Mount Kurama, Kyoto

Mount Kurama, Kyoto

Mount Kurama, Kyoto: Our most recommended tours and activities

Kyoto: Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

Kyoto: Hike and Hot Springs in Kurama

Explore the Mystic North of Kyoto, the serene beauty of Kibune and Kurama, nestled along a legendary river and surrounded by towering cedars. Begin your hike at a sacred shrine, then follow a scenic trail that winds up to the peak of Kurama Mountain, a place steeped in nature and centuries-old legends. Along the way, your guide will share fascinating tales as you enjoy breathtaking views and crisp, refreshing air. After visiting the mountaintop temple and offering prayers, descend to the charming village of Kurama, where you can savor lunch, return to the city by train, or relax in the Kurama Hot Spring—renowned for its stunning outdoor bath views. This moderate hike is a perfect escape from the city, leaving you rejuvenated and refreshed, all in just half a day! After a short visit, you’ll head for the hiking course. Climbing the steps to the top requires a moderate level of fitness, but the peak can be reached within 30-40 minutes. You’re sure to make plenty of stops along the way to enjoy the stunning scenery as well as some features unique to this trail. When you reach the top of the mountain, you’ll visit the Kurama Temple, a very special setting for what is considered a "power spot" by the locals. From the top you’ll have amazing views of the valley below. Relax after your climb and enjoy the fresh mountain air. As you head back down the steps from the temple, we'll make our way to the little town of Kurama where you can enjoy a late lunch, stroll the village or maybe even try a dip in the hot springs. We can even offer a special discounted ticket for the bath. A great way to enjoy a day in the mountains, enjoy the abundant nature of rural Kyoto and feel completely refreshed!

Private Kyoto City Tour with Expert English Guide & Pickup

Private Kyoto City Tour with Expert English Guide & Pickup

Embark on a journey of discovery the classical beauty of Kyoto. This tour offers a unique, customizable itinerary that lets you explore Kyoto at your own pace. With a flexible schedule, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this ancient city. We’ll start the day by picking you up from your hotel. Then, it’s off to explore! You might want to check out the shiny Kinkaku-ji, the peaceful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, or the lively Gion district. Your guide will be there every step of the way, sharing cool facts and stories. The best part? You get to customize your day. Spend more time at the places you love and discover some hidden gems along the way. Whether you’re into history, nature, or food, we’ve got you covered. Lunch will be at a local restaurant where you can sample some of Kyoto’s famous cuisine (at your own expense). After lunch, continue your exploration of Kyoto, perhaps visiting the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its famous torii gate pathway, or the Philosopher’s Path, a beautiful walk along a canal lined with hundreds of cherry trees. As the day draws to a close, your guide will escort you back to your hotel, ending a day full of discovery and adventure.

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What people are saying about Mount Kurama, Kyoto

Overall rating

5
(4 reviews)

Philippe was very knowledgeable about the history and stories behind the shrines, temples and towns we visited. Being a localized Kyoto citizen, he was able to supply us a plethora of local insights behind Japanese culture and traditions. With his extensive background of hiking the forests and mountains of Kyoto, the route was impeccably planned such that it was a seamless experience despite the daunting climb up to the mountain temple. An amalgamation of nature and history, overall it was a rejuvenating experience providing a much welcome contrast from the conventional and routinely frequented tourist spots in Kyoto City Center.

Philippe was my tour guide and has a wonderful understanding of the history and culture associated with Mount Kurama. Not only was he pleasant to have conversation with, the hike is indeed very mystical and leaves you with a sense of awe and appreciation. After the hike, there is an option to use the onsen overlooking the mountains which makes for a very relaxing trip to the mountain.

Our guide Philippe took us to hidden and sacred places in a wonderful atmosphere, explaining us interesting facts about Japan! The hiking is quite hard but we made few stops to recover and admire the surroundings. Beautiful and not turistic experience, I would recommend!

We had a tremendous day with Phillippe, who's deep knowledge of the area and Japanese culture made this hike and temple visit one of the highlights of our holiday. Highly recommended!

Was so far the best guided tour we had. Got a lot of Information about the area shrines and temples. It was a very flexible programm and our guide was able to satisfy our wishes.