What other travelers are saying about Kifune Shrine
Visiting Kifune Shrine 貴船神社 was a wonderful experience surrounded by nature and peaceful atmosphere. The moment you arrive, you can feel the cool mountain air and the gentle sound of the flowing stream, which already makes the place feel very refreshing. Walking up the famous stone steps with the red lanterns on both sides is a beautiful sight, and it creates a very memorable approach to the shrine.
The shrine itself feels quiet and spiritual, with a lovely setting among tall trees and clear water. It’s easy to understand why people come here to pray for good fortune and relationships. The natural scenery around the shrine changes beautifully with each season, especially during summer when the forest is full of green, or autumn when the leaves turn warm colors.
Kifune Shrine offers a calm escape from the busy city and a chance to enjoy Kyoto’s nature in a very charming way. It was a wonderful visit, and I would gladly return again to enjoy the atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. 🌿✨
Kifune Shrine, a serene sanctuary nestled in the verdant mountains north of Kyoto, is dedicated to the deity of water and rain. This ancient shrine complex, over 1600 years old, comprises three shrines, each offering unique spiritual and aesthetic experiences.
Accessing Kifune Shrine involves a scenic journey from Kyoto Station to Kibuneguchi Station, followed by a bus or taxi ride. For those inclined to a leisurely approach, a walk from Kibuneguchi Station through the beautiful countryside is also an option. Upon arrival, a set of lantern-lined stairs leads visitors to the shrine's main hall.
Kifune Shrine is celebrated for its water-based fortune telling, mizuura mikuji, where fortunes appear on paper when immersed in water. Additionally, the shrine's architecture, particularly the Nagare-zukuri style of the main hall and the striking stone staircase showcases traditional Japanese design. Various festivals and events throughout the year, including the enchanting Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival), offer visitors a deeper connection to Japanese culture and the shrine's spiritual ambiance.
After visiting Kifune Shrine, you can explore the charming town of Kibune, the mystical Kurama-dera Temple, and the majestic Mt. Hiei, enriching your spiritual and cultural journey in Kyoto.
The shrine's origins are steeped in legend, with connections to water deities important for agriculture and Japan's prosperity. For centuries, it has been a pilgrimage site for emperors and commoners, seeking blessings for rain and water. Additionally, the shrine has been linked to poetic inspirations and is a celebrated spot for matchmaking, further embedding it in Japan's cultural and spiritual fabric.
I visited Kifune Shrine as it was all hyped up on social media due to its water omikuji
If you truly want to visit this temple and are in decent shape, I recommend you visit this temple in tandem with Kuramadera
A word of advice. Start from Kurama station and not the Kibune side
Starting from the Kurama side is already quite a hike but starting from the Kibune side is nothing but uphill for a long time
So in my opinion is this temple worth a visit?
Not on its own. But it’s nice if you add with the Kuramadera
Kibune Shrine really appreciated how calm it felt compared to more crowded shrines in central Kyoto. The location in the mountains gives it a cooler temperature and a more peaceful atmosphere. The stone steps with red lanterns at the main shrine are beautiful and well worth seeing.
• The shrine is spread across three areas (Main Shrine, Yui-no-Yashiro, and Okunomiya), and it’s best to visit them in that order, walking uphill.
• The water fortune (Mizu Omikuji) is a popular experience at the Main Shrine. The paper is blank at first and the message appears when placed in water.
• Public transport takes some planning. Most people reach Kibuneguchi by bus, then walk a short distance uphill.
• The paths include stairs and uneven ground, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
• It’s quieter in the early morning or late afternoon.
Transportation from Kyoto Station (two bus rides involved):
Route overview:
Kyoto Station → Subway → Bus → Bus → Kibune Shrine
1) Subway
From Kyoto Station, take the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line toward Kokusaikaikan.
• Get off at Kokusaikaikan Station (K01)
• Travel time: about 20 minutes
• Fare: ¥290
2) Walk to bus stop
Exit via Exit 4-1, then walk 3–5 minutes to the bus stop in front of the station.
3) First bus: Kokusaikaikan → Kibuneguchi
From Bus Stop No. 3, take Kyoto Bus No. 54 or Special 54 bound for Kibuneguchi.
• Do not take Bus No. 52 going toward Kurama or Kurama Onsen
• Always check that the destination sign clearly says “Kibuneguchi”
• Travel time: about 20 minutes (16 stops)
• Fare: ¥310
• Board from the rear door, exit from the front
• ICOCA / Suica accepted (tap when boarding and when getting off)
4) Second bus: Kibuneguchi → Kibune Shrine
At Kibuneguchi, transfer to the local bus going up to Kibune Shrine (Main Shrine).
• Short ride of a few minutes
• Fare: about ¥200
• Board from the rear door, exit from the front
• Only tap once when getting off
• ICOCA / Suica accepted
A truely serene temple visit to get away from the popular Kyoto shrines. High up in the mountains early on a fresh morning was just what my soul needed.
Highly recommend getting there early or even stay the night if accom is available.
Kifune, easily accessible from Kyoto is a small village trailing along the kibune river. You can opt to take a bus from Kibuneguchi station which brings you closer to Kifune shrine, though walking isn't so bad since the path is breathtakingly nature filled. Kifune shrine is dedicated to the water god, many come here to experience the water soaking fortune-telling at the main shrine. Further north the main shrine you can find many other shrines in particular the founding Kifune shrine. There is also many restaurants around the area which offers traditional riverside dining, something of an unique experience. Came here on a weekday during November, surprisingly crowded despite being in a pretty isolated location. I recommend starting from Kifune then proceeding to Kurama, it's more tiring going upwards but I prefer that than hiking down, the trail is also quite steep.
