Insiders tip for Arashiyama !!!
If you’re traveling in high season (mainly during cherry blossom season or when the leaves are changing in autumn) or a long weekend, go EARLY and get to the bamboo forest first.
Another bonus tip??!!! Don’t let the rain stop you. It actually looks even MORE beautiful in the rain AND it keeps many others away ! ( I explain why in more detail below.)
Please note that Arashiyama IS part of Kyoto – but my Kyoto with kids blog is now so full of ideas that I have decided to break it all up and keep Arashiyama to it’s very own blog post.
Packing & Planning for Arashiyama:
Please note that this is mostly an outside day. So please dress accordingly.
There are two stations in Arashiyama on different lines – it doesn’t matter which one you choose as the bamboo forest is kind of between the two (Arashiyama and Saga-Arashiyama Station) so just choose the most convenient for you.
Please also note that there aren’t as many western dining options in Arashiyama (there are convenience stores near the stations) so, if this is going to be a problem for someone in your family, might be best to have some familiar snacks and sandwiches in your bag.)
For hot, wet days – I also recommend packing mosquito repellant.
One of my favourite places to visit in all of Japan is Arashiyama. You would have already seen it on social media before, no doubt. It’s that stunning bamboo forest place.
I recommend riding bikes around town so you can take it all in. Yes they rent out those bikes with the child seats on the front and back too.
We’ve also done it many times on foot/stroller and that also worked beautifully for us.
Another great thing about Arashiyama is that the locals actually point out that this small town is actually MORE beautiful in the rain and yes, we can vouch for that too. Absolutely stunning. In fact, we rode a jinrikisha (Japanese rickshaw) and they gave us all blankets and hot pockets to hold. It was so cozy that our youngest fell asleep!!!
So I obviously recommend a walk through the bamboo forest and I also really like taking the kids to Tenryuji Temple. It’s kind of connected to the bamboo forest so that makes it an easy visit. This is a great place to try Shojin Ryori (a Japanese buddhist meal) and I talk about it more here.
Tenryuji Temple pictured below.
You can take a boat trip down the famous Hozugawa River (even in winter as there is a kotatsu – a heated table with a blanket attached- inside!)
With kids, I’d be sure to bring lots of your own snacks (and top up at the combinis there if you need) as a lot of the restaurants serve udon and yu-dofu (tofu cooked in hot water) which famous in this area – I wish my kids would eat that but unfortunately not. There are few mediocre Italian restaurants at the non-river end of the street but I’d stick with Japanese food or close to the tourist information centre if I were you.
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend the Monkey Park – but maybe I’m biased as I don’t like monkeys and their germs around my children. I also know a friend who had an angry monkey chase their 4 year old here so that has also put me off. It’s your call though, of course.
However, if you DO decide it’s something you’re keen on doing – you can leave your strollers at the bottom section if you’d like OR you can use the very steep accessible ramp- once up the initial set of stairs – the rest is quite stroller accessible.
Lunch suggestion: Kaiseki Dining
A wonderful spot to try traditional kaiseki style dining in Japan is at Kumahiko. Kaiseki dining with children, outside of a ryokan, is not always the easiest option but this is a wonderful place to try traditional kaiseki dining.
Reservations are possible but are required at least 2 days in advance – for both lunch and dinner. Cancellation charges also apply.
Please note that this is fine dining and the budget for lunch is approximately 6000 yen and dinner is more like 18,000 yen.
The menu is based on ingredients of the season. Although the menu on the Kumahiko website is in Japanese, the prices and the pictures will give you a good idea of what types of food to expect. There is also a children’s menu.
The restaurant is right next to the Togetsu Bridge so, as you can imagine, the views are spectacular.
Kumahiko accepts most major credit cards.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
ARASHIYAMA KUMAHIKO
京都市右京区嵯峨天竜寺芒ノ馬場町5-1
5-1 SAGATENRYUJI SUSUKINOBABACHO, UKYO-KU, KYOTO
OPEN FOR LUNCH: 11:30AM-3PM ( LAST ORDERS 2PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER: 5PM-9PM (LAST ORDERS 8PM)
CLOSED TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
Lunch suggestion: Sushi with a gluten free menu
Sushi Naritaya is off the main street and the staff understand about gluten free sensitivities. The sushi is made right in front of you. 2 mins walk from Arashiyama Station. Walk-ins are fine. Budget for lunch ? Approx 2000 yen per person. Children are welcome (no options but rice and sushi/sashimi though.) There is space to store a stroller while you dine. Sushi Naritaya accepts most major credit cards. There is an English menu here.
SUSHI NARITAYA
OPEN EVERYDAY BUT WEDNESDAY 11AM-3PM
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
There is a fantastic coffee shop right on the river called % Arabica Kyoto Arashiyama open 8am – 6pm.
For something close to the station on the way back, my kids quite enjoy a walk through the “Kimono Forest.” It’s a short, but pretty, art installation just one min walk from Arashiyama Station or 8 mins from JR Arashiyama Station. It lights up at night but is also pretty in the day time. My kids also loved throwing a coin in the pond too and making a wish.
There is a Tully Coffee (open daily 9am-8pm) right near the entrance so grown ups could grab a takeaway coffee for the little walk through the kimono forest. It only takes a couple of minutes and makes for some cute pictures. If you have a toddler or a newly walking baby, this is great place to “set them free” to wriggle for a little bit.
Just 1 minute walk from the Kimono Forest and Arashiyama Station, if you’re looking for lunch option with kids. I recommend Obu Cafe. There is a terrace out the back with outdoor seating. This cafe doesn’t accept reservations. I would budget 2000 yen per adult to eat here. Obu Cafe accepts most major credit cards. They have an English menu and a vegetarian menu. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. This cafe welcomes children and babies – they have a children’s plate too (a mild Japanese curry served with rice and other cute little sides for 800 yen). It’s a casual spot so zero pressure for kids to be really quiet or anything. The restaurant itself is lovely and spacious (for Japan.) I recommend eating the Yaki-Udon (Stir-fried Udon Noodles) or the chocolate waffles.
OBU CAFE, ARASHIYAMA
京都市佐賀天竜寺造路町20-1 はんなりほっこりスクエア 2F
2ND FLOOR, HANNARI HOKKORI SQUARE, 20-1 TSUKURIMICHO, SAGATENRYUJI, KYOTO
OPEN 11AM-6:30PM
Just 3 mins walk from Arashiyama Station is Miffy Sakura Kitchen. A Japanese bakery with Miffy shaped breads and pastries. This bakery accepts most major credit cards. The Miffy Sakura Kitchen is a takeout-only bakery. All breads and pastries are under 1000 yen.
京都市佐賀天竜寺造路町20-27
20-27 TSUKURIMICHO, SAGATENRYUJI, KYOTO
OPEN 10AM-6PM
And while you’re in Arashiyama, why not do a shoot like this? All the details are Arashiyama Photo Shoot details are here.
