Kyoto · Family travel
Where to Stay in Kyoto with Kids Around Just Two Subway Lines
August 2, 2026 · last updated · about 3 min read
Where to Stay in Kyoto with Kids Around Just Two Subway Lines
Kyoto's subway has only two lines - Karasuma (north-south) and Tozai (east-west) - meeting at Karasuma-Oike. Most temples, including Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, and Arashiyama, sit outside either line's reach, needing a bus or JR ride. Pick a base that limits transfers with kids in tow.
Areas that suit families
- Kyoto Station area: Good for arrival day - the Haruka airport express from Kansai Airport (KIX) ends here, and both subway lines connect onward. Easy with strollers, though it feels modern rather than traditional.
- Shijo-Karasuma corridor: A few stops north on the Karasuma line, shopping streets next to quiet residential blocks, with subway access without the station-area feel.
- Demachiyanagi (Tozai line east end): Near the Kamo riverbank for kids to run along the water, close to Shimogamo Shrine. Quieter, good for downtime.
- Arashiyama: Reached by JR or the Randen tram, not the subway. Only worth it as a daily base - commuting back and forth adds up with children.
Connecting to the sights
The Higashiyama temples and Fushimi Inari need a bus or JR ride from any subway-adjacent base. Buses get crowded midday, so a folded stroller and small kids on a standing-room bus is worth planning around.
What to check before booking
- Whether the station on your route has an elevator, not only stairs.
- Walking distance from station to hotel - some lanes are narrow for wheeled luggage.
- Family or connecting room availability, and nearby pharmacy access.
Timing and availability
Cherry blossom season (late March-early April) and autumn foliage (November) bring the tightest availability and busiest buses - book ahead. Golden Week and summer school holidays also raise family demand for these areas.
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Things to see in Kyoto
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Temples & religious sites
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple at the foot of the mountains in eastern Kyoto, formally known as Otowasan Kiyomizu-dera. It is the head temple of the Kita Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism, its principal image is the eleven-headed Kannon, and it is the 16th temple on the Saikoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
Temples & religious sites
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kinkaku-ji, formally known as Rokuon-ji, is a Rinzai Zen temple whose symbol is the three-story reliquary hall (Shariden) seen across the pond, Kyoko-chi. Its top two floors are covered in gold leaf, which is why it's more commonly called the "Golden Pavilion." The current building is a 1955 reconstruction, and visitors view it and the surrounding garden while walking the path along the pond rather than entering it.
Temples & religious sites
Fushimi Inari-taisha
Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of all Inari shrines across Japan, located at the foot of Mount Inari. The main draw is the Senbon Torii, thousands of vermilion torii gates forming a tunnel along the path that winds up to the summit.
Nature
Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a district on Kyoto's western outskirts, set against the mountains rising beyond the Oi River. Designated a national historic and scenic site, it offers a walkable landscape combining riverside views, a bamboo grove path, and nearby temples.
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