• Understand
• Get in
• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

Kurama is in Kyoto prefecture, Japan.

[edit] Understand

The small, quiet village of Kurama lies a short distance north from Kyoto. Tourists come to Kurama mostly because of the onsen (Japanese natural hot spring), which is the closest one from the popular tourist destination of Kyoto. The buddhist temple of Kurama-dera will also draw some attention from the visitors. Kurama will make a good daytrip destination from Kyoto - you will have time to visit both the onsen and the temple easily during one day.

[edit] Get in

Kurama is is connected to Kyoto with Eizan Railway. Trip from Kyoto's Demachi-Yanagi station costs ¥410 and takes a little more than half an hour. Some like to stop one station earlier at Kibune and walk to Kurama along a beautiful hiking trail, which passes the buddhist temple of Kurama. The train will pass some quite beautiful scenery before arriving at Kurama, so get a window seat and keep your eyes open in the train.

[edit] Get around

Kurama is rather small rural village, you can reach most of the interesting sights by foot.

[edit] See

• Kurama-dera is a Buddhist temple that overlooks the valley from the hills. There is an elevated railway from the village to the hills, but it in order to see all the temples you have to walk either up or down. If you have been doing temple-hopping in Kyoto, Kurama-dera will be a pleasant surprise - even during the peak season, it doesn't get crowded here.

[edit] Do

• Kurama onsen or hot spring is located just a short walk from the station. There's also a free shuttle bus going every now and then, but you're recommended to take the walk and see some Japanese countryside. There are both inside and outside baths, but if the weather permits do take the outside bath (rotenburo). Lying in the hot water, while admiring the green and hilly scenery is wonderfully relaxing. There are separate pools for men and women.

[edit] Buy

[edit] Eat

There are several noodle shops in the vicinity of the Kurama station.

[edit] Drink

[edit] Sleep

You can also find more accommodation from the nearby village of Kibune.

[edit] Get out

• Walk the hiking trail to the next valley and village of Kibune.