Kurama-dera
11 people recommendvia r/JapanTravelTips, r/JapanTravel, r/KyotoTravel11 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Many visitors recommend Kurama-dera, a mountain temple reached by train or by a forest hike from Kibune, and a couple call it a favorite. A couple of visitors praise the forest scenery and views, and they also find it much less crowded than the city's main sights. One visitor describes the hike from Kibune as steep, and another says their visit was only a brief stop.
Address
Kuramadera Temple, 1074 Kuramahonmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1111, Japan
At a glance
- Best for
- Nature, Views, Walks
- Known for
- Hike from Kibune up to the temple, Forest views and small shrines, Scenic train ride up to Kurama
- Crowds
- Quiet
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Kurama-dera, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/kridershot in r/JapanTravelTips · Jan 2026
Highly recommends visiting Kurama-dera temple.
- Recommendsu/holdtheolives in r/JapanTravelTips · Jan 2026
Lists Kurama-dera among their favorite experiences from a trip to Japan.
- Recommendsu/babybelkillah in r/JapanTravel · Nov 2025access
Suggests hiking here from Kibune as part of a route, which they describe as steep.
- Recommendsu/Important_Pass_1369 in r/JapanTravelTips · Apr 2024crowds
Suggests taking the rail up to Kurama temple, noting few foreign visitors go there.
- Recommendsu/Funny-Cricket6450 in r/KyotoTravel · Oct 2024
Praises the hike up to this temple at the top of the route.
- Recommendsu/Mitaru07 in r/KyotoTravel · Oct 2024
Lists Kurama temple among suggested places for the hidden-gems request.
- Recommendsu/PM_ME_MY_FRIEND in r/JapanTravelTips · Jul 2025crowds
Calls it a favourite; far fewer visitors than the city's main sights, with nature and sweeping views.
- Recommendsu/31_bigfoot in r/KyotoTravel · Oct 2026seasonality
Recommends visiting in autumn.
Show all 11 cited comments
- Recommendsu/Firerubynat in r/japan · Sep 2026access
Loved Kurama; the climb up to the temple felt manageable for a beginner hiker.
- Recommendsu/rcecap in r/JapanTravel · Jul 2025
Mentioned as the start of a ridge walk that continues toward Kibune.
- Recommendsu/AzanWealey in r/JapanTravelTips · Jun 2025crowds
Lists Kurama Dera as a place not often mentioned, implying it's less crowded.
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Freshness
Details last checked 3 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.