ( Hankyu Line) via Exit 2.
東山区八坂通下河原東入ル八坂上町366
366 YASAKA KAMICHO, SHIMOGAWARA , HIGASHIYAMA-KU, KYOTO
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11AM-2PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 5PM-10:30PM ( LAST FOOD ORDERS AT 8:30PM)
THE SODOH ARE SOMETIMES CLOSED FOR PRIVATE FUNCTIONS SO PLEASE CALL AHEAD
THE SODOH ENGLISH WEBSITE
A gluten free cafe
Koma Gallery Cafe is a gluten free cafe. It is possible to make reservations but it is rarely busy so you could also try for a walk-in. There is also a beautiful little garden at the back of the cafe. Muffins, pastries and sandwiches. The cafe is in the Higashiyama / Gion district and this little hidden gluten free gem is also in a beautiful old Japanese building – in keeping with the feel of the area.
This cafe is close to Yasaka Shrine and 9 mins walk from Kiyomizudera.
KOMA GALLERY CAFE
東山区八坂通東大路東入2丁目金園町397
397 KINENCHO, YASAKA-DORI, HIGASHIOJI HIGASHIIRI, HIGASHIYAMA-KU
OPEN 10AM-7PM
Did you know that there is Starbucks just 9 mins walk from Kiyomizudera that is “traditional Japanese style” inside?
This is the first Starbucks in the world to be built inside a Japanese tea house (a Machiya.)
This Starbucks has tatami floors in the dine in area upstairs (that does mean that it’s a shoes off area, of course.) It’s really cool. Warning: this Starbucks is very popular during peak season and on weekends.
When popping it into google, the official name is Starbucks Coffee – Kyoto Nineizaka Yasaka Chaya. Most major credit cards accepted. This Starbucks is also 2 mins walk from Kodaiji Temple.
京都市東山区高台寺南門通下河原東入桝屋町349
349 MASUYACHO, KODAIJI, MINAMI-MON DORI, SHIMOKAWARA, HIGASHI-IRU, HIGASHIYAMA-KU, KYOTO
OPEN 8AM-8PM
From Kiyomizudera, I recommend walking through Higashiyama and through Gion at night. Spectacular.
