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Day Trip from Kyoto

Day Trip from Kyoto to Kurama & Kibune

Travel Time

35 min by Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi Station

Round Trip Cost

¥760 (Eizan Railway from Demachiyanagi)

Kurama and Kibune are Kyoto's mountain escape — two ancient villages just 35 minutes from central Kyoto by the scenic Eizan Railway. Kurama is home to a mystical mountain temple reached by cable car or forest trail, and a healing hot spring bath open to day visitors. Kibune offers lantern-lit riverside restaurants (kawadoko dining in summer). A short mountain hike links the two.

Highlights

Model Day Trip Itinerary

09:00

Depart Demachiyanagi Station on Eizan Railway's Kurama Line (35 min to Kurama Station)

09:35

Arrive Kurama — take the cable car up (¥200) or hike the stone-step path through cedar forest (20 min)

09:50

Kurama-dera Temple (¥500) — explore the Main Hall (Hondo) with mountain views, the Okuno-in inner sanctuary, and the cedar forest paths connecting the shrines

11:30

Kurama Onsen day bath (¥1,500 outdoor bath, ¥2,500 full indoor + outdoor) — natural hot spring in a forest setting; towel rental available

13:00

Lunch at Kurama restaurants (yudofu set meals, mountain vegetable dishes ¥1,500–¥2,500)

14:00

Hike the mountain trail from Kurama to Kibune (2.5 km, 250m elevation change, 60–80 min) — signed trail through ancient cedar and cypress forest

15:30

Arrive Kibune — Kifune Shrine (water deity worshipped for 1,600 years, free)

16:00

Walk the stone-step approach to Kibune Shrine lined with red lanterns (beautiful in autumn foliage and winter snow)

17:00

Board return bus from Kibune to Kibuneguchi Station, then Eizan Railway to Demachiyanagi (30 min)

Stay Overnight?

Kurama and Kibune work perfectly as a half-day or full-day excursion from central Kyoto. The villages are small and the main attractions — the temple, the hike, and the shrine — are completable in 6–7 hours.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the Kurama to Kibune hiking trail?+
The trail is 2.5 km with 250m of elevation gain — moderate difficulty. Good walking shoes are recommended but hiking boots are not essential on dry days. The trail is well-signed with stone steps throughout. Allow 60–80 minutes. Carry water as there are no vendors on the trail.
What is kawadoko dining in Kibune?+
From July to September, Kibune's riverside restaurants set wooden platforms (kawadoko) directly over the cool mountain stream. Diners sit above the flowing water, 2–3 degrees cooler than downtown Kyoto. Multi-course kaiseki meals start around ¥6,000–¥15,000 per person. Reservations essential in July–August.
What is the best season for Kurama and Kibune?+
Autumn (October–November) is magical for crimson maple leaves on the mountain paths. Spring (April) brings cherry blossoms. Winter (January–February) with snow on the forest trails and stone lanterns is particularly atmospheric. Avoid the summer midday heat by going early or using the Kurama Onsen for its cooling mountain air.
Is the Kurama Onsen open to non-staying visitors?+
Yes, Kurama Onsen (Kurama Onsen Honkan) welcomes day visitors. The outdoor forest bath (roten-buro) is ¥1,500, and the full indoor + outdoor combination is ¥2,500. Towel rental ¥200. Open 10:30am–9:00pm (last entry 8pm). No tattooed visitors allowed.
Can I combine Kurama, Kibune, and Fushimi Inari in one day?+
Ambitious but possible. Do Fushimi Inari early morning (7–10am), then take Keihan Line to Demachiyanagi for Kurama–Kibune (10:30am–5pm). Fushimi Inari at 7am before tourist crowds is actually the best time, so this itinerary works well for motivated early risers.

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