Traveling with children in Japan can be intimidating.   All that structure and serenity.   I have visions of my children rearranging the rocks of a zen garden or putting their little fists through the traditional rice paper shoji screens that make up the walls of our ryokan.

However, it is also one of the most beautiful, poetic cities in Japan and our children, age 3 ½ and 2, love running up the temple steps and seeing the koi fish swimming in the river along philosopher’s walk.

Kyoto for kids depends on the weather, with spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (fall leaves) the best times to visit the city, though also the most crowded. The public transportation system, especially the busses, are top notch with a 500 yen per day pass that gets you to all major sites.

And the city is slow-paced enough that people are willing to stop and show you where to go on a map or point out a nearby noodle shop where you can fill your children’s bellies.

Read the rest of this article about exploring Kyoto with kids on Ciao Bambino.  Photo courtesy of Diana David.