RAISE A FAMILY IN KYOTO

Raise a family in Sakyo.
Compare neighborhoods, school districts, childcare and parks

Shimogamo, Kitashirakawa, Ichijoji, Matsugasaki, Iwakura and Ohara: Sakyo varies greatly by area, so choosing where to live requires looking beyond school districts to transport, shopping, healthcare and the natural environment.

Current population149,288 people
Age 0–1415,083 people
小学校・小中学校19校区
When raising children in Sakyo, compare everyday routes as well as school districts.
Shimogamo, Matsugasaki, Iwakura and Shugakuin differ greatly in transport, parks, shopping and healthcare. This page looks at family-friendly areas through both school districts and daily life.

In Sakyo too, school districts and geographic/community areas should be viewed separately

Kyoto City school assignments are based on attendance zones defined by exact address and lot number. For population, local history and festivals, however, traditional area names remain important. Sakyo is very large: daily conditions in urban Shimogamo and Takano differ greatly from Iwakura, Ohara and Hanase.[Kyoto City school attendance zones] [Sakyo Ward overview]

View Sakyo school districts on the map

Select a school district to display the reference attendance area in red. Where a district splits within a town, we show what can be confirmed from public GIS data rather than excluding the whole town.

Current Sakyo elementary school districts and typical junior-high destinations

小学校Typical junior-high school
錦林小Okazaki JHS / Konoe JHS *Varies by address
第三錦林小岡崎中
第四錦林小近衛中
北白川小近衛中
養正小高野中
養徳小高野中
下鴨小下鴨中
葵小下鴨中
Matsugasaki Elementary下鴨中
修学院小修学院中
修学院第二小修学院中
上高野小修学院中
八瀬小修学院中
明徳小洛北中
岩倉南小洛北中
岩倉北小洛北中
市原野小洛北中
大原小中小中一貫校
花背小中小中一貫校

[Confirm the official district by address and lot number]

Sakyo area population | July 1, 2026

We show Kyoto City's latest Basic Resident Register population by 2025 Census statistical area. Boundaries differ from school districts, but the figures help indicate whether an area has many children and how large its population is.[Kyoto City Population Statistics Portal] [Sakyo source data (Excel)]

地域区分人口Age 0–140〜14歳割合
岩倉北5,588 people643 people11.5%
明徳9,213 people1,228 people13.3%
岩倉南12,345 people1,908 people15.5%
静市5,042 people419 people8.3%
鞍馬467 people26 people5.6%
花脊195 people15 people7.7%
久多64 people3 people4.7%
広河原110 people23 people20.9%
大原1,575 people154 people9.8%
八瀬1,512 people109 people7.2%
上高野6,895 people762 people11.1%
修学院第一14,465 people1,528 people10.6%
修学院第二8,844 people705 people8.0%
Kitashirakawa8,571 people791 people9.2%
浄楽5,593 people441 people7.9%
錦林東山2,988 people264 people8.8%
岡崎5,193 people488 people9.4%
新洞2,345 people159 people6.8%
川東2,362 people201 people8.5%
聖護院3,206 people266 people8.3%
吉田7,421 people630 people8.5%
養正5,562 people305 people5.5%
養徳12,796 people965 people7.5%
下鴨7,290 people754 people10.3%
葵11,330 people1,275 people11.3%
Matsugasaki8,316 people1,021 people12.3%

Life by school district and area

Because Sakyo is large, the supermarkets, hospitals and childcare facilities listed here includenearby areas families would normally use, not only facilities strictly inside each districtas part of the practical living area. In northern Sakyo, cars and buses become more important, so the assumptions differ from the urban south.

下鴨小学校区

  • School:下鴨小 → 下鴨中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:Tadasu no Mori, the Kamo River and Shimogamo Shrine are part of daily life, with quiet residential streets and independent shops side by side.
  • Shopping:Coop Shimogamo and other stores appear in Kyoto City's official retail information.[Sakyo Ward retail stores]
  • Hospitals / healthcare:The Sakyo Medical Association map lets you check clinics in the Shimogamo area.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:The Kamo River and Tadasu no Mori are close, ideal for outdoor time on foot or by bicycle.
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Options include Shimogamo, Soai and McLean kindergartens.[Kindergarten list] [Sakyo Ward childcare facilities]
  • Stations / transport:City buses are central, with access toward Demachiyanagi and Kitaoji stations.
  • Festivals / history:The Aoi Festival procession passes through Shimogamo Shrine.[下鴨神社 葵祭]

葵小学校区

  • School:葵小 → 下鴨中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:Between Kitayama and Shimogamo, this is a calm residential area with easy everyday access to the Botanical Gardens.
  • Shopping:Coop Shimogamo and similar stores are convenient.[Sakyo Ward retail stores]
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Search medical facilities in the Aoi area through the Sakyo Medical Association.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Kyoto Botanical Gardens is nearby; admission is free for junior-high students and younger, with nursing-room and stroller information available.[京都府立植物園]
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Options include Soai and Shimogamo kindergartens.[Kindergarten list]
  • Stations / transport:Kitayama and Kitaoji subway areas, plus city buses.
  • Festivals / history:Part of the Shimogamo–Kitayama cultural area; the ward's official overview explains Sakyo's formation and local history.[Sakyo Ward overview]

Matsugasaki Elementary School District

  • School:Matsugasaki Elementary → Shimogamo Junior High.[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:A calm, low-rise residential area centered on Matsugasaki Subway Station.
  • Shopping:Shopping routes extend toward Shimogamo, Takano and Takaragaike.[Sakyo Ward retail stores]
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Local clinics can be checked under the Matsugasaki section of the Sakyo Medical Association.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Easy access to Takaragaike Park and Children's Paradise.[Takaragaike Park]
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Seiko Kindergarten, a certified kindergarten-type children's center, is located in Matsugasaki.[Kindergarten list]
  • Stations / transport:Matsugasaki Subway Station provides direct Karasuma Line service to Shijo and Kyoto Station.
  • Festivals / history:The 'Myo' and 'Ho' bonfires of Gozan Okuribi are on Matsugasaki Nishiyama and Higashiyama.[Kyoto Gozan Okuribi]

北白川小学校区

  • School:北白川小 → 近衛中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:Close to Kyoto University and Kyoto University of the Arts, with both foothill and student-town character.
  • Shopping:Shirakawa Service Center (Daikokuya) and other stores appear in official city retail information.[Sakyo Ward retail stores]
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Japan Baptist Hospital is in Kitashirakawa Yamanomoto-cho, and local clinics can also be checked through the Sakyo Medical Association.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Close to the Shirakawa Canal, Philosopher's Path and the nature of Mt. Uryu.
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Options include Kitashirakawa Kindergarten.[Kindergarten list] [Sakyo Ward childcare facilities]
  • Stations / transport:City buses are central, with routes toward Demachiyanagi, Imadegawa and Kyoto Station.
  • Festivals / history:Kitashirakawa retains the historical character of the former Shirakawa village.[Sakyo Ward overview]

養正小学校区

  • School:養正小 → 高野中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:Running north–south from Demachiyanagi to Mototanaka, this area is close to Kyoto University, the Kamo River and the Eizan Railway and is easy to navigate by bicycle.
  • Shopping:Shopping toward Demachiyanagi and Takano is convenient.
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Local medical facilities can be checked under the Yosei section of the Sakyo Medical Association.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Easy access to the Kamo and Takano rivers.
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Kyoto City's Yosei Nursery is located in Tanaka Genkyo-cho.[Sakyo Ward childcare facilities]
  • Stations / transport:Eizan Railway Mototanaka and Demachiyanagi stations, plus city buses.
  • Festivals / history:The Tanaka–Demachiyanagi living area mixes university life with residential neighborhoods.

養徳小学校区

  • School:養徳小 → 高野中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:An urban area from Takano to Ichijoji with many shopping, dining and transport options.
  • Shopping:The Takano living area contains many of Sakyo's large and medium-sized stores.[Sakyo Ward retail stores]
  • Hospitals / healthcare:The Yotoku section of the Sakyo Medical Association lists multiple internal medicine, pediatrics, ENT and ophthalmology clinics.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Parks and walking routes along the Takano River and toward Ichijoji.
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Oto and Futaba kindergartens are among nearby options.[Kindergarten list]
  • Stations / transport:Eizan Railway Ichijoji and Chayama/Kyoto University of the Arts stations, plus city buses.
  • Festivals / history:Ichijoji's shopping streets and ramen culture provide plenty of everyday options for younger households.

修学院小学校区

  • School:修学院小 → 修学院中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:Around Eizan Shugakuin Station, everyday shops coexist with the calm atmosphere at the foot of Mt. Hiei.
  • Shopping:Everyday shopping is concentrated around Shugakuin Station and toward Ichijoji.
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Local medical facilities can be checked under Shugakuin Daiichi in the Sakyo Medical Association.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Takaragaike Park is also accessible.[Takaragaike Park]
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Options include Shugakuin Nursery.[Sakyo Ward childcare facilities]
  • Stations / transport:Eizan Railway Shugakuin Station and city buses.
  • Festivals / history:Historic scenery around Shugakuin Imperial Villa and Manshu-in is nearby.

修学院第二小学校区

  • School:修学院第二小 → 修学院中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:From Ichijoji to southern Shugakuin, urban convenience can be combined with proximity to Higashiyama.
  • Shopping:Supermarkets and shops around Ichijoji and Takano are convenient.
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Check local healthcare under Shugakuin Daini in the Sakyo Medical Association.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Ichijoji Park and the Takano River area are nearby.
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Options include Futaba Kindergarten; Kyoto City also publishes current childcare availability.[Kindergarten list] [保育受入枠]
  • Stations / transport:叡山電鉄一乗寺駅・修学院駅。
  • Festivals / history:Ichijoji's temples, shrines and shopping-street culture are part of daily life.

上高野小学校区

  • School:上高野小 → 修学院中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:Closer to Takaragaike and Yase, this area combines nature with connections to the Eizan Railway and subway.
  • Shopping:Life Takaragaike and other stores appear in official city retail information.[Sakyo Ward retail stores]
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Local clinics can be checked under Kamitakano in the Sakyo Medical Association.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Takaragaike Park's Children's Paradise is a major advantage.[Children's Paradise]
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Options include Kiku-no-Hana and Kyoto Kirara kindergartens.[Kindergarten list]
  • Stations / transport:Eizan Railway Takaragaike and Miyake-Hachiman stations, plus access toward Kokusaikaikan Subway Station.
  • Festivals / history:Easy to make the nature of Mt. Hiei's foothills and Takaragaike part of everyday life.

岩倉南小学校区

  • School:岩倉南小 → 洛北中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:A family area with relatively newer residential neighborhoods around Kokusaikaikan.
  • Shopping:Coop Iwakura, Life Takaragaike and other stores appear in official city data.[Sakyo Ward retail stores]
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Local clinics can be searched under Iwakura-minami in the Sakyo Medical Association.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Takaragaike Park and Children’s Paradise are nearby.[Takaragaike Park]
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:The Iwakura area has several kindergartens, including Iwakura and Meitoku.[Kindergarten list]
  • Stations / transport:Kokusaikaikan Subway Station and Eizan Railway Iwakura Station.
  • Festivals / history:Iwakura has a relatively large residential population among northern Sakyo areas.

岩倉北・明徳小学校区

  • School:岩倉北小/明徳小 → 洛北中。[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:Northern and central Iwakura, with many detached homes and mountains close by.
  • Shopping:Daily shopping centers around Coop Iwakura and the broader Iwakura living area.[Sakyo Ward retail stores]
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Check local healthcare through Meitoku and other sections of the Sakyo Medical Association.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Walks along the Iwakura River and access toward Takaragaike.
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Options include Iwakura Kindergarten and Kyoto Municipal Meitoku Kindergarten.[Kindergarten list]
  • Stations / transport:Connections via Eizan Railway Iwakura Station, Kyoto Bus and Kokusaikaikan Subway Station.
  • Festivals / history:With roots in the former Iwakura village, the area offers a more suburban lifestyle than central Kyoto.

錦林・第三錦林・第四錦林小学校区

  • School:Kinrin / Daisan Kinrin / Daiyon Kinrin elementary schools; junior-high destinations split between Okazaki and Konoe.[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:Around Okazaki, Shogoin, Yoshida and the Philosopher's Path, cultural facilities, universities and hospitals are densely concentrated.
  • Shopping:Shopping routes extend toward Okazaki, Higashiyama and Demachiyanagi.
  • Hospitals / healthcare:Kyoto University Hospital is in Shogoin Kawahara-cho; local clinics can also be checked through the Sakyo Medical Association.[京大病院] [Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Okazaki Park, the Kamo River and Philosopher's Path provide many options for outdoor play and walks.
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Options include Kurotani, St. Maria and Yoshida kindergartens.[Kindergarten list]
  • Stations / transport:Keihan Jingu-Marutamachi and city buses; Higashiyama Subway Station is also usable from some locations.
  • Festivals / history:Historic assets include Heian Jingu, the Okazaki cultural zone, Yoshidayama and Kurodani.

Northern areas such as Yase, Ichihara, Ohara and Hanase

  • School:Schools include Yase Elementary, Ichihara Elementary, Ohara combined school and Hanase combined school.[Kyoto City school attendance zones]
  • Neighborhood:The natural environment is a major attraction, but transport, shopping and healthcare conditions differ greatly from central Kyoto.
  • Shopping:In some areas, everyday shopping requires planning for trips toward Shugakuin or Iwakura in addition to local stores.
  • Hospitals / healthcare:For healthcare, distance and transport are important; use the Sakyo Medical Association's local provider search.[Sakyo Medical Association]
  • Parks / recreation:Nature experiences involving mountains, rivers and forests are exceptionally rich.
  • Nurseries / kindergartens:Childcare and school availability varies greatly by area; check the latest facility information and openings.[Sakyo Ward childcare facilities] [保育受入枠]
  • Stations / transport:Depending on the area, consider Eizan Railway, Kyoto Bus and/or a private car.
  • Festivals / history:Ohara, Kurama and Hanase retain rural mountain culture and traditional events.[Sakyo Ward overview]

Sakyo is especially strong for parks and nature

Takaragaike Park: Children's ParadiseThe Children's Paradise area covers about 43,000 m² and includes large play equipment, water play and lawns.[Kyoto City: Takaragaike Park]
Kyoto Botanical GardensLocated in Shimogamo Hangi-cho; admission is free for junior-high students and younger, with nursing-room and stroller information available.[京都府立植物園]
鴨川・高野川Even in urban areas such as Shimogamo, Yosei and Yotoku, riverside walks and outdoor play are easy to include in daily life.

Use official lists for childcare, kindergarten and healthcare

保育施設Sakyo's official list includes addresses, capacity, accepted ages and opening hours.[左京区 保育施設一覧]
幼稚園The official list includes 15 kindergartens in areas such as Iwakura, Kitashirakawa, Shimogamo, Matsugasaki, Ichijoji, Okazaki and Yoshida.[京都市 幼稚園一覧]
地域医療The Sakyo Medical Association allows searches by area, including Shindo, Kitashirakawa, Yotoku, Shimogamo, Aoi, Matsugasaki, Shugakuin, Kamitakano and Iwakura-minami.[Sakyo Medical Association provider map]

Kyoto's local traditions can become part of a child's memories

The Aoi Festival in Shimogamo and the 'Myo' and 'Ho' bonfires in Matsugasaki are historic events close to everyday life. Seeing them not only as tourist events but as part of local life—including traffic restrictions, community events and neighborhood activities—changes how school-district choice in Kyoto looks.[葵祭] [Kyoto Gozan Okuribi]

See a separate guide for public family support

Medical subsidies, child allowance, pregnancy support, childcare systems and home-purchase support are summarized in"Where to Raise Children in Kyoto? Public Family Support"in a separate guide.

FAMILY & HOME

Choose where to live by looking at both school districts and everyday life.

Once you have a candidate address, check the official attendance zone, nearby facilities and property conditions together.

Ask SHUJU about housing →
Main references and verification sources

School assignment is determined by exact address and lot number. 'Nearby examples' may include facilities near or across district boundaries. Before signing a housing contract, always confirm Kyoto City's latest attendance-zone data and current facility information.