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Private Kurama Journey: The Birthplace of Reiki and the Legendary Tengu Trail

Private Kurama Journey: The Birthplace of Reiki and the Legendary Tengu Trail

Name: Kyoto Guided Tours
Brand: GoWithGuide
Price: 314 USD
Rating: 5.0 (10 reviews)

Nature & Outdoor

Joined 2024

Akari Y.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

Chinese (Simplified), English, Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Akari Y.)

Up to 8 people

Enjoy a private hike through the legendary mountains of Kurama and Kibune, known as the birthplace of Reiki. Visit Kurama Temple, a place associated with the legendary story of a Japanese hero from over 800 years ago, who is said to have trained with the mythical Tengu. Walk through a lush primeval forest, surrounded by ancient trees and the gentle sound of flowing water. Finish in Kibune with a visit to its sacred Shinto shrines.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Kyoto city.

- At your hotel in Kyoto city or Station near from your hotel.

10:00 AM

Start from Kurama Station

Kurama Temple

Mount Kurama, in northern Kyoto, is a sacred mountain known for its spiritual power, ancient forest, and legendary stories. It is home to Kurama-dera Temple, founded in 770 AD by the monk Gantei, a disciple of the Chinese monk Jianzhen (Ganjin). The temple has long been a center of mountain worship, blending Buddhism with native spiritual beliefs.

With its ancient cedar forests and mystical atmosphere, Mount Kurama remains a powerful place for reflection and hiking.

Entrance fee JPY 500

Kibune

Kibune is a peaceful mountain village in northern Kyoto, surrounded by lush forests and clear streams. It is home to Kifune Shrine, a sacred Shinto shrine over 1,300 years old, dedicated to the deity of water and rain. The area is known for its spiritual atmosphere, beautiful nature, and traditional riverside paths. Visitors can enjoy delicious meals at the riverside restaurants, known as kawadoko, where fish dishes and local specialties are served while dining above the cool stream. Many also hike from nearby Kurama to reach this historic and serene village.

03:00 PM

Kibune station

Takes 1 hour to go back to Kyoto city from Kibune.

Ending Point

At your request

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Private English-speaking guide service

Admission fees

What‘s not included

Please note that transportation from Demachiyanagi is not included in the tour price. The approximate round-trip fare is JPY 1,500 per person.

Lunch is also not included and is expected to cost approximately JPY 2,000–3,000 per person. We kindly ask guests to cover the guide’s lunch when dining together.

Tour Important Information

Please note that this tour involves an extended walk along mountain trails and uneven paths. For your comfort and safety, suitable walking shoes are highly recommended.

This experience may not be suitable for guests with significant back or knee conditions and is not wheelchair accessible.

To ensure a comfortable and thoughtfully arranged experience, please advise us in advance of any food allergies, dietary requirements, or health considerations.

Important message from the supplier

Guests are kindly requested to cover the guide’s transportation and admission fees during the tour. Lunch expenses for both the guest and the guide are also not included in the tour fee.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2024

Akari Y.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Akari Y.

I was born in Osaka and grew up in both Osaka and Kyoto. Since 2023, I have been offering private tours throughout the Kansai region, introducing guests to the history, culture, traditions, and everyday life of Japan in a personal and thoughtful way.

Before becoming a guide, I spent 16 years in sales and event planning at a luxury international hotel in Osaka, where I worked with guests and clients from around the world. I have also lived in the United States, China, and Australia, experiences that have given me a strong understanding of different cultures and the expectations of international travelers.

My tours are designed to offer more than a visit to well-known landmarks. I enjoy revealing the stories behind temples and shrines, Japanese architecture, Buddhism and Shinto, local cuisine, traditional craftsmanship, pilgrimage routes, and the people who have shaped Japan’s history and culture.

I especially enjoy creating bespoke, unhurried experiences tailored to each guest. The itinerary, walking pace, and breaks can be adjusted throughout the day, allowing you to explore according to your interests and enjoy each destination without feeling rushed.

Whether you are drawn to history, architecture, local neighborhoods, traditional culture, or everyday Japanese life, my aim is to create a meaningful and memorable journey that feels personal to you.

I look forward to welcoming you and helping you discover the distinctive character, stories, and beauty of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. Private day trips to Wakayama may also be arranged upon request, with departure from Osaka.

Reviews

Daniel S.

5 / 5

Jun 18, 2026

Private Kurama Journey: The Birthplace of Reiki and the Legendary Tengu Trail

Jun 18, 2026

Kyoto

6 hours

“ An Unforgettable Day with Akari at Mount Kurama and Kibune”

Our family of four had the pleasure of spending a day with Akari exploring Mount Kurama and Kibune, and it was one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Japan. Akari is far more than a guide—she is a wonderful storyteller, teacher, and ambassador for Japanese culture. Her knowledge of the history, spirituality, mythology, and traditions of the area brought every temple, trail, and shrine to life. She answered countless questions from both adults and children with patience, enthusiasm, and remarkable depth of knowledge. What made the experience truly special was Akari herself. She is warm, kind, thoughtful, and genuinely cares about creating meaningful experiences for her guests. She connected wonderfully with our two sons, making them feel engaged and included throughout the day, while also sharing insights that we as parents deeply appreciated. Thanks to Akari, we did not simply visit Kurama and Kibune—we experienced them. We left with a much deeper understanding of Japanese history, nature, and spirituality, along with memories our family will cherish for years to come. If you are considering a guide in Kyoto, we cannot recommend Akari highly enough. She turned a beautiful day into an unforgettable one. Thank you, Akari, for helping make our family’s journey to Japan so special. — Daniel, Lisa, Jack, and Alex Srour Highland Park IL USA

Akari Y.

Thank you very much for your beautiful review. I was truly touched by your generous words. It means a great deal to me to know that your day in Kurama and Kibune became such a memorable part of your family’s journey in Japan. I also remember the day very fondly—the quiet sound of the river, seeing the deer, our conversations about Reiki, the history of the mountain, the hero legends, and the stories of the dragon. Even the simple moments, such as enjoying lunch together and riding the bus and train, felt like a meaningful part of the experience. It was a pleasure to share Kurama and Kibune with all of you. Your family’s warmth, curiosity, and openness made the day very special for me as well. Thank you again for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review, and also for kindly sharing the photos on GoWithGuide. I am sincerely grateful. I hope your memories of Japan will stay with you for many years, and I would be delighted if our paths cross again someday.

Sarah V.

5 / 5

May 7, 2026

Osaka Morning Highlights Tour (4 Hours)

May 7, 2026

Osaka

4 hours

Customized

“Best day ever in Osaka. We loved Akari!!”

Akari was an incredible tour guide for our family. We organized a custom itinerary for the morning and she was able to keep us on track. My kids especially loved visiting Koreatown and learning how to pray at the temples. She was patient and listened to our kids. We had an incredible day and couldn’t recommend her more.

Akari Y.

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words — they truly mean a lot to me. I'm so happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed your time in Osaka. It was a pleasure seeing everyone try so many different foods, and I loved how open and curious your children were as they explored both Korean and Japanese culture throughout the tour. It was an honor to be part of your family's special travel memories. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to have met you all. I hope you are settling back in comfortably, and that your memories of Japan will stay with you for a long time.

Elizabeth F.

5 / 5

Apr 1, 2026

Create Your Own Osaka: Private Tour from Korea Town to the City’s Heart

Apr 1, 2026

Osaka

6 hours

Customized

“Great guide with insight on the local history”

Akari took me on a great walking tour of the areas of Osaka that aren't as popular with tourists. She even knew where all the Kpop shops were, so if you are interested in that, she is perfect! She also knows all the history, which I liked a lot. I enjoyed her tour immensely.

Akari Y.

It was perfect timing that we were able to see the cherry blossoms at Osaka Castle—it made the day even more memorable. I really enjoyed how open you were to trying new foods, even ones you had never had before—it made the experience even more special for me. I was also very happy to see your genuine interest in Osaka’s history and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. As someone who truly loves history, it meant a lot to me to share that with you—it was very rewarding as a guide. It was such a lovely moment spending time together at my local park and seeing you connect so naturally with the local people there. Those are the kinds of genuine experiences I truly value. And of course, exploring the K-pop spots together was so much fun! Thank you for such a wonderful time—I hope we can meet again someday.