Kinosaki Preschool
Acceptable age range
| Start date | Date of birth |
|---|---|
| Apr 2026 – Mar 2027 | 2020/4/2〜2025/4/1 |
| Apr 2027 – Mar 2028 | 2021/4/2〜2026/4/1 |
- Nature-rich setting with a temple-based preschool building
- Located in Kinosaki Onsen town, with good access from Kyoto
Reviews
See all 4 reviewsAmazing experience beyond language barriers
The Aurora from germany family (5 years 4 months)
1st time in the program
September 4, 2026
My daughter had an incredible experience with the preschool in Kinosaki Onsen. S... Read more
My daughter had an incredible experience with the preschool in Kinosaki Onsen. She learned how to approach with insects and animals without fear, she had amazing time doing role-play with the crazy costumes available there and she approached the teachers and class-mates with a lot of enthusiasm.
Message to Preschool Teachers
The teachers were taking care a lot of the feelings of my daughter, with empathy and touch. They were very friendly and try to communicate in english. They also provided me a lot of photos and a diary of the routine at the kita.
Message to Local People
I liked the location of the preschool, as the community is very friendly and kind, compared to the big cities. This kind of experience help foreigners to approach the Japanese culture and lifestyle in a closer and authentic way, and open the local community to new ideas and business opportunity.
Activities at the preschool
Activity details
Role-play
- Number of People
- 3 People (2 Adults, 1 Child)
- Children Age
- 5 years 4 months
- Period
- 1 Week (From Aug 23, 2026)
- Educational Facility
- Kinosaki Preschool
- Accommodation
A heartwarming introduction to Japanese life
The Isabelle family (2 years 11 months, 6 years 5 months)
1st time in the program
August 31, 2026
Our girls had a wonderful week full of messy play and creativity supported by a ... Read more
Our girls had a wonderful week full of messy play and creativity supported by a school that was so warm and inviting, they told us they wanted to move! The teachers gave us detailed updates every day, and ensured they were included in as many activities as possible regardless of language barriers. A truly sweet and wholesome experience.
Message to Preschool Teachers
改めて、大変お世話になりました。
子どもたちは今でも園でのことや、日本で学んだことをよく話しています。とても楽しい経験になったようです。
また、毎回とても詳しく子どもたちの様子を教えていただき、本当にありがとうございました。丁寧に伝えていただけたことに、私たちもとても感動しました。
Message to Local People
Kinosaki has such a relaxing atmosphere, even during high tourist season. We felt welcomed by the whole community (and even started recognising and greeting a few people as we walked around the town).
Activities at the preschool
Activity details
The girls enjoyed mud/sand/water play every day they were at the school. My eldest also had an opportunity to join her classmates on an excursion to the local temple to learn about meditation, which turned out to be one of her biggest highlights of the trip.
- Number of People
- 4 People (2 Adults, 2 Children)
- Children Age
- 2 years 11 months, 6 years 5 months
- Period
- 1 Week (From Aug 2, 2026)
- Educational Facility
- Kinosaki Preschool
- Accommodation
Truly inspiring experience for the entire family
The Sureena family (6 years 2 months, 3 years 3 months)
1st time in the program
July 26, 2026
I find it difficult to put to words the level of love and nurturing I personally... Read more
I find it difficult to put to words the level of love and nurturing I personally observed my kids receive in this program. There are way too many moments to share and not enough space here. I would like to share that my kid wants to come back again next year and wants me to find a job in Japan so he does not have to leave again.
Message to Preschool Teachers
I dont think I can sing enough praises of the school principal and teachers. I am blown away by their approach to child development with love.
I was able to learn a few things myself from observing the school and teachers on how I can better nurture my kids creativity when we go back home.
We will miss Angel sensei, Yuna sensei and the 2nd teacher (i dint quite get her name right) and the entire staff that works so very hard to run this school.
We will also miss the lovely kids. They were so welcoming and full of love!
Rihaan and Riya miss them already and want to come back again next summer!
Message to Local People
Kinosaki is a very special village and I hope it maintains its culture and tradition for another 1300 years!
Activities at the preschool
Activity details
The biggest activity they experienced apart from harvesting and catching insects like kamakiri (praying mantis), frogs, tadpoles.. was creating through every day items like cardboard boxes, tape, paper, scissors, wires, yarn, empty milk cartons, rubber bands.... I was blown away by the creativity they enabled..
- Number of People
- 4 People (2 Adults, 2 Children)
- Children Age
- 6 years 2 months, 3 years 3 months
- Period
- 2 Weeks (From Jul 12, 2026)
- Educational Facility
- Kinosaki Preschool
- Accommodation
A Week That Felt Like Family in Kinosaki
The Larraga family (6 years 6 months, 2 years 8 months)
1st time in the program
May 3, 2026
Our experience truly couldn’t have been better. From the very beginning, the sta... Read more
Our experience truly couldn’t have been better. From the very beginning, the staff and teachers showed incredible care, warmth, and dedication to both of our children, my son (6) and my daughter (2.5).
We deeply appreciated how they were able to accommodate my son, even though he is slightly older than the usual program range. They genuinely encouraged his abilities and passions—especially his love for insects—which meant a lot to us. At the same time, they showed remarkable sensitivity and attentiveness toward my daughter, understanding how challenging a new environment, culture, and language can be for a little one. Their patience and care made all the difference.
The daily reports were thoughtful, detailed, and reassuring, and the photos they shared are memories we will treasure for years to come. Communication throughout the week was excellent, always clear and supportive.
We are incredibly grateful to all the staff: our daughter’s teachers, our son’s teachers, as well as the elementary school teachers and the principal. Every single one of them contributed to making this experience so special.
We also leave with wonderful memories of the friendships formed—especially with their new friends and the rest of the group. And the perfect ending: the farewell party. Seeing the whole school come together with music, dancing, and joy was unforgettable. In just one week, it truly felt like we had become part of a family.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts—we will never forget this experience.
Message to Preschool Teachers
Dear teachers,
We just wanted to send you a personal note to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you did for our son and daughter during our week with you.
It is not easy to leave your children in a completely new environment, culture, and language, but from the very first moment you made us feel calm and confident. The love, patience, and care you showed to both of them was truly special.
Thank you for encouraging our son’s curiosity and passions—especially his love for insects. He came home every day excited, inspired, and happy. And thank you for taking such gentle and thoughtful care of our daughter, helping her feel safe and supported as she adapted to everything new around her.
We also want to thank you for the daily reports and photos—they meant so much to us and are memories we will always keep.
A very special thank you to all the teachers and the principal. You are an incredible team, and we feel very lucky that our children could be part of your school, even if just for a short time.
And of course, thank you for the beautiful farewell party—it was the perfect ending to an unforgettable week. In such a short time, you made us feel like part of a family.
We will always remember you.
With gratitude,
The Family
Message to Local People
I did already left review in booking, the stay was excellent and the staff amazing.
- Number of People
- 4 People (2 Adults, 2 Children)
- Children Age
- 6 years 6 months, 2 years 8 months
- Period
- 1 Week (From Apr 19, 2026)
- Educational Facility
- Kinosaki Preschool
- Accommodation
Access
From Kansai Airport, Osaka, take the Limousine Bus to Kyoto or Kobe Station, which takes about 1 ~ 1.5 hours. From each station, you can then take the Limited Express directly to Kinosaki Onsen Station, which takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
From Haneda Airport, Tokyo, take the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa Station, which takes about 20 minutes. From Shinagawa Station, take the Shinkansen to Kansai area and follow the route described above to Kinosaki Onsen Station.
From Narita Airport, Tokyo, take the JR Narita Express to Tokyo Station, which takes about 1 hour. Then, take the Shinkansen to the Kansai area, and follow the route described above to Kinosaki Onsen Station.
Features of the Preschool
Kinosaki Preschool is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering children a chance to connect with the environment. Seasonal activities like planting, harvesting, and snow play enrich their learning experience.
The preschool promotes children’s independence by allowing them to lead their own activities. Through play and group interactions, they develop both problem-solving skills and teamwork.
Situated in the heart of Kinosaki Onsen, the preschool offers a unique blend of cultural and natural experiences. Children explore the local town and participate in hands-on learning throughout the year.
Throughout the year, the children spend their time healthily and happily, experiencing both the winter snow and the warm Japanese summer. In the summer, they enjoy playing with water and sometimes get muddy. In the winter, snow occasionally piles up.
A Day of the Children
A town surrounded by mountains and hot springs — the preschool sits within a temple
Morning is mostly free play
Children practice mindfulness with the head priest, who is also the principal
Indoor play is rich — today’s activity was shadow play
A stroll through the scenic town
Lunch is cooked on-site, with allergy-friendly options available
Accommodation
Yashio
20
minAccommodation Type
Whole building rental
Capacity
7 people
Kitchen
Private Kitchen
Bedroom
Bed, Futon
Bathroom
Bathtub Available
Laundry
Washer-Dryer
Features
Baby-Friendly, Coworking Space
Work Environment
Wi-Fi Available / Separate Workspace for Couples Available / Coworking Space Available
Destination
802-1 YUSHIMA, TOYOOKA CITY, HYOGO, HYOGO
Kinosaki Onsen
Kinosaki Onsen, located in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is a charming hot spring town known for its willow-lined river, strolling in yukata, and the famous tour of seven public baths.
Official SiteKinosaki Onsen Ropeway
The mountaintop observatory offers breathtaking views, and the traditional “kawarake” clay disc throwing is a popular activity for children.
Official SiteKinosaki Marine World
This aquarium features dolphin and sea lion shows, as well as a hands-on experience where visitors can catch their own horse mackerel. The freshly fried tempura made from the catch is a crowd favorite.
Official SiteSample Itinerary
Famous for seven public bathhouses (Sotoyu) and willow-lined canals, Kinosaki offers yukata-clad strolls and scenic ropeway rides. Winter for Matsuba Crab and spring for cherry blossoms are the best seasons. Buy local sweets or Tajima Beef products as souvenirs, then relax and hop between historic hot springs.