Kurama

Getting there

By train Keihan Railways connects North Kyoto with Eastern Kyoto at Demachiyanagi Station, the final stop on the line. On the Western side, the Keifuku Railroad (Randen) streetcar provides easy access to the area from Arashiyama, with stops for Ninnaji, Ryoanji, Kinkakuji, and Kitano Tenmangu (Kitano Hakubaicho Station). Fare is a flat ¥220, ¥110 for children 6–12 (Nov 2018).

By subway Kitaōji Station on the municipal subway system's Karasuma Line gives travellers easy access to a key bus terminal that serves parts of northern Kyoto. The Karasuma Line continues north all the way to Kokusaikaikan Station, near the Kyoto International Conference Center.

By bus

Northern Kyoto covers a large area, so many buses travel through the region. The #8 North (北８) bus makes a loop around the entire northern area. In the northwest, #59 passes most of the major attractions. In the northeast bus #4 and #5 each travel around popular touring spots. The #8 is the only bus that will take you to and from the Takao area. The #17 bus will take you to the Ohara area. Both of these areas are located outside of the boundary of the ¥500 All-Day Bus pass, so do not purchase the pass if you are travelling to either of these areas.

See

North-western Kyoto Visiting the vast temple complexes of north-western Kyoto can take the better part of a day. A suggested itinerary is to take the subway (Karasuma line) to Kitaoji station, and walk west along Kitaoji-dōri. Daitoku-ji, Kinkaku-ji, Ryōan-ji and Ninna-ji Temples are all on Kitaoji-dōri, and about 15-30 minutes' walk apart. However if it is summer time and sweltering hot it is easy to take the bus from temple to temple as well, just read the route map at the stops. En route, you will see the giant "dai" (大) symbol burned on Mt. Daimon-ji, which can be climbed in an hour or so - look for the entrance near Kinkaku-ji (see below). If you're in Kyoto at night on August 16th, look up - you'll see the (大) aflame. Hirano Shrine is a short walk south along Nishioji-dōri from Kinkaku-ji. If you still have time left at the end of the day, take the pleasant electric railway (Keifuku Kitano line) from Omuro to Katabiranotsuji, then take the JR Sagano line from nearby Uzumasa station back to central Kyoto.

1 Kinkaku-ji Temple (金閣寺), 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku (nearest bus stops: Kinkakuji-michi (routes 12, 59, 101, 102, 204, 205) or Kinkakuji-mae (12 and 59)). Daily 09:00-17:00. The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, formally known as Rokuonji (鹿苑寺), is the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto. The pavilion was built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century, and converted into a temple by his son. However, the pavilion was burnt down in 1950, by a young monk who had become obsessed with it. (The story became the basis for Yukio Mishima's novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion.) The beautiful landscaping and the reflection of the temple on the face of the water make for a striking sight, but keeping the mobs of visitors out of your photos will be a stern test for your framing abilities. Get there early if you can to beat the school groups. Visitors follow a path through the moss garden surrounding the pavilion, before emergi

Do

Zen Meditation at Shunkō-in (春光院), 42 Myōshiji-chō, Hanazono, Ukyō-ku, ☏ +81 75 462 5488, [email protected]. 09:00-10:30, 10:40-12:10, 13:30-15:00 daily. The temple's American-educated vice abbot, Rev. Taka Kawakami, offers a detailed English tour of temple and leads Zen meditation lessons. The temple hosts many important artistic and cultural properties related to Zen Buddhism and also connected to Shinto and Christianity, and also offers accommodation for ¥5000/night. Accommodations: ¥4000-5000; Tour: ¥2000, including matcha green tea and sweet. Zen Meditation at Taizō-in (退蔵院). Session occurs from 09:00 to 13:00 only one day per week. Much more than simply a Zen meditation session, after one hour of meditation, participants will also get to experience a brief tea ceremony, calligraphy lessons, and an English tour of the temple's garden. It is a rare opportunity for tourists, but be aware that you will need to devote half of a day for the entire session. Reservations are required, but you can make your reservation in English at the website. All participants must be at least 15 years of age. ¥7500. Kurama Onsen (鞍馬温泉) (near Eizan Railways Kurama stn). Daily 10:00-22:00. Well known hot spring in the small village of Kurama (see #See). 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. There's also a free shuttle bus going every now and then, but you're recommended to take the walk (at least on the way back, which is downhill) and see some Japanese countryside. Day entry ¥1400-2700 depending on chosen plan and date. Fire Festival This festival is held every year in October. It's a fascinating festival that few would have likely have seen in their home countries. The date tends to be around the 20th but might change from year to year. Find out when it is and go earl

Buy

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Flea Market. On the 25th of each month Kitano Tenmangu hosts a flea market, with vendors lining both sides of the pathway leading up to the honden and then extends around each side. Pottery, porcelain, traditional dolls, and clothing are among the items sold, along with food. If you can manage to get here on the 25th, it's a great place to find unique souvenirs for great prices.

Eat

Budget Kurazushi, 4 Hiranomiyajiki-cho (Between Ryoan-ji and Kinkaku-ji, across from the Inshodomoto Museum of Fine Arts), ☏ +81 75-466-6101. Daily 11:00-23:00. A cheap and fun way to dine. For every five plates you finish, put the down the shoot to play a game on the screen above the sushi. Each game is different, but you'll typically be asked to choose one of three options and then watch the animation to see if you win. If you win, you get a prize. It's entertaining, and the sushi tastes good. ¥100 per dish.

Mid-range Falafel Garden, 3-16 Shimoyanagi-cho, ☏ +81 75-712-1856. 11:30-21:30, closed W in April and May. An Israeli restaurant serving a variety of falafel pockets, as well as meal sets. Medium-sized falafels range in price from ¥860-1100, large sizes available.

Splurge Bistro Cerisier (ビストロ スリージェ bisutoro suriije) (a 4-minute walk from Demachiyanagi Station), ☏ +81 75-723-5564. Lunch 11:30-14:30, dinner 18:00-21:30 (closed W). A French restaurant decorated with a variety of French posters. They claim to have the approval of the French themselves. Expect to pay ¥1,000-3,000.

Drink & nightlife

Most of the drinking options in the Northern area are located in the Eastern section, within walking distance of Keihan and Eizan Railway stations.

Bar Moonwalk. Offers a large selection of drinks at a great cost. Finger food is also available. Drink