Kurama Travel Guide

  Jizo in the Rocks
by Rabbityama
 
  • Jizo in the Rocks
      Jizo in the Rocks
    by Rabbityama
  • Bridge Along the Trail
      Bridge Along the Trail
    by Rabbityama
  • Candles beneath Kurama-dera
      Candles beneath Kurama-dera
    by mikegr
  • Autumn Foliage in Kurama
      Autumn Foliage in Kurama
    by Rabbityama
  • Kifune Okumiya Shrine
      Kifune Okumiya Shrine
    by Rabbityama
 

Explore Kurama

Things to Do  

Mount Kurama

Mount Kurama, Kurama

 Rabbityama Says:  The mountain is of course famous for Kurama-dera Temple, but it is also believed to one place where tengu live (the big-nosed half-bird, half-human creatures).One of the biggest draws to Kurama, though, is its nature. The forest is very serene and absolutely gorgeous in the... 

Kurama-dera Temple

Kurama-dera Temple, Kurama

 Rabbityama Says:  Kurama-dera Temple was founded by a monk in 770. Although the temple's main building is up the mountain (near the mid-way point along the path from Kurama to Kifune), it is actually spread out over the mountainside. The temple's gate is actually near Kurama Station, before... 

Yuki Shrine

Yuki Shrine, Kurama

 Rabbityama Says:  Yuki Shrine is the first shrine you will come across if you enter from Kurama Station. It is famous as the site of the Kurama Fire Festival held on October 22. It was built to protect Kyoto's northern borders from evil spirits that may try to enter during the Momoyama Period... 

Kifune Shrine

Kifune Shrine, Kurama

 Rabbityama Says:  Also called Kibune Shrine, this shrine is divided into three parts located within walking distance of one another. The main shrine that you see today is the first of the shrines along the road and the most modern. The most interesting thing here are the fortunes. They are on... 

Kurama Onsen

Kurama Onsen, Kurama

 Circle88 Says:  A good idea could be to start the hike from Kibune and finish at Kurama so you can enjoy a hot soak at Kurama Onsen. The view is very nice and the big bath is outdoors with a small indoors. The price is quite high at 1100 yen and I believe I smelled chlorine in the water.... 

Hiking Kurama Temple : Guide book

Hiking Kurama Temple : Guide book, Kurama

 reikijess Says:  Hiking Kurama is a beautiful thing to do especially in the fall when the leaves turn in mid November. There are so many great little spots, especially if you have an awareness of chi energy.A book recently came out, available on American amazon.com that talks about the... 

Experience a natural Sulphur Hot Spring.

Experience a natural Sulphur Hot Spring., Kurama

 meimivw Says:  This is probably main attraction of the town/village of Kurama. The Hot Spring! For about 1,100 yen, you enjoy the bath. Might be expensive to some but it's one of those things that you should not miss while you're in Japan. Go to the onsen after visiting Kurama temple.... 

Walk to the Onsen

Walk to the Onsen, Kurama

 meimivw Says:  There is free shuttle to the onsen, but walking will give you a better enjoyment because the onsen is not that far from the station. You get to see, feel, and breathe the fresh air of a japanese countryside. I highly recommend it. 

Kurama Onsen

Kurama Onsen, Kurama

 mikegr Says:  What could be better after a brisk walk than a soak in a hot steaming bath. And why not share your bath with your friends!!!!!Welcome to Kurama Onsen!For the outdoor onsen (rotembero) - when the bus drops you off walk towards the building on the right, up the slope. Buy a... 

A look at rural living

A look at rural living, Kurama

 mikegr Says:  Kurama is a charming village, and walking through the village from the Kibune walk to the onsen will give you the opportunity to see rural life in (slow motion) action. 

Beneath Kurama-dera (a crypt?)

Beneath Kurama-dera (a crypt?), Kurama

 mikegr Says:  When you go into the temple, Kurama-dera, don't miss the opportuinity to visit the crypt type place downstairs. There are stairs at both ends of the temple, but they are easy to miss if you are not looking for them.It is dimly illuminated with many lanterns hanging from the... 

Dragon spring

Dragon spring, Kurama

 mikegr Says:  Just down the hill from Kurama -dera temple complex, check out this spring sculpted like a dragon. These are commonly seen around Japaense temples, and I love them. this is another one of my favourites. 

Okuno-in Mao-den

Okuno-in Mao-den, Kurama

 mikegr Says:  Okuno-in Mao-den is the first (and possibly most attractive) of the sub-temples encountered after leaving Kibune, on the walk towards Kurama, about 15-20 minutes up the path.The picture is of a structure which you can't approach, as it is behind a wall, however it looks... 

Kibune-jinja ,Kibune - start of the walk to Kurama

Kibune-jinja ,Kibune - start of the walk to Kurama, Kurama

 mikegr Says:  Kibune-jinja shrine in Kibune may not be the most stunning shrine ever, but it is well worth doing the short detour in Kibune village to see it. To get there walk through the large red tori gate on the left in Kibune, and follow the red lanterns up the steps. 

Restaurants  

Kurama Onsen Restaurant: Hungry?
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meimivw 6 reviews
Hot Tofu!

After all the walking, hiking, bathing in Kurama, you might get hungry. The best place is to just eat at the onsen itself. Make sure you let the people know that you are there for food because somebody tried to stop me from entering the restaurant because most foreigners/tourist only visited the resort to experience the outdoor bath. So make sure to say something like "Tabetai" (I want to eat) or "Onaka Suita" (I'm hungry) to anybody who try to stop you from eating (in case the person don't speak english). But their service is stil great.

Favorite Dish: Uhh.....I can't read the kanji in the menu. So, I basically just point the hot tofu dish because I have been craving for it. But....all of them do look good.

Written May 19, 2005

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 Spa and Resort

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Transportation  

Getting to Kurama

Getting to Kurama, Kurama

 Rabbityama Says:  It's very easy to reach Kurama by train. First, if you are not on the Keihan Line, you need to get there. It runs through Eastern Kyoto. If you're at Kyoto Station, you can take a train to Tambabashi Station to transfer to the Keihan Line. If you're in Osaka on the loop, go... 

Free shuttle to Kurama Onsen

Free shuttle to Kurama Onsen, Kurama

 meimivw Says:  There is a free shuttle that will take you from the station to the onsen. I recommend walking to the onsen and take the shuttle when it's time to go back to station instead. 

Warnings and Dangers  

Make sure you don't look like a Yakuza
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1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

meimivw 6 reviews

Actually....I found this sign interesting. An australian exchange student told me that the sign said something like you will be kicked out of the facility or refused service if you look like a yakuza.

Written May 19, 2005

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Map of Kurama