Kurama Temple (鞍馬寺), also known as Kurama-dera in Japanese, is the representative temple on Mt. Kurama in Kyoto established in 770. The temple is well-known among the Japanese because the famous military commander Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源 義経) was trained there during his youth. In addition, it is likely the only temple in Japan (or perhaps even in the world) that has a cable car as the primary means of transportation for pilgrims to access its main worship hall from the mountain gate. Whilst you can undoubtedly hike your way up, be prepared to trek through some steep mountain trails that continue for 30 minutes.
The Attractions in Kurama-dera
- From Kurama Station to Kurama-dera Temple
- Yuki Shrine (由岐神社)
- Taking the Mt. Kurama Cable Railway to Kurama-dera’s Main Worship Hall
- Senshin-tei Pavilion (洗心亭)
- Kurama-dera Temple’s Main Worship Hall: Kondō
- Reihōden (霊宝殿)
- Kurama-dera’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- The Kurama Kibune Hike
From Kurama Station to Kurama Temple
From Kurama Station to Kurama Temple’s Niōmon Gate (仁王門), it is just a 5-minute walk.
The gate also serves as a ticket gate, where an entry fee of 500 yen is payable for each person as a contribution to the environmental maintenance fund.
Yuki Shrine (由岐神社)
A 5-minute walk from the Niomon Gate, you will find Yuki Shrine.
It was initially in Kyoto’s Imperial Palace until it was relocated. If you plan to trek to Kifune Shrine before taking the cable car, head left instead of right at the intersection near the gate.
Alternatively, you can always trek down from Kondō through the Tsudzuraori-sandō (九十九折参道) approach, which will lead to Yuki Shrine.
At Yuki Shrine, the gods who have the power to prevent disasters, grant childbirth, and have a happy marriage are enshrined here. It is also where one of Japan’s Three Biggest Fire Festivals is held. The entire ritual of Kurama no Himatsuri (鞍馬の火祭) starts at 9 am on the 22nd of October and ends in the morning on the following day.
The festival is also known as one of Kyoto’s Three Strangest Festivals. It ranked highly because the men who only cover their important parts and hold a large fire torch weighing 80 kg are part of the parade touring Kurama’s township. While it might not seem like a big deal to us now, it must be a rare sight in a city like Kyoto because everyone takes how they present themselves so seriously, but these men then parade through the town without being fully dressed.
The Sacred Great Cedar Tree
At Yuki Shrine, you will also find a gigantic 53-meter-tall cedar tree. The tree, over 800 years old, has been treated as an object of worship. So, if you pray to it, your wishes will be granted (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
The tiny shrine for the tree in front of it is extra cute compared to the big tree at the back!
Taking the Mt. Kurama Cable Railway to Kurama-dera’s Main Worship Hall
Instead of hiking up the mountain, you can utilize the Mt Kurama Cable Railway (鞍馬山鋼索鉄道) to get to Kurama Temple’s main worship hall.
To take the Mt Kurama Cable Railway (鞍馬山鋼索鉄道), after passing the Niōmon Gate, make a right turn at the intersection to get to Fumyōden (普明殿), where the cable car’s Mountain Gate Station (山門駅) is located.
- A one-way ticket to take Mt Kurama Cable Railway is
- 200 yen for adults
- 100 yen for elementary school students and younger children
- The Mt Kurama Cable Railway operates at a 15- to 20-minute interval from 8:40 am to 4:30 pm, but is extended to 5:00 pm from June to August.
It takes just 2 minutes to reach Tahōtō Station (多宝塔駅) at the top of Mt Kurama. The cable line length is only 191 meters, but the elevation difference between the two stations is 89 meters!
Following the path from Tahōtō Station (多宝塔駅), before you reach the main worship hall, Kondō (金堂), if you have friends or family who decide to climb all the way up through the stunning Tsudzuraori-sandō approach (九十九折参道), you should be able to meet them on the way.
Senshin-tei Pavilion (洗心亭)
Obviously, your friends and/or family who choose to hike won’t be able to reach the top of the mountain in 2 minutes. It will most likely take them 25 minutes or even longer if they take the scenic route. So, after you come up from Tahōtō Station (photo on the left below), you can wait for them at Senshin-tei (洗心亭), meet the Amitabha here, stroll around the gallery, and maybe even get some traditional sweets!
Kurama Temple’s Main Worship Hall: Kondō
Kondō is where the Kannon Bodhisattva (千手観音菩薩) and other Buddhist guardian gods, such as Vaisravana (毘沙門天), are enshrined. However, you have to be lucky enough to actually see them, because their statues are only displayed to the public once every 60 years.
So on a normal day, what you want to do is stand in the middle of Kongōshō (金剛床) in front of the Kondō. It is said that if you stand on the triangle in the hexagram, you can receive the power of the universe (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
While we didn’t feel anything different (maybe there were too many clouds in the sky?), it was undoubtedly fun to join the other pilgrims doing the same thing, and perhaps you can even take some funny photos!
Another unique aspect of Kurama-dera is that the guardian animal protecting the main hall is not a Komainu (狛犬).
Komainu is the dog or the lion-like statue you usually find on two sides of the worship hall. Instead, Kurama-dera has tigers – Aun no Tora (阿吽の虎) because they are the messengers of Vaisravana.
Also, just in front of Kondō, an observatory deck provides a wide view of the surrounding mountains.
If you visit Kurama-dera in autumn, photos from here are something you definitely don’t want to miss out on!
Reihō-den (霊宝殿)
Reihōden is Mt. Kurama’s museum, where you can discover the natural heritage of Mount Kurama, as well as the cultural properties that have been passed down through generations at Kurama Temple.
The museum is open from 9 am to 4 pm daily except on Mondays and from December 12th to February.
Upon entry, 200 yen will be charged.
Kurama-dera’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Kurama Temple Kondō Hall is open from 9 am to 4:15 pm.
- The Nionmon Gate is a 3-minute hike from Kurama Station (鞍馬駅).
- Refer to our Kurama and Kibune Area article for more information about how to get to Kurama from Kyoto.
The Kurama Kibune Hike
From Kurama Temple’s Kondō, you can trek to Kibune via the Kurama to Kibune trail. It is the mountain trail connecting Kurama Temple with Kibune Shrine Okumiya (奥宮).
The hike between Kurama and Kibune takes approximately 60 minutes. Along the trail, there are a few more attractions you can check out.
Ki no Nemichi (木の根道)
From Kondō, the promenade continues to the inner shrine, Maōden (魔王殿).
In between, you will pass through a cedar forest where the roots of the cedar trees are exposed. It is said that this is where the Tengus trained Minamoto no Yoshitsune in the mountains. With that in mind, this part of the forest feels a bit more mysterious!
The Inner Shrine: Maōden (魔王殿)
After around a 25-minute trek from Kondō, you will reach where the spirit king of the earth, Gohōmaō no Mikoto (護法魔王尊), is enshrined.
Apparently, the god came from Venus around 6.5 million years ago to save humanity. Whether you believe it or not, many have made their way to the shrine for some power and luck from the god (^_-)-☆.
Yōshūji (雍州路)
Just in front of Niōmon Gate of Kurama-dera Temple, there is a restaurant called Yoshsji that serves vegan cuisine, Shōjin Ryōri (精進料理). Their Kurama-dera traditional sesame tofu, part of the set menu, is a must-try when visiting Mt Kurama.
Depending on your appetite, you can enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine, which typically includes seafood and meat, starting from 2,200 yen.
The restaurant also has traditional dessert menus for you to enjoy after lunch or for afternoon tea (*´ω｀).
Yoshuji is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm except on Tuesdays.
Tip: Make a reservation HERE to secure your seat on the day.
Explore Other Parts of the Kurama and Kibune Area
Mt. Kurama and Kibune, located in the northernmost part of Kyoto City, are where locals head to escape the summer heat. Why? Because the best way to spend a summer day in Kyoto is to enjoy the Kawadoko (川床) cuisine at Kibune!
So, refer to our article on the Kurama and Kibune Area for more information on the must-visit spots near Kifune Shrine!
Discover Other Hidden Gems in Kyoto
Kyoto, a prefecture renowned for its Buddhist temples, palaces, and Shinto shrines, is Japan’s cultural capital and has become a major tourist destination worldwide. However, did you know that, in addition to the capital city of Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture boasts a plethora of hidden gems off the beaten path?
For more off-the-beaten-path attractions, refer to our article on The Top Hidden Gems in Kyoto That Are Worth Visiting!
