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Kyoto Hiking Tour: The Nature and Legends of Kurama and Kibune

5.0(82 reviews)Kyoto, JapanOperated by Trip Designer Inc.
  • Duration8 hours
  • GroupPrivate tour
  • TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
  • LanguagesEnglish
  • BookingInstant confirmation

About this activity

Step into the spiritual side of Kyoto with a guided hike through Mount Kurama a peaceful retreat where tradition and nature meet. Birthplace of reiki (a healing technique) and home to the mythical tengu, this mountain holds a magical charm that feels worlds away from the city.

Walk through serene forest paths, discover hidden temples, and soak in the calm energy of the surroundings as you make your way to the quiet mountain village of Kibune, full of scenic beauty along the way.

・Leisurely hike from Kurama to Kibune through beautiful cedar forests ・Visit sacred temples and learn about reiki and local folklore ・Experience the peaceful charm of Kyoto’s mountain countryside

What to expect

8 hours6 stopsPrivate tour

  1. Yuki Shrine

    1073 Kuramahonmachi, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 601-1111, Japan

    20 minutesAdmission included

    Yuki Shrine was actually built in central Kyoto, but in 940 AD was moved to Kurama to protect the area from mysterious evil. One of the highlights of this mountainous shrine is an 800-year-old cedar tree which towers over the shrine at 53m tall.

  2. 1 hour

    The mountain is known as the birthplace of the holistic healing art called Reiki. In the early 1900s, the founder of Reiki, Mikao Usui, meditated for 21 days on this mountain and received the Reiki healing energy. Mikao Usui meditated near the top of the mountain at a site called Osugi Gongen, at the site of a great sacred tree said to be an incarnation of the god Maoson. Once you reached the mountain, you can sense positive chi surrounding you. As you stepped in the front door of the temple, you feel so comfortable spiritually and energetic physically. Somehow, you can link your spirit with the mountain, to soil beneath and the sky above you. It’s an excellent meditation experience just by walking around the mountain, maze of focus roots and the trees.

  3. Kurama-dera

    1074 Kuramahommachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 601-1111, Japan

    45 minutesAdmission included

    After exploring Yuki Shrine, you will meander though the forest on a pleasant 25 minute walk to the most famous shrine of the area – Kuramadera. Founded in the 8th century, Kuramadera is dedicated to the worship of mountains and nature, and has an incredible view over the surrounding mountain ranges, especially in Autumn. See how many long-nosed tengu (guardians of the mountain) you can spot.

  4. Okunoin Maoden

    1074, KuramahonmachI, Sakyo-Ku, InsIde Kurama Temple, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

    10 minutesAdmission included

    Nestled deep in the mountains is the Okunoin Maoden Temple. It is said to be where demons reign and has a very mysterious feeling about it.

  5. Kifune Shrine

    180 Kurama Kibunecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 601-1112, Japan

    30 minutesAdmission included

    Kifune Shrine is considered a place for sailors to go to pray for luck on their voyages and is dedicated to the God of water and rain. There are places where you can drink the pure mountain water fresh from the source, and many little streams dotted around the shrine. If you come in summer, expect to be charmed by the wildflowers, but it is no less stunning shrouded in autumn colours, or pure white snow. Be sure to try the mizuura mikuji (water fortune telling paper) which your guide can translate for you.

  6. Kifune Shrine

    55 Shichikuseihokucho, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 603-8426, Japan

    25 minutesAdmission included

    According to legend, a goddess traveled in a boat from Osaka all the way up the river into these mountains. This inner shrine of Kifune houses the boat it is said that she rode in.

Pickup & meeting point

Pickup is included for all travellers.

Pickup starts about 5 minutes before the departure time.

You can request a pickup location of your own.

Pickup locations121

The operator lists 121 pickup points. 40 are shown here; choose yours from the full list when you book.

Hotels & residences40

  • Ryokan Sanga526 Asakuracho, Sanjosagaru, Tominokojidori, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8074, Japan
  • Ryokan Kinsuikan531 Asakuracho Sanjo Sagaru Tominokoji, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8074, Japan
  • Watazen Ryokan413 Izutsuyacho, Yanaginobaba Rokkaku Sagaru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8113, Japan
  • Ryokan Kohro114 Horinouecho, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8117, Japan
  • Kyo no yado gion seiunan323-8 Furunishicho, Higashiyamaku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 605-0065, Japan
  • Dhawa Yura Kyoto84 Ohashicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 605-0009, Japan
  • Kyoto Granbell Hotel27 Yamatocho Yamato Ojidori 4-jo Sagaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 605-0802, Japan
  • HirashinTakoyakushidori, Takakura Nishiiru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8141, Japan
  • Sumiya RyokanFuyachodori Sanjo Sagaru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8075, Japan
  • Yoshiya489 Kiyamachi Nijo Shimo Higashiikesu, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0922, Japan
  • Hotel The M's Kyoto6 Higashikujo Higashisannocho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 601-8004, Japan
  • Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 600-8146, Japan
  • ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto by IHGNijojo-mae, Horikawa-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0055, Japan
  • KYOTO GION HOTEL354-6 Kiyomotocho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 605-0084, Japan
  • KazukiRokkakudori Higashinotoin Higashiiru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8133, Japan
  • Carta Hotel Kyoto Gion Bettei646 Ogiyacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0824, Japan
  • The Ritz-Carlton, KyotoKamogawa Nijo-Ohashi Hotori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0902, Japan
  • Watanabe Ryokan534 Shimokawaracho Shimokawaradori Yasakatoriimae Sagaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 605-0825, Japan
  • Nissho Besso13 Nakanocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8083, Japan
  • Gozan Hotel & Service Apartment Higashiyama Sanjo35-7 Sanchome, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 605-0005, Japan
  • Miru Kyoto Nishiki424 Izutsuyacho Yanaginobambadori Rokkaku Sagaru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8113, Japan
  • The Hiramatsu Kyoto361 Ennogyoja-cho, Muromachi-dori Sanjo Agaru, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8174, Japan
  • TOKYU STAY Kyoto Sakaiza557 Nakanocho, Shinkyogokudori Shijo Agaru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8042, Japan
  • Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji620 Teianmaenocho, Teramachidori Shijo Sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 600-8031, Japan
  • Shizutetsu Hotel Prezio Kyoto-Karasumaoike339 Nushiyacho Kurumayachodori, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0843, Japan
  • Hotel Monterey Kyoto604 Manjuyacho, Karasumadori Sanjo Sagaru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8161, Japan
  • Takeya Nishijin421 Moto 4-Chome, Kamigyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 602-8464, Japan
  • Tomoya Residence Hotel Kyoto Nijo Takakura58 Matsuyacho Nijodori Takakura Nishiiru, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0831, Japan
  • Kyoto Kamanza Hotel702 Kamimatsuyacho Kamanzadori Nijo Sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0035, Japan
  • Kinmata407 Dainichicho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8044, Japan
  • Hotel Okura KyotoKawaramachi Oike, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0924, Japan
  • Mifuku3joSagaru, Ponto-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0000, Japan
  • Apartment Hotel Suzuno596 Banocho, Nakagyo-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8172, Japan
  • Masuya Ryokan145 Okiku-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 606-8376, Japan
  • Park Hotel Kyoto Oike180 Nishiyokocho, Oikedori Muromachi Nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0023, Japan
  • Fauchon Hotel Kyoto406 Nambacho Kawaharamachidori MatsubaraSagaru Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 600-8027, Japan
  • Connect Hotel Kyoto628 Nishikihorikawacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-8235, Japan
  • Mercure Kyoto Station288 Aburanokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 600-8231, Japan
  • Shiraume78-6 Sueyoshicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 605-0085, Japan
  • Hotel Sugicho172 Moriyamacho, Oike-agaru, Tominokoji, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 604-0953, Japan
  • You can arrange your pickup point with the operator after booking.

Pickup instructions

The guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel in Kyoto city.

What's included

Included

  • All fees and taxes
  • Hotel Pick-Up & Drop-off (from Kyoto urban area and Kurama area)
  • Kuramadera Temple
  • English Speaking Guide
  • Photos of Tour Participants

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Taxi / Private Car or Bus (Available for an extra fee)

Good to know

Accessibility & suitability

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Traveller requirements

  • Minimum 1 traveller per booking
  • Maximum 8 travellers per booking
  • At least one adult must be included in the booking
  • Age bands: Infant (0–5), Child (6–12), Adult (13–100)

Languages

Guide
English

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 1+ days before100% refund
  • 0–1 days before0% refund
  • This experience requires good weather. If it's cancelled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Important booking information

Booking cut-off
Bookings close 2 days before the activity starts.
Confirmation
Confirmed immediately after booking.
Tickets
One per booking
Local time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Product code
22178P67

What you'll be asked when booking

  • Age of each traveller
  • First name of each traveller
  • Last name of each traveller
  • Your preferred pickup point
  • Any special requirements

Traveller reviews

5.0/ 582 reviews
  • 582

Ratings aggregated from Viator (18) and Tripadvisor (64).

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From JPY 32,000 per person · Free cancellation available

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Activity information provided by Viator, an authorized travel partner. Gateera does not operate this activity.

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