Hike and explore the Kurama and Kibune ancient Paths
- 5h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
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.
Inclusions
What's included
- Transportation during the tour
- English speaking guide
- Entry fees at all tour locations
What's not
- Lunch
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.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 58
- 40
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Ratings come from 8 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Starbucks Coffee — Kyoto Tower Sando Exit Kyoto Station via the Central Exit on the north side of the station. The Starbucks is on the first floor of the Kyoto Tower Sando commercial building We’ll be waiting there with a “Snow Monkey Resorts” sign.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 12 travellers
- Operated by
- Snow Monkey Resorts Tours (Machinovate Japan Ltd.)
- 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
How it compares in Kyoto
- Its from-price is 55% above the median of the 1713 experiences we list in Kyoto.
- It is longer than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 552 of 1713.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan's imperial capital for over a thousand years, is a city of temples, gardens, wooden townhouses and refined traditions.
The city holds many of Japan's most treasured sites. Fushimi Inari Taisha's thousands of vermilion torii gates climb a wooded mountain, Kinkaku-ji's Golden Pavilion shimmers over its pond, and Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage juts from the hillside above the city. The rock garden of Ryoan-ji and the mossy grounds of Ginkaku-ji invite quiet contemplation.
Top-ranked sights in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha), Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Special offers in Kyoto
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
