Hike and explore the Kurama and Kibune ancient Paths
Description
Escape the bustling streets of Kyoto and immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Kurama-dera Temple and Kifune-jinja Shrine. Tucked away in the forested mountains north of Kyoto, the scenic trail connecting the villages of Kurama (鞍馬) and Kibune (木船) offers a breathtaking blend of history, nature, and spirituality. On this guided hike, you'll journey through sacred temple grounds, uncover sacred shrines and natural sites that are believed to hold spiritual energy, and navigate a rugged yet rewarding mountain trail that has drawn monks, warriors, and mystics for centuries.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our journey begins at Kyoto Station at 9:30 A.M., where we take the Karasuma Subway Line to Kokusaikaikan Station. From there, we enjoy a short 15-20 minute walk through a quiet residential area to Iwakura Station on the Eizan Railway. We board the scenic Eizan Railway and enjoy a peaceful ride through the northern Kyoto countryside. After about 30 minutes, we arrive at Kurama Station, the gateway to the sacred mountain. We start our hike at Kurama-dera, a historic temple perched on the slopes of Mount Kurama. Kurama-dera is home to an awe-inspiring main hall with panoramic views and mysterious guardian statues. Beneath the temple, you’ll find a powerful spiritual site where pilgrims leave locks of hair as offerings, seeking divine protection and blessings. The temple and mountain also hold a special place for Reiki practitioners.
From here, we embark on a scenic mountain hike, traversing dense cedar forests, hidden shrines, and steep stairways. The trail is steep and uneven in parts, making navigation tricky—especially in wet or hot weather—but your guide ensures a safe and steady pace while sharing the stories and legends of this mystical route. Descending into the peaceful village of Kibune, we arrive at the revered Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the goddess of water and rain. This atmospheric shrine is known for its iconic red lantern-lined staircase, a picturesque spot that captures the beauty of every season. Here, visitors can write wishes on special water-activated omikuji (fortune papers) and watch their fortunes appear magically on the surface of the sacred spring water. After our shrine visit, we take a short bus ride down to Kibuneguchi Station, where we board the Eizan Railway back to Kyoto.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(8)
What an amazing experience! Kyoto has so much to offer and we wanted to experience the beautiful mountains and this tour exceeded our expectations. Our tour guides were not only friendly and knowledgeable but they were kind and fun to be with. The beauty of Kurama-dera Temple and Kifune-jinja Shrine were beautifully tucked into the mountains. Such a tranquil place. The trail through the Kurama mountains was very exhilarating. We also enjoyed taking the Eizan Railway and seeing the scenic mountains it was very special. I want to thank our tour Guides Garrett and Kazumasa for being so wonderful! Can't wait to come back to Japan to have more wonderful adventures.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the Kurama area, from Kurama-dera and Kifune-jinja to the beautiful mountain trail and scenic Eizan Railway ride. It’s great to know the day exceeded your expectations and that the experience felt both tranquil and exciting at the same time. We’re especially happy that Gareth and Kazumasa helped make the tour fun, welcoming, and memorable for you. Thank you again for joining us, and we truly look forward to welcoming you back to Japan for more adventures in the future!
Great for active explorers, beautiful towns and paths along the way, shinto shrines . Very spiritual. Justine was a great guide, paced th rows to my needs and shared so much about the history and significance of the area.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the spiritual atmosphere of Kurama and Kibune, from the mountain paths to the beautiful shrines along the way. Justin will be especially happy to hear your kind words. We're glad he was able to tailor the pace to your needs and help bring the history and significance of the area to life. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan again soon!
My hike on mount Kurama was beyond my expectations!! My tour guide, Justin from Snow Monkey Resorts Kyoto, was brilliant! He was friendly, helpful, kind and I felt safe to go with him on this unique adventure! I totally recommend this hike!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that your day on Mount Kurama exceeded your expectations. Justin will be especially happy to hear your kind words. Creating a fun, safe, and memorable experience is something he truly cares about, and we're glad his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm helped make the day so special. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan for another adventure soon!
I highly recommend this “Sacred Peaks and Ancient Paths” trip. It ideally ended up being just me and the guide, Justin. Justin was fantastic: knowledgeable, helpful, and moreover, compassionate as I happened to be experiencing some challenging family stuff. He perfectly read my needs and allowed the tour to unfold in a way that was deeply meaningful. He gave me gentle direction and allowed me some space. What a beautiful area to visit. This tour allowed the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Shinto and Buddhist practices as well as to get to know to region. Would love to come back!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. It was truly a pleasure spending the day with you in Kurama and Kibune. I especially enjoyed our conversations throughout the hike. What a small world it was to discover that you had read a book written by a friend of mine—it's not a connection I ever expected to make on a mountain trail in Kyoto! I'm glad the day was able to unfold at a pace that felt right for you. The forests, temples, and shrines of Kurama and Kibune have a special atmosphere, and I hope the experience brought a little peace and space for reflection during a difficult time. Thank you again for joining me, and I would be delighted to welcome you back to Kyoto someday.
We enjoyed our day walking the trail with our guide Justin. He’s passionate and highly knowledgeable about Japan, the culture and tradition. We would definitely recommend this tour!
Thank you so much for your kind review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed walking the Kurama trail with Justin. He loves sharing the history, culture, and traditions of Japan, so he'll be especially happy to know his passion helped make the day memorable for you. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Japan soon!
I had an amazing time on the Kurama–Kibune hiking experience with Justin. The hike itself was absolutely beautiful, with peaceful forest trails, mountain views, and a great balance of nature and culture. Justin was a fantastic guide — He explained the history and significance of the area in a way that was really engaging, and he made sure the pace was comfortable throughout the hike. I’d highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a scenic and memorable mountain hike near Kyoto.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the beauty of Kurama and Kibune, from the forest trails and mountain scenery to the area's rich history and culture. Justin will be especially happy to hear your kind words. He always aims to make the experience both informative and enjoyable, while ensuring everyone can explore at a comfortable pace. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back to Kyoto again someday!
Excellent experience, the guide was very friendly. The views of the place were really beautiful and the temple felt magical. It's not a strenuous hike, so I recommend it for most people.
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the magical atmosphere of Kurama. It's also great to know you found the hike enjoyable and accessible. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Japan someday!
This hike through Kurama and Kibune was one of the highlights of my trip. Justin, as a guide was friendly, generous with his knowledge, and shared insights into hidden spots beyond the usual tourist path — but you’ll have to join the tour yourself to discover what they are - I am not giving them away! The area offered a chance to explore a Buddhist landscape in a way that felt peaceful and immersive, without the crowds and noise of more frequented sites. The trail itself was both grounding and invigorating, surrounded by forest, mountain air, and a sense of quiet reverence Fun fact: I’ve studied Usui Reiki, and this mountain is where Mikao Usui is said to have received his teachings — standing there carried a special kind of serendipitous energy and meaning Highly recommend this tour if you want a mindful, enriching way to experience Kyoto’s spiritual roots
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. It was a pleasure spending the day with you exploring Kurama and Kibune. I'm especially glad the mountains held such personal meaning for you through your connection to Reiki and Mikao Usui. We were also fortunate with the weather, and having a deer quietly accompany us along part of the trail felt like one of those special moments you can't plan for. Thank you for your kind words, and I hope to welcome you back to Kyoto someday.
