Kyoto in Japan is characterized by humanities, culture, and natural scenery, and it has been ideal for families. While Kyoto is popular among tourists, it can be even fun to travel with kids in Kyoto on a shoestring. Preparation and a focus on cheap ideas can thus allow you to have a most memorable time for a reasonable price. Below is the budget friendly guide of Kyoto in traveling with children.
Choosing Affordable Accommodation
Food and shelter are usually some of the biggest costs that travelers face when on a trip; luckily there is no shortage of cheap lodgings in Kyoto. Guest houses and hostsels should be chosen by those who are looking for a comfortable and affordable accommodation with children. Most of them provide private facilities so that families can share the same room when in need of a room. Also, it was found that the best way to economize is to book ahead or to stay at a hotel that is slightly farther from the city center. To cut costs even further, you can use services like Airbnb where one can book an entire house or apartment instead of a room. This provide freedom of preparing own meals which in turn can bring down the overall cost even more.
Utilizing Public Transportation
Kyoto sure has a great transport system and what is even better is the fact that most of it is affordable which means that those that are traveling with their families will not be needing much money on transport. Kyoto City Bus and Subway Pass is also a good one for saving money, if you plan to use buses and subways, as a mean of transport to visit the main attractions of Kyoto without having to hire a taxi or a car. For persons with older children, hiring bicycles is among the cheapest and convenient ways through which the city can be viewed. Kyoto is a bicycle-friendly city and there are a number of beautiful spots in and around the city that usher children and adults a wonderful time when on a bike ride.
Exploring Free and Low-Cost Attractions
Kyoto is a city with heavy history and most of the main attractions within the city are either free or you can pay a symbolic amount of money as entrance fees. Fushimi Inari Taisha: with numerous rows of crimson-colored torii gates and free admission, it has become one of the most famous places in Kyoto. Kids will be thrilled by walking through the torii gate tunnels The experience is unique to the children. Another great place is the entrance to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove which is free to visit and where one can walk along the giant stems of bamboo. If your family has an appreciation for nature, another place that you would not want to miss while in Kyoto is the Kyoto Imperial Palace and the gardens surrounding the palace have no entrance fee. The Nijo accommodation does cost a little amount of fee but I found it fascinating since there are larger grounds and the well-maintained garden areas.
Enjoying Affordable Local Food
Listed below are the famous foods to eat in Kyoto that best suits the theme of eating while on the cheap and mere budget. Kaiseki dishes like many other dishes within the Cantin offers a variety of dishes in small portions, and the prices are relatively low. Along with that, they become very versatile, and it is entertaining for children to try various types of food at once. Another way of getting to taste the Kyoto food is by going for the street foods, though they are cheap they are delicious. Kiddies favourite such foods include yaki-soba (fried noodles) and taiyaki (fish-shaped cake) that one can find being sold at the Nishiki Market. C-vendor shops like Seven eleven and Lawson sell other cheap packed foods, for instance rice balls, sandwiches, and bento boxes for that fast cheap convenient meal.
Visiting Kyoto During Festivals
Kyoto is always fun for the family since there are always festivals all year through and most associated activities are free. For instance, Gion Matsuri, the Grand Festival, which takes place in Kyoto in late June or early July, comprises of processions, dramas, dances, and other related performances. Even though the tickets for some events are sold, many of the festivities are open to the public and free of charge. Exploring the city during the period of cherry blossoms or during other festivals is one more cheap way to travel to Kyoto. Some of the parks include Maruyama Park, where people and even their kids can enjoy cherry blossoms while having a picnic.
Shopping Smart for Souvenirs
However, the question of buying souvenirs should not be a big issue, but usually, tourists spend too much money on this. Because it costs less than conventional supermarkets and grocery stores, try to buy food at the local markets such as Nishiki Market or Gion street markets. Here you can also buy souvenirs from the region and from Japan: candies, small sets of tableware, handicrafts. Alternatively, for all the discounted products such as items for souvenirs, snacks, general merchandise, there are discount stores such as Daiso and one hundred yen shops. This type of store focuses on selling things that are both useful and can be associated with events, all at affordable prices.
Embracing Kyoto’s Natural Beauty
Kyoto is surrounded by a natural environment and it is possible to enjoy in it without paying anything. Some of these include Mount Kurama, Mount Hiei among others, and these mountains are offers free hiking sites with excellent views. The parent activity is an outdoor activity that involves families having a fun and engaging time outdoors when on a visit to Kyoto. The Kamo River is another great attraction that one can visit as well. Strolling along the river, having a picnic with children on the bank of the river does not necessitate one to spend a lot of money. If your children like boats, you may take a pedal boat at any nearby rental shops by the river at an affordable fee.
Planning Around Off-Peak Times
So one of the effective strategies to reduce costs of travelling in Kyoto is by travelling to the city during the low season. Kyoto is most popular in spring, when cherry blossom blooms, and in autumn when the leaves change colors, fares are higher for hotels and tourist attractions. If possible you can schedule your visit during winter and early spring season, the weather is cooler, freezing at times, and there are lesser tourists and hotels are not as expensive as during the other seasons. Also, be prepared to be as flexible when searching for flights as flexibility of your travel dates can help you book the flights during off-peak hours and stand to enjoy a number of promotions.
Conclusion
Travelling to Kyoto with children on a shoestring can still be done very effectively but it will need some planning and focusing on free and cheap attractions. When it comes to dining, Kyoto offers a wide range of affordable experiences, whether you are settling for a ¥100 ramen or going for the expensive kaiseki meals, there are options to choose from. From checking out the fantastic temples of the city to tasting the delicious food and even enjoying the beautiful scenery of Kyoto, Kyoto is a perfect place to spend a family holiday on a shoe string.
