Things to Do / Itinerary for Osaka / Kyoto with Kids

Hoju on 02/03/2020 - 14:35

Hi guys

No this is not a ‘should I cancel my trip’ thread…
I’m not particularly fussed about the virus at this stage.

Picked up one of the great deals to japan, returning free with jetstar to Osaka with a couple of kids.
Just looking for advice from anyone who has been to that area on itinerary thoughts.

We have almost 5 days total at the end of May: Thursday through to Monday, returning on a 9pm Monday flight.

I thought I would have Thursday and Friday in Osaka, then either Friday evening or Saturday morning get a fast train up to Kyoto. My son is excited about the thought of the bullet train, and it does look pretty cool.

Spend Saturday and Sunday in Kyoto and return for another 3/4 day in Osaka on Monday before flying our that night. It would be nice to stay in a traditional ryokan in Kyoto for a couple of nights to have the kids experience that.

I suppose my question to anyone who has been with kids around 8-10 years old …

  • is that’s how you’d split the available time? I’m aware of W.B. studios in Osaka which could take a whole day if we decided to do it but at the moment it’s closed because of the virus and it sounds like there’s plenty of other things to do. We have theme parks here so don’t really need to blow limited time waiting in lines for rides unless it literally is the most amazing theme park ever…

  • would you take a trip to Nara or aside from the deer is it like a lesser Kyoto anyway?

  • any must see/ do in any of those spots?!

  • any traditional areas in Osaka to stay rather than just big city type places?

I know this is a brief trip and I’ve read this thread here https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/513867 but hoping for less Tokyo stuff and more ideas for kids

Thanks heaps for any thoughts…

Travel Asia Japan Kyoto Osaka

Comments

  • Broke-Ken on 02/03/2020 - 15:05
    +1

    Check out the amazing pass for Osaka, has lots of coupons to attractions, museums, faris wheels, boat rides, and use of public transport, will get lot of ideas from it

    https://www.osp.osaka-info.jp/en/

    As you've mentioned, it's a bit hard to plan atm as lots of tourist attractions have closed due to the virus and don't know when things will get back to normal.

    • Hoju on 02/03/2020 - 15:12

      Thanks! Despite lots of web searching I hadn’t come across that

      • H E B on 02/03/2020 - 15:22

        Wow. Where have you been looking I'm amazed this has been missed.

  • Pecan on 02/03/2020 - 15:06
    +1

    If you can find other things to do that are more uniquely Japanese, I would pick those over theme parks. E.g. Cup Noodles museum

    Nara is mostly about the deer but they are cute. I thought it was great and worth doing even as an adult.

    Dotonbori at night is fun, eating at the various street food stalls.

  • Tech5 on 02/03/2020 - 15:06
    +1

    Definitely recommend Nara with kids. Good for a half day trip, 30min there and 30min back.

    Ryokan wise, Shiraume is my favourite in Kyoto but it can get very expensive.

    There is not a huge amount for kids to enjoy, but so much for you to see.

    • Hoju on 02/03/2020 - 15:14

      Thank you. Anything in particular at Nara, or just wandering around and taking it all in (and of course the deer)

      • Pecan on 02/03/2020 - 15:21

        Todaiji temple is huge, head over there. The deer can be found in the temple grounds and surrounding parkland also

  • Donaldhump on 02/03/2020 - 15:08
    +1

    stay indoors

  • Archi on 02/03/2020 - 15:14
    +1

    Osaka aquarium. go see the whale sharks

  • Heybargain on 02/03/2020 - 15:14
    +1

    I've found this blog has been a good help for suggestions with kids, check it out
    https://www.thetokyochapter.com/category/other-cities/

  • rover on 02/03/2020 - 15:43

    Toei Kyoto Studio Park would be fun for the kids.

    If you were just going to Kyoto to see a temple or two, then Nara (an easy day trip from Osaka) could easily serve a substitute.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2020 - 15:50

    I'd consider an overnight trip to Hiroshima on the bullet train and possibly even to Miyajima island to see the Itsukushima shrine. The memorial museum in hiroshima may be a bit confronting for kids but there are awesome gardens and other things to do in Hiroshima. There is a bus that travels around the key tourist spots.

    • guyvb on 02/03/2020 - 16:44

      Definitely Hiroshima, but note that the Itsukushima Torii Gate is currently completely covered in scaffolding for renovations :(

    • Eeples on 02/03/2020 - 18:15

      You can do all this in a daytrip from Kyoto if you get an early start; which considering your lack of days might make better sense.

  • yoonibear on 02/03/2020 - 15:52

    Nara was definitely worth the half day we spent there. We combined this w/ the sagano love train (arrive before they open to queue up for the open air carriage) in the morning, then a train to Nara and left there around 6-7pm. If time is an issue and if it's only just you and the kids, opt for a taxi, it's fascinating watching the auto doors close and it's a nice experience

  • Shadowsfury on 02/03/2020 - 16:23
    +1

    osaka to kyoto by bullet train? will it even hit top speed with that distance?

  • guyvb on 02/03/2020 - 16:26

    Just wrt catching the Shinkansen between Osaka & Kyoto - it's only a 14 minute trip, and it's virtually suburbia all the way. I was all keyed up for my first bullet train trip couple of years ago, bit of an anticlimax really on that route.
    I think you really need a longer trip to get the full Shinkansen experience. We're going back in May as well, we've got 14 day JR Passes and I intend to make full use of them :)

    • Hoju on 02/03/2020 - 16:31

      Sounds like the above comment in that it may not even make top speed. But at the same time it’s less than $10 extra and probably the only time in the foreseeable future to do it

    • guyvb on 02/03/2020 - 16:34
      +1

      …and - keep in mind that as of mid May, JR are introducing some conditions on luggage on the bullet trains. Briefly, bags with a total measurement (L+H+D) between 160cm and 250cm need a (free) reservation when booking your seats. Luggage over that size won't be allowed at all, and below 160cm can just go overhead.

      • Indomietable on 04/03/2020 - 19:56

        This is good rule! We enjoyed our travel so much more after we discover takuhaibin and travelling extra light ( ie 2 backpack for the whole family).

        Takuhaibin is a parcel delivery service where you can send your oversized luggage around. Just youtube it.

  • spychiatrist on 02/03/2020 - 19:50
    +1

    I can't emphasize this enough: Universal Studios Japan and Tokyo Disneyland have live shows (incl 3D, 4D rides) in Japanese language only. So think about that before splurging.

    This is why the smaller Universal Studios Singapore was more fun for me, and cheaper to. The rides and shows are in English.

  • Hoju on 02/03/2020 - 20:16

    Thank you, useful !

  • nandystam on 02/03/2020 - 20:39

    Himeji Castle if you want a half-day'ish trip. Although the inside may not appeal as it's not loaded with artifacts like say Osaka Castle, which is more of a museum inside of a castle.

  • Nutrino on 03/03/2020 - 05:32

    Check what is closed.

  • Hoju on 03/03/2020 - 06:26

    Thanks guys. Looks like we will put at least half a day in Nara on the schedule then, and maybe Hiroshima

    Some good sounding temples to work in too

  • cynvero on 04/03/2020 - 10:02
    +1

    We were there in June. We stayed in Kyoto, near Tofukuji station. Kids were 2 and 5 at the moment, so maybe different interests. What we did in Kyoto/Osaka area is as follows:

    Day 1 - Arrived in Osaka airport. We took the monorail and transferred to a normal train to get to Kyoto. Once there, we visited Gion, Kiyomizu-dera temple and around. We went to the roof of Kyoto station on our way back, for a free view of the city.

    Day 2: We went to Osaka Aquarium as it was raining. Normal train from Kyoto to Osaka. Then headed to Dotonbori and stayed there for dinner.

    Day 3: Nara is beautiful. We spent there the whole day just wandering around with kids. Picnic in the park. Todaiji temple is a must.

    Day 4: Arashiyama for Bamboo grove, Monkey park and the famous bridge. It was a great day even when it was raining, heavily at times. On our way back we went to Fushimi-Inari.

    Day 5: Universal Studios… but if it's closed it's not an option now.

    And from them, we kept our trip to Tokyo by bullet train.

    Our friends went to Hiroshima this year with kids and they loved it too.

    It's an amazing trip. Enjoy it!

    • Hoju on 04/03/2020 - 11:05

      Thank you, great detail much appreciated!

  • petestrash on 04/03/2020 - 12:55

    You did not mention how old your kids are.

    As others have said the Osaka Aquarium is great.

    Hakukas 300 building has a great view of Osaka.

    The Tsutenkaku area of Osaka shows what old Osaka was like it very nice to walk around at night time and has an old viewing tower, which if even if you don't go up is nice to look at when lit. https://www.tsutenkaku.co.jp/

    If your kids are into trains the railway museum close to Kyoto station is great.

    From Kyoto Mt Heiei is only about a 30 minute trip to the base. The Eizan railway has some cute trains children like.
    https://eizandensha.co.jp/en/

    Then take a the funicular the and ropeway to the top.
    https://eizan.keifuku.co.jp/

    • Hoju on 04/03/2020 - 13:02

      Thanks. They’re 8 and 10, that Mt Heiei might be appealing

      We enjoy outdoors and natural scenery/ attractions so I will have a look. And it sounds like Nara is therefore a must

      • petestrash on 04/03/2020 - 13:04

        IF you like the outdoors, they might enjoy climbing through the hundreds of tori gate at fushimi inari in Kyoto (2 stops from Kyoto station).

        • Hoju on 04/03/2020 - 13:10

          Looks awesome thank you!

  • Hoju on 25/03/2020 - 03:36

    Sigh. Flights cancelled, got a refund.
    It was such a bargain too and we were so looking forward to it. Hopefully Jetstar repeats some return for free sales when things settle down…

    • starburstyellow on 26/03/2020 - 11:30

      Understand how you feel, but least you guys are safe. Ive got ours planned in December. Will see how it plays out.

    • [Deactivated] on 28/04/2020 - 12:42
      +2

      Thank (profanity), it's morons like you who make things worse. 5 days of fun to risk spreading the virus even more in Japan then bring it back to Australia. Not to mention risking your kids getting it. I love how you say you're not particularly worried but have no consideration for others.

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