Yesterday, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting a group of 14 to 17-year-old students and their teachers from France as part of their school trip!
We welcomed a total of 26 students split into two groups of 13, alongside their teachers. For both the students and teachers, this was their very first trip to Japan! Despite any language barriers, we all had an unforgettable time together.
Smiles and Kimonos! When they found out they could try on traditional Japanese wear, everyone—both boys and girls—got super excited! Once they put on their favorite kimonos, the room filled with energy. They struck fun poses for photos and even filmed fun dancing videos together.
Engaging Hands-On Fun Of course, they also dove right into traditional Japanese games like origami, kendama, and daruma otoshi. With so many hands-on activities to try, there wasn’t a single dull moment. Watching everyone focus on their crafts and cheer each other on was truly heartwarming. The one-hour session flew by in what felt like a heartbeat!
When it was time to leave, a few students even exclaimed, “Wait, is it time to go already?!” Hearing how much they wished they could stay longer meant the world to us.
Welcoming Group & Tour Bookings We welcome individual guests as well as larger school groups, tour groups, and international travelers! Even if it’s your first time in Japan or you have concerns about language, rest assured—we are here to ensure a comfortable, welcoming, and memorable cultural experience for everyone.
A huge thank you to all 26 students and teachers from France for sharing such a wonderful time with us. We hope to see you in Japan again someday!
Looking for a Cozy Tatami Room with Little Ones in Kyoto?
Yesterday, I heard that a parent near Kiyomizu-dera was looking for a tatami room where they could put their baby down and rest.
I felt so bad that they couldn’t find us. It made me realize that I need to share more, so families in need can easily find our place.
AriHana Kyoto isn’t just a place for kids. We opened this space so families visiting Kyoto can feel comfortable and enjoy their time together.
• Looking for an indoor play space for the kids? • Wondering what to do on a rainy day in Kyoto? • Need a clean and safe space while traveling with a baby? • Tired from walking, but still want to relax in a cozy tatami room?
AriHana Kyoto is here to help with all these worries. We also have a private nursing room and diaper-changing station for families with babies.
Whenever you’re wondering where to go with your family in Kyoto, please feel free to drop by. No reservation needed!
AriHana Kyoto is celebrating its second anniversary!
Over the past two years, we have welcomed visitors from nearly 40 countries around the world. We are truly grateful to everyone who has stopped by during their trip to Kyoto and spent time playing and having fun with their children.
We would also like to thank everyone who has supported AriHana Kyoto along the way. Your kindness and support have meant so much to us.
Why I Started AriHana Kyoto
The idea behind AriHana Kyoto began with a family I saw while walking around Kyoto.
I wanted children visiting Kyoto to have a fun time, too. I wanted them to leave with happy memories and feel that their trip to Kyoto had been a wonderful experience.
This led me to think about creating a place where children could experience Japanese culture through play and families could enjoy time together.
That is how AriHana Kyoto came to be.
An Indoor Playground Where Families Can Enjoy Traditional Japanese Games
AriHana Kyoto is an indoor playground where parents and children can enjoy traditional Japanese games and activities, such as kendama, daruma otoshi, fukuwarai, and origami.
Some of these games may look unfamiliar or even a little difficult at first. But many are easy to learn, and anyone can give them a try, even without any previous experience.
Sometimes, children become so absorbed in a game that they forget about everything else. Sometimes, a little unexpected moment makes the whole family burst out laughing. And sometimes, parents who came along to watch find themselves joining in and having just as much fun as their children.
At AriHana Kyoto, I want both children and adults to enjoy playing together.
As a former nursery teacher, I also want to provide an environment where children can play freely, take their time, and try things for themselves.
A trip to Kyoto often includes visiting temples and shrines, exploring the streets, and walking around the city. I hope AriHana Kyoto can be another place for families to enjoy during their visit, where children can play and everyone can have a good time together.
Making Memories Through Laughter
When we think back on a trip, we often remember the places we visited and the sights we saw.
But we also remember the little things: playing a game together, finally getting it right after several tries, or laughing together at something unexpected.
I hope that time spent at AriHana Kyoto will become one of those memories that families look back on after their trip to Kyoto and say, “That was so much fun!”
As we begin our third year, I will continue working to make AriHana Kyoto a place where children can play freely, discover traditional Japanese games, and enjoy spending time with their families.
If you are looking for an indoor playground for your children in Kyoto, or simply a place where your family can have fun together, we would love to welcome you to AriHana Kyoto. No reservation is needed.
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.
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.
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.
Some Families Visit AriHana Kyoto More Than Once During Their Stay
AriHana Kyoto is a play space where children visiting Kyoto with their families can freely enjoy traditional Japanese play together.
Recently, we received a wonderful message from a family who had visited AriHana Kyoto.
They told us that their daughter enjoyed her visit so much that she said, “I definitely want to go back again before we leave Kyoto!” They are now planning to visit us again during their stay in Kyoto.
This was not the first time. We have welcomed other families who came back a second time during their trip because their children wanted to play again.
When families travel in Kyoto, they usually have many places they want to visit. Knowing that a child wanted to spend part of that precious time at AriHana Kyoto again made us very happy.
Children and parents enjoy traditional Japanese play in many different ways, whether it’s folding origami, trying kendama, playing daruma otoshi, or laughing together over fukuwarai.
We hope AriHana Kyoto becomes one of the happy memories of your trip to Japan. We look forward to welcoming many more families from around the world.
