--- title: "Kyoto Hiking Tour: The Nature and Legends of Kurama and Kibune" lang: en type: tour city: Kyoto country: Japan price: 185 currency: EUR price_unit: per_person availability: bookable rating: 5 reviews: 85 duration_minutes: 480 languages: [en] free_cancellation: "true" rank_in_category: 3 of 21 (Day Trips from Kyoto) schedule_checked: 2026-11-08 data_updated: 2026-11-08 canonical: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/tours/kyoto-hiking-tour-the-nature-and-legends-of-kurama-and-kibune/ --- # Kyoto Hiking Tour: The Nature and Legends of Kurama and Kibune **Guidekin's take:** Hike the forest paths of Mount Kurama to Kibune on a private tour for your party. A guide and Kuramadera Temple entry are included; moderate fitness is required, and taxis or private vehicles cost extra. 5 from 85 reviews at €185 per person for 8h. In our comparison: #3 of 21 in Day Trips from Kyoto, by rating weighted by review volume (table below). ## Overview 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 ## Before you book - Hotel pickup: no car needed - Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk - Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers - Starts 08:30, 09:00: 2 departures a day - Food not included: bring or buy your own **Pickup:** Hotel pickup included ## Key facts - Price: from €185 per person - Duration: 8h - Rating: 5.0/5 from 85 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor) - Free cancellation (see policy below) - Operator: Trip Designer Inc. - Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price - Group: Private tour, your party only - Guide languages: English - Tickets: Admission included - Start times: 08:30, 09:00 - Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket - Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08 ## Reviews 5.0 from 85 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor. 100% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 85 of 85. - 5 stars: 85 (100%) - 4 stars: 0 (0%) - 3 stars: 0 (0%) - 2 stars: 0 (0%) - 1 star: 0 (0%) ## 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 ## Not included - Lunch - Taxi / Private Car or Bus (Available for an extra fee) ## Itinerary 1. **Yuki Shrine** (20m; admission included) - 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. 2. **The mountain is known as the birthplace of the holistic healing art called Reiki** (1h) - 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... 3. **Kurama-dera** (45m; admission included) - After exploring Yuki Shrine, you will meander though the forest on a pleasant 25 minute walk to the most famous shrine of the area – Kuramadera. Founded in the 8th century, Kuramadera is dedicated to the worship of mountains and nature, and has an incredible view over the... 4. **Okunoin Maoden** (10m; admission included) - Nestled deep in the mountains is the Okunoin Maoden Temple. It is said to be where demons reign and has a very mysterious feeling about it. 5. **Kifune Shrine** (30m; admission included) - is considered a place for sailors to go to pray for luck on their voyages and is dedicated to the God of water and rain. There are places where you can drink the pure mountain water fresh from the source, and many little streams dotted around the shrine. If you come in... 6. **Kifune Shrine** (25m; admission included) - According to legend, a goddess traveled in a boat from Osaka all the way up the river into these mountains. This inner shrine of Kifune houses the boat it is said that she rode in. ## Schedule - Runs: daily - Departures: 08:30, 09:00 - Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08 - These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout. ## Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. ## Good to know - 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 ## Cost for your party | People | Total | Per person | |---|---|---| | 2 | €370 | €185 | | 4 | €508 | €127 | | 6 | €624 | €104 | Cheapest option for that party size from the operator's current price tiers; the calendar shows the exact figure for your date. Shared tours in Day Trips from Kyoto start at €90 per person. ## Compared with other Day Trips from Kyoto | Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group | |---|---|---|---|---| | **This tour · #3 of 21** | €185 | 8h | 5.0 (85) | private | | [World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience](/japan/kyoto/tours/world-heritage-kyoto-nara-uji-authentic-matcha-experience/?format=md) | €113 | 8h 30m | 4.93 (2933) | shared | | [Osaka and Nara Day Tour with Private Transportation](/japan/kyoto/tours/osaka-and-nara-day-tour-with-private-transportation/?format=md) | €229 | 6h | 4.98 (116) | private | | [Kyoto Private Car Tour – Full Day with Local Guide & Nara Option](/japan/kyoto/tours/kyoto-private-car-tour-full-day-with-local-guide-nara-option/?format=md) | €145 | 8h | 4.92 (370) | private | Ranked #3 of 21 in Day Trips from Kyoto by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €90 to €350, median €145; typical length 8h. 14 of 21 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market. Full list: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/day-trips-from-kyoto/?format=md ## More in Kyoto - All Kyoto tours: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/?format=md - This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/tours/kyoto-hiking-tour-the-nature-and-legends-of-kurama-and-kibune/ Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/japan/kyoto/?format=md