The mountains north of Kyoto are known for being mysterious and spiritual. This is especially true of Kurama and its lovely temple. Here, you'll find colorful red goblins with a two-meter long nose, huge ancient cedar trees that climb up up up into the air, wonderful views of the surrounding valleys, and small temples and shrines in the middle of nowhere as you walk up and over the pass to the resort town of Kibune. Oh, I forgot to mention the beautiful statues, the interesting history, and the birth of Reiki Healing. Kurama has it all!
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The Beauty of Kurama - 1
Entrance to deep forests of mysterious Kyoto mountain
Community writer
Red-nosed Tengu goblin
This interesting guy will greet you as you get off the train at Kurama
Before hiking up to Kurama Temple, and over the mountain to Kifune, there are smaller temples and shrines along the way. This is the first one you will come to, and it is well guarded...
By this pair of imposing statues
And through the gate, a glimpse of magnificent cedar
Up up up! The beauty of these magnificent trees have to be seen to be believed
In Japan, these magnificent old trees are treated as spiritual objects
A cedar in B&W...also beautiful
Cleansing font and statue
It was very early in the morning...who are these for, I wondered?!
A tiny shrine before we start climbing
Paper lantern
Fierce guardian statue
Join the discussion
Julian Bohler
11 years ago
Hey Larry,
Thank you for those wonderful pictures! I visited Kurama countless times, it is indeed a very special place, like no other in Kyoto! Did you get a chance to visit the hidden underground room in the main hall? It has 3 splendid statues, one with wings too, very mystical...
Thank you for those wonderful pictures! I visited Kurama countless times, it is indeed a very special place, like no other in Kyoto! Did you get a chance to visit the hidden underground room in the main hall? It has 3 splendid statues, one with wings too, very mystical...
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Thank you for those wonderful pictures! I visited Kurama countless times, it is indeed a very special place, like no other in Kyoto! Did you get a chance to visit the hidden underground room in the main hall? It has 3 splendid statues, one with wings too, very mystical...