Since we are moving to Ireland in a few weeks, we jumped at the chance to get one last trip in for Lunar New Year before we leave Asia. Flights to Kyoto weren’t expensive, so we traveled to Japan for 5 days and braved the cold weather.

Mimaru Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo

This apartment hotel was perfect for us as a family! We chose a layout that had a bedroom with a main bed and bunkbeds, a living room, small kitchenette, and bathroom. We simply removed the mattress from the bottom bunk bed and set up our daughter’s travel crib in there, and it was a cozy nook for her to sleep in while we stayed up at night in the living room. The staff was super friendly, and the location was great in terms of being a few blocks from the train, and within walking distance to plenty of restaurants and sights.

Before our trip, we didn’t look up any places for meals. So everyday we would simply look at our phones and see what was nearby or walk around and use the plastic food displays outside to make our decisions on where to eat. These are some of the restaurants we ended up at.

Ukiya

A small restaurant with incredible soba and tempura. I could have eaten here for every meal! Be sure to walk down Pontocho Alley before or after dinner.

Arashiyama Garden Cafe

Located just off the main street in Arashiyama in a courtyard, this little cafe had delicious tempura and Japanese curry.

Nishiki Market

One day after our daughter’s nap, we walked over to Nishiki Market and had various food from stalls. Could serve as a snack or your entire meal!

Ganko Sanjo

This place was probably the only restaurant I would classify as kid friendly. It was large, had high chairs, and music playing so any squeals (or whining) from our toddler went unnoticed. The sushi was fresh and the soba was great. If you couldn’t tell, I was very into soba this trip!

Men-ya Yukou

This tiny, hole-in-the-wall ramen restaurant near our hotel always had a line. We were able to get a table on our last night while it snowed outside. The ramen was simple and delicious, and Kaia loved the gyoza and rice. Definitely get here early if you want to avoid waiting outside!

Having 4 full days in Kyoto meant we were able to accomplish quite a lot, even with a toddler. Here is everything we did by day:

Day 1

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Walk through Arashiyama shops and lunch at Arashiyama Garden Cafe
• Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple) in the afternoon
• Walked through Pontocho Park
• Ate dinner at Ukiya

Day 2

• Got dropped off in Hagashiyama Ward, near Hokan-ji
• Walked through Hagashiyama up to Kiyomizu-dera
• Walked to Yasaka Shrine, passing Kodai-ji and Ryozen Kannon on the way
• Walked through Maruyama Park
• Ate lunch in Gion
• Walked through Nishiki Market in the afternoon
• Ended in Gion for dinner

Day 3

• Walked to Nijo Castle from our hotel for the morning
• Ate gyoza lunch at Gyoza-dokoro Sukemasa
• Visited the Kyoto Railway Musem in the afternoon
• Walked through Hanamikoji street in Gion (famous for being the geisha district), ate dinner

Day 4

• Took the train to Nara in the morning
• Saw the Nandaimon Gate and Todai-ji
• Ate lunch at Monsieur Pépé (delicious crepes)
• Took the train to Fushimi Inari Taisha
• Taxi back to the hotel, ramen at Men-ya Yukou for dinner

Day 5 (Travel Day)

• Took train back to Osaka
• Visited Osaka Castle
• Airport to go home!

I loved Japan so much and cannot wait to go back!