#mt. kurama

[silvermalkin]

We started our first day in Japan by hiking up to Kurama-dera. I initially looked into it because the YYH characters Kurama and Hiei are named after this mountain and another one nearby. I may have gone with impure motives but it truly ended up as one of my favorite parts of my trip!

Tengu are said to live on Mt. Kurama, so that's why they're in the train and on the sign. Also there's a huge tengu statue outside the train station!

I said hike, but it's more of an uphill trudge on a paved path... and THEN you reach this gate of the shrine!

[silvermalkin]

After you pay a small fee per person at the first gate to Kurama-dera you cleanse yourself at the fountain and... hike some more!

Although they had some English pamphlets at the entrance, most of the signs are only in Japanese so we probably missed a lot.

The scenery is beautiful and peaceful, and the best part is that there weren't many people there! It was mostly older folks and I was amazed at how well they powered up the mountain. Two ladies we had seen at the bottom applauded and congratulated us when we finally reached the top. 😖

We decided against continuing to Kibune, so we went back to Kurama (town) for lunch in a shop by the station. Because Kurama (YYH) is a fox demon, I couldn't stop myself from ordering Kitsune Donburi. It's a rice bowl with fried tofu on top and it. was. delicious.

We didn't go to Kurama onsen, but it has a good reputation as well as being tattoo-friendly!

[nicollemakesthings]

Last year I hiked up Mt. Kurama in Kyoto, and was rewarded with the most magical outdoor onsen.. I wish I was there now~

[avaricious-prophet]

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