Childcare in Kyoto for visiting families

City childcare is for residents

Kyoto City's drop-in care takes children from 57 days old to school age, but you must live in the city, register in advance and book with each nursery. The city lists a few exceptions, such as a mother staying with family to give birth or a disaster evacuee. Tourism is not one of them.

The same applies to the city's overnight and evening care (ショートステイ・トワイライトステイ), its sick-child care, and Family Support (ファミリーサポート), which also accepts people who work in the city.

Hotels

Kyoto's official travel guide lists hotels with kids' programs, toy lending or childcare, and some private childcare that takes visiting children. Most hotel programs are for staying guests only and need booking ahead.

Babysitters

Sitters in Kyoto must register with the city, which publishes information on registered providers but says not to judge on the list alone. Before you book any sitter, check:

• Meet the sitter before the booking, and hand your child only to that same person.
• Check the company name, the sitter's name and contact details, and a photo ID.
• Ask to see any qualification they mention, such as a 保育士 (licensed childcare worker) card.
• Confirm the sitter or the company is insured.
• If care happens anywhere other than your room, see the place first.
• Agree how you will stay in touch during the booking, and what happens in an emergency.
• Ask for a short report on how it went when you pick up.

Places to go together

Kyoto's parent-and-child spaces (つどいの広場) are play rooms, free to use, where you stay with your child. They are not drop-off care.

If your child is unwell

Public sick-child care is for residents. Call 119 in an emergency. The Japan Visitor Hotline (050-3816-2787, 24 hours) can help you find a clinic.

Nearby cities

Uji, Nagaokakyo and other nearby cities run their own schemes with their own residency rules. Do not assume Kyoto City's rules apply there.

Where TabiTots fits

TabiTots lists local schools, nurseries, activity studios and babysitters that take visiting children. We check every provider's registration before they can take a booking. You see the ages, times and what to bring up front, and book in English or Japanese. You do not need to live in Japan.