Kurama (ˆÆ”n) is a rural town in the northern mountains of Kyoto City, less than one hour from the city center. Kurama's main attraction, Kurama-dera, is a Buddhist temple located along the steep wooded mountainside above the town.
It takes about 30-45 minutes to climb up 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 to Kurama-dera stands Yuki Jinja, a shrine famous for its Fire Festival (Kurama Hi Matsuri), held annually on October 22.
Kurama-dera'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 Kurama-dera 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; however, the complex closed during the pandemic, and it is not clear when and if it will reopen. Located at the upper end of the town of Kurama, a 10 minute walk from the train station, it offered indoor and outdoor baths. Overnight guests could use the baths for free, while daytrippers paid 2500 yen to use alle baths or 1000 yen for just the outdoor bath.
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
Kurama-dera
Hours
9:00 to 16:15
Closed
No closing days (treasure house closed on Mon and from mid Dec to Feb)
Admission
300 yen
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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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 KyotoIn a prime location in the centre of Kyoto, Mitsuki Kyoto offers Asian breakfast and free WiFithroughout the property. The property is located 1.1 km from Nijo Castle, 1.8 km from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall and 2.1 km from Kyoto Imperial Palace. The property is non-smoking and is set 600 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum. The ryokan provides certain units with garden views, and every room has a private bathroom. The area is popular for cycling, and bike hire is available at this 2-star ryokan. Heian Shrine is 2.3 km from Mitsuki Kyoto, while Samurai Kembu Kyoto is 2.4 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 46 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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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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Kyonoyado GekkoanSet in the Nakagyo Ward district in Kyoto, Kyonoyado Gekkoan offers an equipped accommodation with an balcony and free WiFi. The property is 1.1 km from Nijo Castle. This holiday home comes with a kitchenette with a microwave and a toaster, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and a bathroom with a bath. A vegetarian or continental breakfast is available daily at the property. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.1 km from the holiday home. Osaka Itami Airport is 37 km from the property.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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Guesthouse EngawaGuesthouse Engawa offers accommodation in Kyoto. Guests can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of Kyoto in their rooms. Each comes with a flat-screen TV, and an electric kettle will be provided upon request. Bathroom facilities are shared with other guests. Free toiletries and hairdryers are also available. There is luggage storage space at the property. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is 600 metres from Guesthouse Engawa, while Heian Shrine is 2.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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OhanaboA 7-minute walk from Kyoto Station, the completely non-smoking Ohanabo provides traditional Japanese-style accommodation with gKaisekih multi-course in-room dinners, massages and a hot public bath. Some rooms have an en suite bathroom, and the lobby has free Wi-Fi. This hotel was selected as one of Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in Japan by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2013. The air-conditioned rooms at Ohanabo Inn match a modern LCD TV, electric kettle and fridge with the timeless experience of Japanese futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. Slippers, a toothbrush with toothpaste and a Yukata robe are provided. Located right across the street from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, the inn is a 4-minute walk from Shosei-en Garden. Kyoto Tower is 450 metres away, and Gojo Subway Station is a 7-minute walk. A set menu of Japanese dishes is served for breakfast at the dining room from 07:00-08:30. Kyoto cuisine is served for dinner from 17:30-18:30, and must be reserved at time of booking.View on Booking.com -
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Yado KiramachiSituated conveniently in Kyoto, Yado Kiramachi offers an Asian breakfast and free WiFithroughout the property. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The property is non-smoking and is set 600 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. All rooms are fitted with a private bathroom, while selected rooms will provide you with a balcony and others also have a garden view. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 1.3 km from the ryokan, while Gion Shijo Station is 1.6 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 45 km from Yado Kiramachi.View on Booking.com -
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HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & SpaLocated in Kyoto, 700 metres from Kyoto International Manga Museum, HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa provides accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking, a garden and a terrace. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is less than 1 km from the city centre and a 10-minute walk from Nijo Castle. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa features certain units with city views, and rooms are equipped with a kettle. At the accommodation every room is fitted with bed linen and towels. A continental, American or Asian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall is 1.8 km from HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa, while Samurai Kembu Kyoto is 2.6 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 46 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com
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