Kurama and Kibune
Kurama and Kibune, Kyoto
Two mountain villages north of the city, joined by a hiking trail over the ridge. Kurama-dera is where, legend says, the young Ushiwakamaru learned swordsmanship from the tengu, and the path to its inner sanctuary crosses the Ki-no-ne Michi, a stretch of ground covered in cedar roots. In the next valley, Kifune Shrine honours the god of water, and in summer the restaurants along the Kibune River serve meals on platforms over the water.
Insider tip
The Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi takes 31 minutes to Kurama and 28 to Kibuneguchi. Kurama-dera asks ¥500 to enter, and its cable car skips the first climb for a ¥200 donation (on foot it's about 30 minutes from the gate to the main hall). Kifune Shrine is free. From Kibuneguchi station take Kyoto Bus 33 or walk 2 km up the valley.
What the guides say about Kurama and Kibune
Nara is about 35 minutes away by Kintetsu limited express, Uji 17 minutes on the JR Miyakoji Rapid, and the Eizan Railway gets you to Kurama and Kibune from Demachiyanagi in about half an hour. The day trips guide has more.
What's on near Kurama and Kibune
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Kurama and Kibune, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Bamboo-cutting Ceremony at Kurama-dera
竹伐り会式（鞍馬寺）
Station Kurama (Eizan Railway)
Monks dressed as warrior monks split into Omi and Tanba teams and race to hack through green bamboo poles that stand in for great serpents, and the race is read as a forecast of the harvest. The rite recalls a Heian-period monk who killed a serpent here, and it's said to be a thousand years old.
Kurama Fire Festival
鞍馬の火祭
Time From 18:00 Station Kurama (Eizan Railway), 6 min walk
From 18:00 the bonfires stacked outside the houses of Kurama are lit, and children and then young men carry burning pine torches through the village chanting sairei, sairyo. Later Yuki Shrine's two mikoshi come down the steps and go round the village to the otabisho, where kagura and four big torches end the night.
Hanakuyo Flower Offering at Kurama-dera
鞍馬山の花供養
Station Kurama (Eizan Railway), 30 min walk up the mountain or by cable car
Eight days in mid April when the mountain's unzu-zakura cherries flower, later than in the city, and flowers, tea, music and dance are offered at the main hall.
Wesak Full Moon Festival at Kurama-dera
五月満月祭（鞍馬寺）
Time From 19:00 Station Kurama (Eizan Railway), 30 min walk up the mountain or by cable car
On the night of May's full moon everyone on the mountaintop holds up a candle together and prays for peace. Kurama-dera sets the date by the moon each year.
Kurama Fire Festival
鞍馬の火祭
Time 18:00 to past midnight Station Kurama (Eizan Railway), 6 min walk
Villagers carry huge pine torches through Kurama to cries of 'saireya, sairyo', re-creating the welcome given to the shrine's god in 940, and the whole village burns until after midnight. Cars are barred between Kibuneguchi and Kurama Onsen from 15:00 and every car park is closed, so take the Eizan train.
Nearby
Good to know
- How do I get to Kurama and Kibune?
- The nearest station is Kurama, Kibuneguchi (Eizan Railway). Kurama and Kibune is in Kurama and Kibune, Kyoto.
- How much does Kurama and Kibune cost?
- Kurama and Kibune is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Kurama and Kibune?
- Plan for half day.
- When is the best time to visit Kurama and Kibune?
- Summer or autumn.
Stay near Kurama and Kibune
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