What other travelers are saying about Kurama-dera Temple
There's 2 point of entry to this shrine. There are multiple tiny shrines along the way. I happened to enter the West Gate. Which I almost dead walking up the trail. It is rocky and steep walking up the shrine. The views are breathtaking - literally breathtaking while hiking. It is a easy hike up. You pay a small fee - I think it was roughly 700 yen (cash only). Hiking sticks and a map are provided. Take plenty of water with you. I do not recommend doing this hike during summer. The heat will get to you.
The shrine was beautiful. I stayed for a short while to take in the views and the reward of walking up the mountain. I wish I could have stayed longer but I was rushing to the cable car as it was raining half way through my walk. There are toilets available at some shrines along the way.
There is a cable car at the other point of entry but I would suggest walking from the west gate first if you want to visit the whole area. This will also be a train ride back instead of waiting for the bus in Kifune. When exiting to the Niomon Gate, Kurama Station is a 5 min walk away through the quiet streets. You'll find the Mount Kurama Daitengu sculpture at the front of the train station, along with the train sculpture.
This is something to experience. It is a little off the grid and not nearly as crowded. We went in mid May. We took our time once of the fernicular going up first hill. We did the walk over the mountain to Kibune. It was a wonderful walk with a fair amount alone. We were spaced out and occasionally passed people coming in other direction. It was unexpected when a wild monkey crossed our path and we saw 2 more cleaning up.
Recommend training to enter Kumadera and walk to Kibune to eat, catch an Uber back to the On-Sen and then train back to Kyoto.
It was beautiful shrine up the hill, we went there in summer so it was really challenging. But once we’re there, it’s worth every step. If you love hiking then this is the place, we did it around 4 hours to go up and down. We paused many times due to the heat, bring water to avoid dehydration
Kurama-dera Temple is a peaceful gem in the mountains just north of Kyoto. What like about it is that it has lesser tourists here compared to other famous temples. The hike up is scenic, passing through towering cedar trees and offering fresh mountain air-well worth the effort, though there’s also a cable car if you prefer that will cost you 200¥ per person for one way trip. Our hike took us slightly more than an hour to reach the main temple area. Along the way, we even spotted few deers along hiking path. It was worth it!
We then took the cable car down and the view was beautiful although the trip down was just about 2 minutes long.
The temple itself is spacious, rarely crowded, and features stunning views over the valley. If you love nature, history, or just want a break from the city crowds, Kurama-dera is a fantastic and memorable spot to visit.
What a gem! Went there in the morning during the busy Sakura season and it was almost empty. Very quiet and serene. Took the ropeway walked to the top and then went through root path to Kibune. It was a great 1/2 day trip including visiting both temple and shrine and lunch in Kibune.
Visitors can explore the Main Hall worshiping Sonten, a trinity deity, experience the spiritual power at the Kongoshō Six-Pointed Star, and visit the Maō-den Inner Sanctuary dedicated to a deity believed to have descended from Venus. The temple also offers a scenic cable car ride and a hiking trail connecting to Kibune Village.
Kurama-dera is accessible from central Kyoto by the Eizan Railway. It is a scenic 30-minute ride from Demachi-Yanagi Station to Kurama Station, and the temple is just a short walk away.
Hiking from Kurama to Kibune is highly recommended. It offers an enchanting experience through the forest with stunning natural and artificial beauty. The journey is as captivating as the destination itself, with giant Japanese cedar trees and small shrines along the way.
Kurama-dera is a year-round destination, and each season offers a unique atmosphere. Spring and autumn are trendy for the cherry blossoms and the colorful foliage, respectively. Winter brings a serene beauty to the temple, especially if you're lucky enough to visit it covered in snow, offering a tranquil and picturesque setting.
Yes, Kurama-dera provides basic amenities for visitors, including parking in the vicinity. The temple is also equipped with a cable car for those who prefer not to hike, offering a convenient and scenic option to reach the main temple buildings.
