Kurama (Æn) is a rural town in the northern mountains of Kyoto City, less than one hour from the city center. Kurama's main attraction, Kuramadera, is a Buddhist temple located along the steep wooded mountainside above the town.
It takes 30-45 minutes to climb to the temple's main buildings from the town below. A cablecar (200 yen one way) leads about halfway up the mountain. Along the ascent stands Yuki Jinja, a shrine famous for its Fire Festival (Kurama Hi Matsuri), held annually on October 22.
Kuramadera's main buildings stand on a terrace on the mountain slope, overlooking the wooded valley. Behind the temple's main building, the hiking trail continues through the forest past several other temple structures to Kibune, a small town in the neighboring valley. The hike from Kuramadera to Kibune takes about one hour and is steep at times.
Kurama is also known for one of the most easily accessible hot springs from Kyoto, Kurama Onsen. The complex closed during the pandemic, but finally reopened in November 2024. Located at the upper end of the town of Kurama, a 10 minute walk from the train station, the complex offers indoor and outdoor baths.
Getting there and around
Kurama is connected with central Kyoto by Eizan Railway. The one way trip along the Eizan Kurama Line from Demachi-Yanagi Station to Kurama Station takes 30 minutes and costs 470 yen. Trains depart every 15-20 minutes.
The fastest way to reach Demachi-Yanagi Station from Kyoto Station is by taking the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station (150 yen, 2 minutes), where you can transfer to the Keihan Main Line to Demachi-Yanagi Station (280 yen, 10 minutes).
How to get to and around Kyoto
Hours and Fees
Kuramadera Temple
Hours
9:00 to 16:15
Closed
No closing days (treasure house closed on Tue and from mid Dec to Feb)
Admission
500 yen
Kurama Onsen
Hours
11:00 to 20:00
Closed
No closing days
Admission
2500-2700 yen (indoor and outdoor baths)
1400-1600 yen (outdoor bath only)
The rate differs between weekdays and weekends/holidays
1400-1600 yen (outdoor bath only)
The rate differs between weekdays and weekends/holidays
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Kyoto
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Arashiyama HanaikadaA little, superior ryokan right near Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. Free transfer from JR station. Private bath and open-air baths available. 5min walk to the Bamboo Groves.View siteSponsored
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Top rated in Kyoto
Budget:
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Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASSLocated in Kyoto, this traditional Japanese guest house features free Wi-Fi and a free public computer. Shichijo Onmae bus stop is 3 minutesf walk away. A seating area and shared bathroom are provided with each room at Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS. Free toiletries are provided and blankets are available upon request. Select rooms have a garden view. A shared living area and bicycles are available for guestsf use during their stay at this Kyoto Guesthouse Compass. Access to the shared kitchen is available upon request. The guest house is 4.5 km from Imperial Palace and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. Nijo Castle and Toji Castle are within a 30 minutesf bus ride away.View on Booking.com -
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Ryokan ToriRyokan Tori is located in Kyoto, 2 km from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The property is around 2.3 km from Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. The property is 3.2 km from Kinkaku-ji Temple and 3.7 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. Each room has a shared bathroom, while selected rooms are fitted with a balcony and others also offer a garden view. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at tori can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Heian Shrine is 5 km from the accommodation. Itami Airport is 50 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Ryokan Mugen (Adult Only)Mugen is a property that was built 160 years ago, situated in Kyoto, 1 km from Nijo Castle. Every room at Mugen features an en suite shower room, toilet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. You will find a shared lounge on site and a bar at the annex building. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Imperial Palace is 1.1 km from Mugen, while Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Mitsuki KyotoSet in Kyoto, 600 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 1.4 km from the centre, Mitsuki Kyoto offers air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a garden. This 2-star ryokan offers full-day security and luggage storage space. The accommodation provides a concierge service and a housekeeping service for guests. The units in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in every unit, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. At the ryokan, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. The ryokan serves a vegetarian and vegan breakfast and breakfast in the room is also available. A bar can be found on-site. Nijo Castle is 1.1 km from Mitsuki Kyoto, while Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall is 1.8 km away. Itami Airport is 46 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Yado KiramachiYado Kiramachi offers accommodation set 600 metres from the centre of Kyoto and provides a garden and a terrace. The air-conditioned accommodation is 600 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The ryokan features family rooms. The units at the ryokan come with a seating area. The units have a coffee machine, a private bathroom and free WiFi, while selected rooms will provide you with a balcony and some have garden views. At the ryokan, all units include bed linen and towels. A bar can be found on-site. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 1.3 km from the ryokan, while Gion Shijo Station is 1.6 km away. Itami Airport is 45 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Kyo-Anthu InnLocated in Kyoto and within 500 metres of Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyo-Anthu Inn features a garden, soundproof rooms, and free WiFi. It is set 1.3 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto and provides full-day security. The guest house has family rooms. The guest house will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Some units also have a well-fitted kitchenette equipped with a microwave and a toaster. At the guest house, all units come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the guest house can enjoy a continental breakfast, and breakfast in the room is also available. Popular points of interest near Kyo-Anthu Inn include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Station and Gion Shijo Station. Itami Airport is 44 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel MusoWell located in the centre of Kyoto, Hotel Muso provides 3-star accommodation close to Gion Shijo Station and Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The property is around 1.8 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto, 2 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum and 2.7 km from Kyoto Station. Providing free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel features a hot tub. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Each room has a kettle, while selected rooms come with a kitchen with a microwave, a minibar and a stovetop. Popular points of interest near Hotel Muso include Sanjusangen-do Temple, Samurai Kembu Kyoto and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Itami Airport is 45 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Toshiharu RyokanBuilt in the Meiji era and registered as a cultural asset, Toshiharu Ryokan offers traditional accommodation just a 3-minute walk from Gojo Station and 1 subway stop from JR Kyoto Train Station. Massages are available. Guests at Ryokan Toshiharu sleep in Japanese futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor, and have air conditioning. Green tea and a Yukata robe are provided, and some rooms look out on a small garden. The ryokan is 1 km from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and about a 15-minute walk from Gojo-Ohashi Bridge and the Kamogawa River. Daimaru Department Store is 900 metres away. Although shared, baths are reserved and then used privately in turns. For breakfast, guests can choose to savour a Japanese served at an additional charge.View on Booking.com -
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MarufukuroMarufukuro features free bikes, fitness centre, a garden and shared lounge in Kyoto. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also has a restaurant and a terrace. The property is 1 km from Sanjusangen-do Temple, and within 2.1 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Selected rooms are equipped with a kitchen with a microwave. Guest rooms include a wardrobe. An American, Asian or vegetarian breakfast is available at the property. Spa and wellness facilities are at guests' disposal during their stay at Marufukuro, including a spa centre and on-request massage treatments. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include TKP Garden City Kyoto, Gion Shijo Station and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Itami Airport is 44 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Gallery Nozawa InnGallery Nozawa Inn offers accommodation in Kyoto, 25 minutes on foot from JR Kyoto Station. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Every room includes a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Each room is equipped with a private toilet, and bathrooms are shared. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is luggage storage space at the property. Guests can sample Japanese-style breakfast featuring seasonal ingredients. There is a public bathhouse located a 10-minute walk away. Nijo Castle is 2.4 km from Gallery Nozawa Inn, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.4 km from the property. Osaka Itami Airport is 36 km away.View on Booking.com
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Kyoto Restaurants
Recommended in Kyoto
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Sushi HayashiAwarded One Star in 2024 - A unique sushi restaurant that blends traditional Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi with Kyoto-style sushi, such as mackerel sushi and steamed sushi, in its courses. The head chef, who trained as a sushi artisan in Switzerland, carefully selects Swiss wines, making them a perfect pairing to enjoy with the meal.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Noguchi TsunaguAwarded One Star in 2024 - The sister restaurant of the highly exclusive Japanese cuisine establishment, Kyotenjin Noguchi. While maintaining the culinary essence of the main branch, this kappo-style restaurant incorporates ingredients from the chefâs hometown in the Goto Islands. Its signature dish, Nikusui, is a masterpiece made from carefully prepared, top-quality A5-grade sirloin.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Kamoryori TabuchiWithin a historic wooden house over 100 years old, savor exquisite dishes crafted with the finest premium brand duck, Kawachi Duck. Raised on feed free from pesticides and delivered fresh every morning, Kawachi Duck is so fresh it can even be enjoyed raw. Indulge in a superb multi-course duck cuisine experience that only a specialty restaurant can offer.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Enyuan KobayashiAwarded One Star in 2024 - Under the skillful craftsmanship of a master chef trained at renowned establishments, this restaurant offers tempura that highlights seasonal ingredients, including richly sweet tiger prawns and their signature sea urchin wrapped in seaweed. Mid-course, the menu also features exquisite simmered dishes and sashimi.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Sushi RakumiAwarded One Star in 2024 - You can savor a creative omakase course that combines refined Japanese cuisine with Edomae sushi, crafted by a highly skilled chef who trained at Japanese restaurants and sushi establishments that have earned three stars. Ingredients are primarily sourced from Kyoto Central Market, with seasonal, high-quality ingredients also procured from Tokyo's Toyosu Market and Yaizu Market in Shizuoka.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Kanamean NishitomiyaAwarded One Star in 2024 - Sophisticated kaiseki cuisine experienced at a ryokan. Combining tuna with caviar or pairing soba noodles with truffles, the dishes showcase a creative approach that explores unique combinations and flavors. The only establishment in Kyoto affiliated with Relais & Chateaux, where the owner and proprietress draw on their experiences gained abroad to collaborate with chefs in crafting the menu.View on JapanEatinerary -
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VenaAwarded One Star in 2024 - A restaurant founded by a chef and sommelier born and raised in Kyoto, built on the concept of carefully selected seasonal ingredients and aged Italian wines. In an elegant space adorned with Scandinavian vintage furniture, guests can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine crafted with an abundance of seasonal ingredients unique to each time of year.View on JapanEatinerary -
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Torisho SaiA newly spotlighted restaurant opened in 2024, part of the group of Yakitori Ichimatsu, one of Japan's most renowned yakitori establishments. Housed in a stylishly renovated traditional Japanese home, the restaurant serves yakitori made with Akitaâs "Hinai Jidori," one of Japanâs top three premium chicken breeds, aged for about three days to enhance its flavor.View on JapanEatinerary -
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NakatsukaAwarded One Star in 2024 - A one-of-a-kind restaurant where you can enjoy innovative cuisine crafted by the highly skilled Chef Mr. Nakatsuka, who honed his expertise at domestic and international three-star and two-star establishments. The restaurant is themed around "aroma" and features an open kitchen, designed to share the scents of the cooking process with its guests.View on JapanEatinerary -
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MiyawakiA restaurant with a unique concept of offering traditional Kyoto cuisine in Tokyo, blending authentic techniques with innovative approaches. It is also known for attracting numerous prominent figures from various fields, including renowned Japanese music producers and soccer players.View on JapanEatinerary
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Experiences around Kyoto
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Private Stay at World Heritage Site Ninna-ji With Special Tour and Bewitching Light-UpExperience Ninna-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with deep links to the imperial family, like no other through an overnight stay inside the grounds. During a special private tour led by one of its monks, enter some of the oldest surviving temple buildings in all of Japan, such as the Great Hall (a National Treasure), which is normally closed to the public. Then, the grounds are yours for the night - after the sun sets, explore the lit-up grounds and take advantage of the lovingly curated accommodation, a former temple samurai residence (dinner also available as an optional add-on). Finally, refresh yourself by joining the monksf morning service and Dharma sermon, as well as drawing rock patterns.View experienceSponsored -
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Kiyomizu Ware Pottery Experience at a Century-Old Kiln in KyotoBased in Kyoto, the reputable Shoukoku Kiln, which was established more than 100 years ago, creates exquisite ceramic tableware that high-end ryotei restaurants use for kappo fine-dining cuisine. At this prestigious kiln that preserves tradition while constantly seeking innovation, discover the secrets to long-lasting, high-quality ceramics as you hand-build or paint pottery under the guidance of a skilled artisan who has mastered the art of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki ceramic ware.View experienceSponsored -
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Learn the Art of Karesansui Dry-Garden Raking from a Kyoto MasterKyotofs Sagano-Arashiyama district is an iconic landmark, beloved by visitors from all over Japan and the world for its harmony of rich natural scenery and historic architecture. Here, the cultural property garden restoration and maintenance organization Sone Zoen – responsible for designing and managing the gardens of famous shrines and temples across Kyoto – runs the gHoganh facility, which offers visitors the chance to experience authentic Zen sand raking in a traditional Japanese house and garden. Find inner tranquility as you contemplate the gardenfs beauty, before experiencing the spirit of Zen and the historic tradition of karesansui dry gardening through sand-raking with a master.View experienceSponsored -
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Maiko Tea and Entertainment with Behind-the-Scenes Insights at Kyotofs Oldest Geisha DistrictGain valuable insights into Kyotofs historic geisha culture at Umeno, a traditional ochaya banquet house in Kamishichiken, the oldest of Kyotofs five geisha districts. Although ochaya generally turn away new customers, Umenofs proprietress-to-be invites you to watch a maikofs (apprentice geisha) elegant dance and learn about her culture. Then, chat with them over sweets and matcha tea personally prepared by the maiko. After trying a traditional party game and snapping some pictures, hear about Umenofs sustainable practices and enter the dressing room used by its maiko, an extremely rare chance to go behind the scenes.View experienceSponsored -
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Tea Plantation Tour and Organic Green Tea Tasting in the Birthplace of Japanese Green Tea, KyotoFounded in 1658 in the Kyoto town of Ujitawara – the birthplace of Japanese green tea – the Kaki-i plantation grows tea completely without the use of pesticides. In this experience, visitors can join the 21st generation head of the plantation to tour its fields and see historical sites associated with Soen Nagatani, who first developed the Japanese green tea enjoyed around the world today. If your seasonal timing is right, you can also observe the tea harvest or the processing of the leaf. Finally, enjoy a comparative tasting of 3 to 4 of Kaki-ifs organic teas in a 150-year-old traditional Japanese home, and learn how best to enjoy each.View experienceSponsored
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Top rated in Kyoto
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Kyoto Kimono Rental Momoka: Japanese-style Make-up/PhotographyBasic okomon kimono plan: [Included in the fee]: Only okomon kimono and half-width obi are included [Excluded from the fee]: Small bag, tabi socks, rental sandals, muscle wear, and corrections are not includedView on Klook -
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Ninja Experience Cafe in KyotoLearn more about this activity's [Enhanced Health & Hygiene Measures](https://www.klook.com/en-US/article/11049-covid-measures)View on Klook -
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Matcha Ceremony Experience in KyotoYou can enjoy watching the tea ceremony by the teacher and experience the tea ceremony. Comes with matcha and Japanese sweets!View on Klook -
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Kyoto Gion Memoirs of a Geisha Private Walking TourExperience the best of Gionfs nightlife scene with a local insider to guide youView on Klook -
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Kyoto City Highlights & Hidden Gems Private Custom Tour with a LocalGet to know the real Kyoto with your host (a city local) and avoid the tourist traps, whilst still seeing the highlights!View on Klook -
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Kyoto 4 Hour Low-Down Private Walking TourSee a tailor-made selection of sites, picked by your local guide, that show every side of KyotoView on Klook -
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Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Zen & SecretsSaga-Arashiyama Station: Meet at the Saga-Arashiyama Station, where you can take a few minutes to explore the surrounding area and get acquainted with your group.View on Klook -
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Maiko and a Samurai Makeover Experience for CoupleChange into a beautiful Maiko and a cool SamuraView on Klook -
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World Heritage Shirakawago and Takayama Private Tour from NagoyaLearn about the history of Japanese traditional buildings at your leisure.View on Klook
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