We will be spending five days in Kyoto at the end of March. Our 11-year old daughter will be traveling with us. We would like to expose her to some Japanese kids her own age, if there are any programs that do that. She is also interested in art.

Any suggestions on how we can make this trip more meaningful for her?

Not sure about the exposure to kids for tourists because we live here.

Arsty things we have all enjoyed in Kyoto as recently as last month with our 11 year old daughter include pottery making just below Kiyomizudera on the street with stairs (you'll know what I mean once you go there), Roketsu http://www.roketsu.com/ and Kyoyuzen http://www.kyo-komachi.com/koubou/english.html. Make reservations for the roketsu and kyoyuzen. Pottery is walk in and takes about 20 minutes and they will ship internationally.

There are lots more hands on things...but I will say that the set up in the Kyoto Handicraft Center was disappointing...no interaction (watch a dvd for instructions), and pretty low quality stuff for a high price, both in the experience area and for sale in the many floors of shopping...you really have to look to get around the made for tourists junk, and then you will pay a premium price for anything you buy.

In Arashiyama, we loved an hour long rickshaw tour, but I'm not sure if they offer English. The train and boat combo was good too...boat was heated and we saw winter cherry blossoms.

End of March is school holiday in Japan, before a new academic year starts in April. There is a scheme where you visit a Japanese home and meet people there, and if you ask for a family with similar aged children, you may be in luck.
Contact Kyoto City International Foundation at http://www.kcif.or.jp/en/
English spoken.

Not exactly an answer to your question, but...

We were in Kyoto in 2006 with our boys aged 11 and 13. Through the Women's Cultural Center, we took a calligraphy class and also went to a woman's home for a cooking lesson. Each was for just our family of 4. Lots of fun.

The boys also really enjoyed the walking tour with Johnnie Hillwalker.

Check this publication...it has lots of great ideas. http://www.kyoto.travel/what_to_do/i...Experience.pdf

Go to Kinkaku-ji and she will be descended upon by flocks of Japanese kids who are there to practice their English. Doing homework, I think, as they would ask a question out of a book and then write down the answer. Many grins and giggles.

acourse they may not be flocking if on school break!

is a flock bigger than a gaggle?

Great suggestions. We are putting the finishing touches on our itinerary and will work some of these suggestions into our travel plans.

Thanks again.

some additional info if you need

http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Japan/kyoto.htm

http://tinyurl.com/bt35oq

http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/travel/kyoto/index.html

Aloha!