Explore the hidden depths of Kyoto with our exclusive tour, featuring the lesser-known yet captivating Kurama Temple and Kifune Shrine.
These renowned power spots in Kyoto are hidden gems, familiar mostly to those with insider knowledge.
Although visiting these sites involves a brief trek through mountain paths, it promises an exceptionally unique and otherworldly experience!
Target: People who have already visited Kyoto's popular tourist spots and those who wish to delve deeper into
The lobby of your hotel
Our guide will come to pick you up at your hotel.
First, let's start our hike towards our initial destination, Kurama Temple!
We'll ascend a mysterious stone staircase flanked by traditional Japanese red lanterns.
If you're concerned about your physical stamina, you can use the cable car, but I recommend walking to fully experience the atmosphere of the path leading to the temple.
We've arrived at our first destination, the main hall of Kurama Temple!
Let's take a short break.
Next, we'll head towards our second destination: Okunoin!
From here, we enter a mountain trail. The trees with roots exposed on the surface are also known as a power spot where 'Reiki' occurs.
We've reached our second destination, Okunoin!
Let's visit this quietly nestled facility in the depths of the mountains and take a short break.
Now, let's head towards our final destination, Kifune Shrine!
The trail becomes mostly downhill from here, so it's a bit easier.
When you start hearing the sound of the babbling stream, you know we're close to our goal!
We've arrived in front of Kifune Shrine, great job!
Before visiting the shrine, let's have lunch by the streamside, also a perfect chance for a break!
At this restaurant, you can choose from various dishes including beef, river fish, and tempura (a Japanese style of fried main dish).
Cost: 4,000 ~ 12,000 JPY
Kifune Shrine has been revered by nobles and literati since the Heian period, mainly enshrining the god of water, Takakura-no-Kami, and is worshipped as the guardian deity of agriculture, fishing, and navigation.
The shrine building is a profound structure painted in red, and within the precincts, there are sacred trees and sacred water for matchmaking. Known as a place of healing visited by many people, it is located near a stream.
Let's bid farewell to the nature-rich mountains and return to the urban area of Kyoto.
At Demachiyanagi Station, we will arrange transportation to the hotel and then disband.
On this tour, we'll venture into the mountains north of Kyoto city, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of urban life to explore the sacred Kurama Temple and Kifune Shrine. Get ready for a hiking adventure to these renowned power spots!
First, we'll travel by public transport to the gate of Kurama Temple. From there, our journey to the temple's main hall begins, ascending stairs and slopes. It might be a bit challenging, but climbing these stairs is part of the pilgrimage. As we make our way up, enjoy the beautifully maintained approach and the ambiance of entering deeper into the mountains.
After visiting the main hall of Kurama Temple, we'll delve into the forest trails leading to Okunoin, a facility nestled within the woods. This area is known for its exposed tree roots and is celebrated as a power spot, radiating spiritual energy. In the quiet presence of Okunoin, deep in the forest, take a moment to sense the spiritual atmosphere.
Having bid farewell to Okunoin, we'll make our way through the forest towards the Kifune Shrine area. After replenishing our energy with a traditional Japanese meal on a terrace built directly above a stream, we'll visit Kifune Shrine, set beside the flowing waters. Here, enjoy the balanced beauty that changes with the seasons and the sacred ambiance of the shrine.
This will be the perfect conclusion to our tour!
Guide fee, Hotel pick up within Kyoto
Transportation fare,(you and guide), lunch・dinner or dessert (you and guide), entrance fee(you and guide)
The hourly rate for the guide fee stands at 7,000JPY for a group of 3people.It’s essential to note that this fee solely covers the guide’s services. All other expenses, including meals, transportation, and entrance fees, are not included and will be billed separately.
For groups exceeding four customers, an additional fee will be incurred as the guide needs to attend to a larger number of people. Please be advised.
We will compose a tour for you.
If you have any concerns or particulars about your trip, please contact us!
At least 3days of notice required before a booking.
The hourly guide fee varies depending on the number of guests:
- One guide can handle up to 7 guests. For every additional 7 guests, an extra guide is added.
(E.g., 9 guests require 2 guides, 15 guests require 3 guides)
- The basic hourly rate per guide is ¥7,000/h.
(E.g., 2 guides would cost ¥14,000/h, and 3 guides would cost ¥21,000/h)
- If one guide handles more than 3 guests, an additional fee of ¥1,500/h per guest will be charged.
(E.g., for 4 guests, the rate is ¥8,500/h, for 7 guests it's ¥13,000/h. For 10 guests (i.e., 2 guides), the calculation is ¥7,000/h x 2 + ¥1,500/h x 4 = ¥20,000.)
- The fees indicated on the tour page are based on the basic hourly rate.
Therefore, if the number of guests is more than 3, the price will be adjusted according to the formula mentioned above.
Thank you for your understanding.
Koin helped create a great day for my son and I with the guide Momo. She was a huge help navigating us around to different temples and finding us some delicious ramen for lunch. Thank you Momo for a memorable day.
Dear Matt, Thank you for your kind feedback! I’m glad to hear you and your son had a wonderful day with Momo and enjoyed the temples and ramen. It’s great to know we could make your experience memorable. If you or anyone you know plans to visit Japan again, we’d be happy to help with another personalized tour! We look forward to the chance to assist again. Warm Regards, Koin
We asked her for a short tour our first day in Kyoto to get us acquainted with the city, and she really put together a good program with 3 temples, some stores, some street vendors, the old quarter, and a bar by the river. All that in 4 hours! She recommended a restaurant for after the tour, which turned out to be great. Her English is fantastic. Keiko is just a really smart and flexible person who can put together what you are looking for, I'm sure. She is actually from Indonesia but has lived in Japan for several years and is currently a student in Kyoto, so that was an interesting and different perspective we thought. Highly recommended. Kent and Luca
Dear Kent and Luca, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Keiko. It sounds like she did an excellent job of creating a comprehensive itinerary for your first day in Kyoto, showcasing the city's highlights while also providing insights into its culture and atmosphere. We're delighted that you appreciated Keiko's recommendations and found her to be both smart and flexible in tailoring the tour to your preferences. Her diverse background adds a unique perspective to the experience, and we're glad you found it interesting. We hope to welcome you back on your next visit to Japan, or perhaps your friends and family as they explore this beautiful country! Warm Regards, Koin
Our tour was with Chiharu and he was lovely. From the moment he met us at our accommodation he was tremendously friendly and kind. He took us to many of the highlights every tourist should see in Kyoto but also took us to some much less crowded and beautiful places that we had not thought about visiting. He took such good care of us recommending his favorite coffee shop close to where we are staying, making sure we had eaten or were planning to try all the important dishes of Japan and helping us get dinner reservations. He listened to what we enjoyed doing and explained so much about many of the sites we visited. Out of 5 I would give him 10. Booking was also very easy and Koin did a fantastic job communicating with me. If you are looking for a friendly, well educated, easy going local to help you find your way in Kyoto this is the tour for you.
Dear Caroline, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a brilliant time exploring Kyoto with Chiharu. It warms our hearts to know that he provided such a friendly and personalized experience for you, showcasing both the must-see highlights and hidden gems of Kyoto. We're delighted that Chiharu's recommendations, from coffee shops to local cuisine, added extra enjoyment to your trip. We hope to welcome you back on your next visit to Japan, or perhaps your friends and family as they explore this beautiful country! Warm Regards, Koin
We loved this tour. Chiharu was an excellent guide since he was local and knew the area well. We wanted to fo beyond the city and see the country side, normal life and the mountains. This tour was great for that as the train ran up the mountain through villages and also a magical Japanese Maple Forest. Our guide was patience with us as the hike was fairly steep at times. Food along the river was excellent and a wonderful experience. We were exhausted at the end of the day but totally recommend the company and the tour.
Dear Chip, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you loved your tour in the countryside. Chiharu is indeed an excellent guide, and we're proud to have him on our team. It's fantastic that you got to experience the beauty of the countryside, the normal life, and the mountains. The train journey through the villages and the Japanese Maple Forest sounds like a magical experience. And it's great to know that you enjoyed the excellent food along the river—it's always a delight to showcase the diverse culinary experiences Japan has to offer. Your recommendation means the world to us, and we truly appreciate your support. If you ever find yourself back in Japan or if any of your friends plan a visit, we'd be honored to host you again! Warm Regards, Koin