Private Tour
Kyoto Hiking Tour: The Nature and Legends of Kurama and Kibune
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
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
Additional Info
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Yuki Shrine
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.
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.
What‘s 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
Lunch
Taxi / Private Car or Bus (Available for an extra fee)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Kyoto Hiking Tour: The Nature and Legends of Kurama and Kibune
Pickup included
Reviews
74 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Kyoto Kurama to Kibune
davidsB6900KE,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just outside Kyoto lies Kurama, a charming little town that feels worlds away from the city’s bustle. It’s the starting point for one of the most delightful walks Dachshundtours.com.au arranged in Japan — an easy 5‑kilometer trail that winds through forested hills, shaded paths, and temple grounds, offering a perfect blend of nature and culture. The adventure begins with the ride itself: the “dinky” Eizan train that rattles its way from Kyoto to Kurama. It’s a short journey, but the scenery — villages, valleys, and glimpses of cedar forests — sets the tone for what’s to come. Arriving in Kurama, you’ll find a sleepy town with hot spring inns and a relaxed vibe, the ideal launchpad for your walk. The trail leads up past Kurama-dera Temple, perched on the hillside, before continuing through tranquil forests. Towering cedar trees line the path, their shade keeping the walk cool even in summer. The air feels fresh, filled with birdsong and the earthy scent of moss. It’s not a strenuous hike, more of a gentle wander, and along the way you’ll encounter shrines, stone steps, and occasional viewpoints that remind you just how close you are to Kyoto yet how far you feel from its urban pace. The walk finishes in Kibune, another picturesque village known for riverside dining and traditional inns. From here, you can hop back on the little train, completing the circle of your adventure. Easy, beautiful, and accessible, the Kurama to Kibune walk is proof that sometimes the best experiences are found just beyond the city limits.
Mount Kuruma with Akari
spudbiker,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Akari was fabulous, adding to an overall great experience. The shrines, temples, and views were amazing. Highly recommend this trip. Akari was wonderful and added so much to our experience. Very knowledgeable, super friendly, engaged the whole time. We felt like we became friends.
Great, relatively easy hike outside Kyoto
kimkR2313TN,,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highlight of our trip to Kyoto! We highly recommend it. Akari was a fantastic guide—warm, friendly, very knowledgeable. We felt in excellent hands. The hike was truly beautiful and got us to a place we never would have ventured on our own. And the lunch we had was my favorite so far. Locally made tofu cooked at the table with several tasty accompaniments beautifully appointed.
100/10 sweetest tour guide ever!!
gracies531,,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00i have never written a review before and probably never will again, however she was the purest soul i’ve ever met. i could not begin to express how much i enjoyed spending time with her, she was the kindest lady i’ve every met and had a genuine heart, always trying to do her best and go the extra mile for you - helping me with my japanese and being so patient. Not only would i recommend her tour which was amazing, giving so much insight to the country’s culture and history but you get to spend time with such a lovely person, i couldn’t have had a better time.
A great experience away from the hustle and bustle
548marialuisaj,,Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Etsuko was an excellent guide, she took us to this wonderful place and explained us all about the mysticism, the temple and the places to meditate. Also we had a really nice experience during the lunch. We really recommended to take this tour. Etsuko always tried to explained any doubt or solve any request.
Great experience. Highly recommend.
Melanie L,,Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Mariko was friendly, easy to talk to, and knowledgeable. The tour was awesome with beautiful sights and picturesque moments. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves nature, culture, and walking.
Beautiful hike and scenic lunch
Kristian F,,Jul 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful hike through the mountains of northern Kyoto followed by a scenic lunch on the river. My wife and I enjoyed our time with Ai who was a wonderful guide. I would highly recommend this tour for couples or families with slightly older children.
Forget Mt. Fuji, Try Mount Kurama
147kandicem,,Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are wavering on whether or not to book the Mount Kurama Hiking Tour, I would say just click yes. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the hike and came away with postcard pictures. I will try to provide some details and insights that will give you an idea if this hike works for you. We are a family of three. Parents in their fifties and 18 year old daughter. We did this hike with Mariko who is very knowledgeable about the area. If this is your first time using buses and trains, this tour will give you a taste of how to use the public transit system. Mariko met us at our hotel. From there, she navigated us to a train station where we started our journey. Then she was with us the entire time so we always felt comfortable in the rural area without knowing the Japanese language. She helped us translate and pointed out landmarks which gave us fun facts and historical information that made the landmarks more interesting. We did this hike at the end of June which was monsoon season and it was hot and humid. It would be wise to pack a portable fan and absorbent handkerchief with you if you do this in the summer. With the river and tree shade, it felt a bit cooler than in the city. I was concerned about the heat and humidity prior to doing the hike but it’s do-able. This hike does involve a lot of walking so make sure you have comfortable shoes and preferably shoes that you can easily take on and off because you will be going into some temples that require shoes off. The hike is not too strenuous because it’s mostly a series of steps. There are a lot of steps but Mariko allowed us to take our time especially for pictures. We had an opportunity to eat a local style lunch and check out a cute gift store (with air conditioning!) in a nearby city of Kifune. We didn’t need to go all the way to Nara because we met some sweet deer that let us watch them munch on lunch on this trip. If you are someone that wants to learn a little more about what it’s like outside a big city and you want some adventure, this tour will give you that. If you’re a fan of Reiki, on this hike you will see the birthplace of Reiki. If you’re into taking really gorgeous pictures, this hike is for you.
Wonderful hike and day trip to the mountains
Sam W,,May 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ryoma was amazing from start to finish. He was very personable and well informed about the history of Mount Kurama. We thoroughly enjoyed our hike up the mountain and the rest of our day with him, including a delicious soba lunch- highly recommend!
Great hiking tour
Q9392YImichellel,,Apr 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed our time hiking with Yuki. It was one of our favorite thing to do during our time in Japan. Yuki was very informative, patient with us and help us to great photos. This is an unforgettable tour.
Related Experiences
Operated by Trip Designer Inc.