Recently, we have had more opportunities to introduce AriHana Kyoto to people from different places.
A videographer from Italy came to film at AriHana Kyoto. We have also been featured in YouTube videos by Kyoto companies introducing places in Kyoto to people overseas.
And today, another team came from Osaka to film a video about AriHana Kyoto.
What makes me especially happy is that the people who visit us for filming also enjoy playing at AriHana Kyoto.
They have been introducing AriHana Kyoto as an indoor playground where children and adults can enjoy traditional Japanese play together — and often end up getting completely absorbed in the games themselves.
It is always interesting to see adults become just as excited as the children when they try games they have never played before.
Traditional Japanese play can be simple, but once you start playing, you may find yourself wanting to try again and again.
I’m very happy that more people are discovering the fun of traditional Japanese play at AriHana Kyoto, and I’m grateful to everyone who has taken an interest in us and introduced AriHana Kyoto to others.
I hope more families visiting Kyoto will discover AriHana Kyoto and enjoy playing together.
A Family Looking for a Place to Play in Kyoto Visits AriHana Kyoto
Yesterday, a family from New Zealand visited AriHana Kyoto during their trip.
Their 2-year-old son was a little shy when he first arrived. A new place and new people can be a little scary for young children. But with his parents nearby, he soon felt comfortable and started moving around and playing freely in our indoor playground.
While their son was playing, his parents took turns trying origami for the first time. Each time they finished a piece, they looked happy and surprised that they had made it themselves.
It was lovely to see the whole family enjoying simple traditional Japanese play together, without having to rush.
After their visit, they sent us a message saying that it had been “a very lovely time together as a family.”
We were very happy to hear that.
And just before they left, their little boy gave us a big smile. Seeing him so relaxed and happy at the end of his visit made us smile too.
We hope AriHana Kyoto can be a small but special part of your family trip to Kyoto.
Q. Can young children enjoy AriHana Kyoto?
A. Yes. AriHana Kyoto is an indoor playground where children can play at their own pace. Parents can stay close and play with them, too. We have traditional Japanese games and activities that children of different ages can enjoy with their families.
We have had a lot of rainy days in Kyoto recently.
Rain can make traveling a little difficult.
Especially when you are traveling with a small child, pushing a stroller while holding an umbrella is not easy. You also have to think about where to put your wet raincoat and umbrella.
AriHana Kyoto is a comfortable place to spend time on a rainy day.
You can leave your stroller under a roof, so it does not get wet. There is also a place to put wet umbrellas and raincoats.
Once you come inside, you don’t have to worry about the rain.
Children can try kendama, make origami, play Daruma Otoshi, and more.
There is no set order and no need to follow a program.
Children can pick something that looks interesting to them and play in their own way.
Sometimes parents join in and play with their children too.
Rain can change your plans when you are traveling in Kyoto.
But rainy days can be fun too.
You can take your time, play without worrying about the weather, and enjoy some traditional Japanese games along the way.
On a rainy day in Kyoto, this might be one way to spend your time.
The other day, a 4-year-old girl from California came to AriHana Kyoto with her father.
She was a little shy at first, but she really enjoyed origami. She made many different things and happily said, “I’m going to show all of these to Mom!”
She also tried kendama and daruma otoshi, but her favorite was tosenkyo. She played it many times with her father and had a great time.
After about an hour and a half, her father said, “Shall we go? Mom is waiting for us.”
She didn’t look very happy about leaving.
Then she said,
“I want to come back!”
And the next day, she really did come back — this time with her mother.
Her mother smiled and said, “She really loved AriHana Kyoto, so we came back again.”
They both had big smiles on their faces.
She remembered the Japanese games she had played the day before, and this time, she showed her mother how to play them.
They talked and played together, and she also enjoyed playing with Japanese hiragana blocks, saying some Japanese words as she played.
She was very interested in our Japanese picture books, too, and really enjoyed having them read to her.
By the end of the visit, she was so relaxed that she was lying down and relaxing on the tatami floor.
It made us very happy to see how comfortable she had become.
She was a little shy when she first came, but the next day she was happily playing, talking, and relaxing with her mother.
We were so happy that she enjoyed her time at AriHana Kyoto enough to say, “I want to come back,” and then actually came back the very next day.
In Japan, we often use a traditional fan called an “uchiwa” during the hot summer months.
Even though we have fans and air conditioning today, seeing an uchiwa still makes many people think of summer in Japan.
So why not make your own?
At AriHana Kyoto, you can enjoy a Japanese calligraphy activity and write your favorite Japanese word on your own uchiwa.
You can choose a word such as “summer,” “dream,” “flower,” or anything you like.
You don’t have to be good at Japanese calligraphy. The most important thing is to enjoy choosing your word and writing it yourself.
When you finish, you can take your original uchiwa home as a special souvenir from your Kyoto trip.
You can even use it to cool yourself down while you are in Kyoto!
At AriHana Kyoto, you can also enjoy traditional Japanese games such as origami, kendama, daruma otoshi, and fukuwarai.
Visiting famous places is not the only way to enjoy Kyoto.
Making something with your own hands and trying traditional Japanese games can also become a special memory of your trip.
Why not make your own uchiwa in Kyoto this summer?
Q. Can young children make their own Japanese fan?
A. Yes, of course!
Making your own fan is not only about Japanese calligraphy. Children can also draw with pens, use handprint stamps and stickers, or decorate their fans with origami.
We have seen children come up with many different ideas for their own fans.
From babies and young children to adults, everyone can enjoy making a fan in their own way.
Kyoto has many wonderful places to visit, such as Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, and Arashiyama.
But we often hear from our guests that visiting many sightseeing spots with young children can be tiring and difficult.
“Is there a place where my children can play?”
“What can we do on a rainy day?”
“Is there somewhere we can relax and spend time with our children?”
AriHana Kyoto is here for families looking for a place like this.
AriHana Kyoto is an indoor playground near Kiyomizu-dera where children and adults can enjoy traditional Japanese games together.
You can freely enjoy games that have been loved in Japan for many years, such as kendama, daruma otoshi, fukuwarai, and origami.
It makes us very happy to see not only the children, but also the adults having fun and getting excited about the games.
You can also take off your shoes and relax in our tatami room while enjoying your time together.
FAQ
Q. Is AriHana Kyoto only for children?
A. No. Adults can enjoy the traditional Japanese games too. Families can play and have fun together.
If you need a little break during your Kyoto sightseeing, are looking for a place where your children can play, or need somewhere to go on a rainy day, we hope you will visit AriHana Kyoto.
AriHana Kyoto is an indoor play space for children and families, located near Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto.
Here, families can freely enjoy traditional Japanese games such as kendama, origami, daruma otoshi, and fukuwarai.
What is important to us at AriHana Kyoto is that families can enjoy Japan through play.
You don’t need to think, “We are here to experience Japanese culture.”
Babies, children, and adults of all ages can enjoy playing in their own way.
Children can choose something that makes them think, “I want to try this!” Families can laugh, play, and try new things together.
Through these simple and fun games, we hope you can naturally feel a little of Japan and its culture.
I worked as a nursery teacher for 22 years.
That is why I want AriHana Kyoto to be a place where children can follow their own curiosity, try things they like, and enjoy playing freely.
If you want to take a little break from sightseeing with your children, or if it is very hot or rainy outside, please come and play at AriHana Kyoto.
We hope that playing together and enjoying traditional Japanese games will become one of the happy memories of your family trip to Kyoto.
FAQ
Q. What can children do at AriHana Kyoto? A. Children can enjoy traditional Japanese games such as kendama, origami, daruma otoshi, and fukuwarai. They can choose what they want to try and play at their own pace.
Q. Is AriHana Kyoto only for children? A. No. Babies, children, parents, grandparents, and people of all ages can enjoy the space together.
Q. Do we need to make a reservation? A. No reservation is required. You are welcome to simply walk in when you are nearby.
Q. Is AriHana Kyoto good for a rainy or hot day in Kyoto? A. Yes! AriHana Kyoto is an indoor play space, so families can enjoy playing together away from the heat or rain.
Kyoto has been very hot lately, and we’ve also been getting sudden afternoon showers.
After walking around temples, shrines, and sightseeing spots, many families are ready for a little break.
Some visit AriHana Kyoto because it’s too hot outside. Others stop by after getting caught in the rain.
Many families tell us they only planned to stay for a short time, but before they know it, they have been playing together for more than an hour.
Children and parents enjoy traditional Japanese games like origami, kendama, daruma otoshi, and fukuwarai together. It is always nice to see families laughing and spending time together.
Of course, visiting Kyoto’s famous temples and shrines is an important part of any trip. But taking some time to play together can become a special memory too.
No reservation is needed, so you are always welcome to visit whenever it fits your sightseeing plans.
We hope AriHana Kyoto becomes a place where your family can relax, play together, and make happy memories during your time in Kyoto.
Q. Can we take a break during our sightseeing in Kyoto? A. Yes! No reservation is needed, so feel free to stop by anytime. Take a break with your family while enjoying traditional Japanese games like origami and kendama. We also offer complimentary tea and juice for our guests.
AriHana Kyoto has recently joined The Origami Project.
People from around the world fold origami cranes, write a message of peace or hope, and read their message in their own language. The messages and videos will be shared at the World Youth Summit Against the Recruitment of Children by Armed Groups in Geneva, Switzerland, in October 2026.
The official World Youth Summit Instagram account kindly featured the poster created by AriHana Kyoto and sent us a warm message of appreciation. We are honored to support this meaningful initiative, which shares a message of peace and hope for children around the world.
Every day, families from many different countries visit AriHana Kyoto.
Although we speak different languages and come from different cultures, seeing children smile while they play always reminds me that some things are the same everywhere.
When I first heard about this project, I felt that origami could become more than just a traditional Japanese activity. It could also be a way for children and families from around the world to share a message of peace.
At AriHana Kyoto, we hope families enjoy origami as part of their trip to Kyoto. If one paper crane can also carry a small message of kindness and hope, I think that makes the experience even more meaningful.
If you would like to join The Origami Project during your visit, please feel free to ask us.
We look forward to folding many paper cranes together with families from around the world.
Q. What age can children start enjoying origami?
A. In Japan, many children start enjoying origami around the age of 2 or 3. Even if it’s your child’s first time, we are happy to show them simple designs, so families of all ages can enjoy folding paper together. There is no need to worry about age or experience. Everyone can enjoy origami at their own pace.
