We will visit Kuramadera which is a Buddhist temple located along the steep wooded mountainside. Behind the temple's main building, the hiking trail continues through the forest to Kibune, a small town famous for Kibune Shrine dedicated to the goddess of the water "Tamayorihime". The hike from Kurama-dera to Kibune takes about one hour. If you like, you can also enjoy "Onsen" hot spring at Kurama.
At your hotel in kyoto city area
Pick you up at your hotel
Kuramadera is known for its spirituality and breathtaking natural beauty. This temple protects the northern entrance of the ancient capital Kyoto from the intrusion evil spirits.
We walk through the beautiful mountain path covered with the roots of trees called "Kinonemichi."
This shrine is located in the northern part of Kyoto. It is the source of the "Kamogawa" river, which flows through city center.
Therefore, the deity of water has been enshrined and worshipped here in Kibune.
Let's have lunch and enjoy soaking in Onsen (Open air Spa) at Kurama Onsen resort after the hike (If you like)
See you off at Eiden Kurama Station
Eiden(Tram Train) Demachi Yanagi Station
Kurama is a rural town in the northern mountains of Kyoto City. Kurama is known for Kurama-dera Buddhist temple. It takes about 40 minutes to climb up to the temple's main hall. Along the ascent to Kurama-dera, Yuki Jinja,shrine is located, famous for its Fire Festival which is held on October 22. From the main hall, the hiking trail continues through the forest to Kibune. Kurama is very popular among Japanese people to visit, because of the many mysterious occult events such as "Tengu" legendary creature.
Kibune is a small town along the valley which developed around Kifune Shrine. Kifune Shrine is dedicated to the god of water. Here you can obtain a paper fortune slips that reveal their messages when dipped into water.
From June to September, restaurants in Kibune build platforms called "Kawadoko" out over the river where visitors can enjoy a meal.
After the hike, you can also enjoy bathing in the open-air Spa called "Rotenburo" at Kurama Onsen resort.
-My services as your Tour Guide
-My transportation fare
* This tour might be extended due to various circumstances such as weather or your physical conditions etc. In such case, I would NOT charge any extra guide fee.
-Entrance fees (Kuramadera: 500 yen per person)
-Taxi fare from your hotel to Demachi yanagi Tram station:around 1000 to 3000 yen per cab from city center
-Eiden Tram Train: 940 (470*2) yen per person
-Cable car: 200 yen per person
-Bus and train fare: 350 yen per person (170 yen for bus from kibune Jinja to Kibuneguchi Sta. 220yen for train from Kibuneguchi Sta. to Kurama Sta.)
-Lunch,drinks, and snacks
I usually use public transportation systems such as trains, buses, taxi, and so on.
I like outdoor activities. If you would like to do hiking, cycling etc., please feel free to ask me in advance.
-I recommend this tour from May to November.
-You are going to walk in Mountain area for about two hours. So I recommend you should wear sneakers or hiking shoes and bring a rain wear or umbrella in case of shower, and also bring some water and snacks to appease your thirst and hunger temporarily.
-You can take cable-car (200 yen)that leads about halfway up the mountain. In this case, you may skip Yuki jinja shrine.
-If you like to enjoy "Kawadoko" meal, please let me know, I will arrange it. Most restaurants serve meals that range in price from 10,000 to 20,000 yen per person. Dependig on the wether conditions, you may have lunch inside of the building.
-From Kibune to Kurama station via Kibuneguchi station, we usually use public transportation(Shuttle Bus and scenic train).
-Daytrippers can use the public open-air bath at the price of 1000 yen at Kurama Onsen resort.
-In case of rain, I would like to take you to Ohara district (Sanzen-in temple, and so on) after visiting Kuramadera temple and Kibune Shrine by my private vehicle.
Toichi was my private tour guide for the past 4 days. His knowledge of Kyoto and surrounding areas is unsurpassed. He taught me about the history, culture and food of Kyoto. We went to many temples and shrines and when I asked if we could change the schedule for the last 2 days he was very accommodating. I feel like he became my friend. Thank you Toichi for making my first trip to Japan so enjoyable and teaching me so much.
Hi! David san, Thank you for giving me such a wonderful review. The comment you gave me is more than I desrve. It was a great pleasure for me to share your precious time together. Atrigato-gozaimasu and I would like to say "Ookini-dosse!!" in Kyoto dialect. Koichi
We had an amazing experience with Koichi. He went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience in Nara. He came prepared to teach us about Japan’s history and culture. He was well-informed, earnest, and flexible. We asked him to visit some specific shops in Nara before the tour and he built that into our day. He’s been the highlight of our trip to Japan and we wish we could spend more time with him.
Hi! Keane san. Thank you for giving me such a great review. Arigato-gozaimasu! I am very happy to have had a wonderful time with you and your family. I wish we could have spent a little more time together. Please come again in the near future. Koichi
The tour with Koichi wasn't just informative, it was interactive. He encouraged questions, patiently explaining even the most obscure details. His positive attitude and ability to tailor the experience to our interests was characteristic we looked for. When we mentioned a fascination with Buddhist art, he pointed out hidden treasures within the Great Buddha Hall that most tourists miss. Buddha hands was positioned in the form of “have no fear” on the right hand, and “wishes are granted” with the left. Koichi pointed out pillar inside the Great Buddha Hall has a hole the size of the Buddha statue's nostril carved in the bottom. Of course I tried to crawl through the whole and was able to make it. Koichi was happy that I came out on the other side. But perhaps Koichi's greatest strength was his genuine warmth. He treated us not just as tourists, but as guests eager to discover Nara's hidden gems. He helped us navigate the bustling crowds at the park, ensuring we had ample time to interact with the friendly deer. Also, don’t forget to by buy dear feed for bowing deer of Nara. In Osaka Castle, we witnessed the museum of fierce battles between Tokugawa and Toyotomi clans which last for couple of decades. We concluded the trip in Dotonbori Foodies Town where Koichi showed us his friend and treated us the local beer Prepare to be amazed with the guidance of Koichi in Nara and Osaka!
Hi! I am very grateful for your wonderful review. I will always remember how much fun I had spending my days with you. I don't know if I was able to answer all of your questions properly, but your enthusiasm and curiosity have given me even more motivation. Thanks again. Arigato-gozaimasu! Koichi
Koichi was a fantastic guide who made our Kyoto adventure unforgettable. Kyoto is the first destination of our there day tours. He met us at the hotel with a smile, warm personality, enthusiasm and ready to navigate us to various famous places in Kyoto. Koichi wasn't just knowledgeable about the historical sites, he brought them to life with vivid stories and sketches. He could answer every question from us, from the complexities of Fushimi-Inari Shrine and its famous for many orange color gates like a tunnel to Sanjusangendo Temple architecture and its famous for 1001 statues of Kannon and the venue of archery contest. He rewarded us when we could locate the missing arrow from the archery completion. We walked around the Kyoto Imperial Palace, former palace of the Emperor of Japan and imagined the Imperial life in 17th century . At Kinkakuji Golden Temple, we were overwhelming with its magnificent beauty from different angle and ray of lights. He did not forget to take us to an authentic ramen on the way to the transfer station. This ramen place so particularly tasty that our family voted the best ramen for the whole trip in Japan. If you look for tour guide to accommodate your schedule or tailor the Itinerary to your interests, Koichi is the one. His expertise, passion, and genuine care made our Kyoto trip exceptional. If you're looking for a guide who goes beyond the typical tourist route and creates a truly personalized experience, then book Koichi!
Thank you very much for your heartwarming review and comments. I am very happy to have shared a wonderful time with you. This time we walked together through the main tourist attractions, but if you have a chance, let's go around the lesser known places, the real Japan. It is also fun to have a chance to interact with the local people. Koichi