After our time in Tokyo, we were ready to slow things down a little and experience a different side of Japan. Kyoto was the perfect change of pace—beautiful temples and shrines, traditional neighborhoods, amazing food, and plenty of fun stops that kept the kids interested.
Day 1 — 🚄 Bullet Train, teamLab Kyoto & Fire Ramen!
We arrived in Kyoto by bullet train, which was an adventure in itself. The train was incredibly smooth and fast, and before we knew it, we had arrived and were ready to start exploring.
Our first stop was teamLab Biovortex Kyoto, which was conveniently within walking distance of the station. This made it a great first activity since we could head straight there without worrying about getting our luggage all the way to the hotel.
Even better, teamLab had luggage storage, so we were able to stash our backpacks and enjoy the experience without dragging them around. The kids loved the interactive exhibits, where lights, colors, and digital artwork surrounded us and changed as we moved through the different rooms. It was a fun introduction to Kyoto and definitely something different from the traditional sightseeing we would be doing over the next few days.
After teamLab, we grabbed a taxi to the Hyatt Place Kyoto. Our larger suitcases weren’t scheduled to arrive until around 8 PM, so we decided not to pack the day too full. We relaxed at the hotel, explored a little around the area, and basically enjoyed some downtime after traveling.
For dinner, we headed to Menbaka Fire Ramen—and this was definitely not your ordinary bowl of ramen! 🍜🔥 Reservations recommended. Good menu choices for different diets.
The restaurant is famous for its dramatic fire ramen, where the ramen is served with a spectacular burst of flames. It was fun to watch, and the kids were completely fascinated. Once the excitement settled down, we could actually enjoy the ramen itself: rich broth, noodles with a great chewy texture, and flavorful toppings. It was one of those meals that was as much about the experience as the food.
After dinner, we headed back to the Hyatt, finally reunited with our luggage, and called it a night. We were exhausted—but excited for a full day of Kyoto sightseeing ahead.
Day 2 — ⛩️ Torii Gates, Bamboo Forests & Market Lunch
Day 2 was our big Kyoto sightseeing day, and we packed a lot into one day!
Viator: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car
Our first stop was Fushimi Inari, one of Kyoto’s most famous sights. The shrine is known for its thousands of bright orange torii gates, which wind their way up the mountain. Walking through the gates was an incredible experience—the color, the traditional architecture, and the forest surrounding the path made it feel completely different from anywhere we had been before.
From there, we made our way to Arashiyama, home of the famous Bamboo Forest. Walking through the towering bamboo was one of those quintessential Kyoto experiences. The bamboo rises high above the pathway, creating a peaceful, almost magical atmosphere.
After all that walking, we were definitely ready for lunch!
We headed to Nishiki Market, often called Kyoto’s “Kitchen.” This was a great place to wander through the narrow market streets and see all the different foods and snacks being prepared. There were colorful displays, little food stalls, sweets, pickled vegetables, grilled items, and plenty of things we’d never seen before.
It was also a fun way to let everyone pick something different rather than sitting down for one big meal. We sampled our way through lunch and enjoyed the lively atmosphere before heading back to the hotel.
That evening, we decided to keep things simple and went to Sukiya, a casual Japanese fast-food restaurant. Sukiya specializes in hearty bowls of meat and rice, and it was exactly what we needed after a long day.
The ordering system was incredibly easy. There was an English option right on the touchscreen, so even though we didn’t speak Japanese, ordering was basically foolproof. The meals were inexpensive, quick, filling, and surprisingly tasty—perfect for a night when nobody wanted a long dinner.
Sometimes after a full day of sightseeing, a quick bowl of rice and beef is exactly what you need!
Day 3 — 🍜 We Made Ramen! Shopping & Yakitori
Day 3 was probably one of the kids’ favorite days in Kyoto because we got to do something rather than just see something.
We signed up for a ramen and gyoza cooking class at The Cozy Kitchen through Viator, and it was such a fun experience. The kids got to be hands-on with the cooking, including preparing ingredients, slicing, dicing, and helping put everything together.
And yes, there was plenty of slicing and dicing—but not too much, LOL. 😉
The class was relaxed and approachable, which made it perfect for the kids. The best part was sitting down afterward and actually eating what we had made. There is something extra satisfying about a bowl of ramen when you have helped prepare it yourself!
We followed up our cooking class with some shopping at Kyoto Loft. If you have kids—or adults—who love stationery, this place is dangerous! 😂
The store had an amazing selection of Japanese stationery, notebooks, pens, stickers, organizers, and all kinds of clever little supplies. The kids could have spent hours looking at everything. It was also one of those stores where you find things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them.
For dinner, we went to Yakitori Daikichi, a casual restaurant specializing in yakitori, or Japanese grilled chicken skewers.
The chicken is cooked over a grill and served on skewers with different seasonings and sauces. We tried several varieties, and the smoky, grilled flavor was fantastic. The restaurant had that cozy Japanese atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a neighborhood spot rather than a tourist restaurant.
The food was delicious, but what really stood out was the hospitality. Everyone was welcoming and friendly, and the whole experience felt authentically Japanese.
It was a great way to end our final full day in Kyoto.
Day 4 — 🦌 Nara on the Way to Osaka
It was time to say goodbye to Kyoto and continue our Japan adventure.
Instead of taking the train directly to Osaka, we booked a Daytrip private transfer that allowed us to stop in Nara along the way. It was a great option because we could travel with our luggage and turn the transfer day into another sightseeing day.
Nara was a fun change of scenery and a perfect stop between Kyoto and Osaka. After exploring, we continued on to Osaka, ready for the next chapter of our trip.
Kyoto gave us a little bit of everything—ancient shrines, bamboo forests, interactive art, incredible food, shopping, cooking, and plenty of memorable family experiences. And with Osaka next, our Japan adventure was just getting better! ❤️
