Kifune Shrine

We decided to rent a car to hit up a few destinations that we a little more out of the way, and Kifune shrine was one of them. I had read reviews where the traffic and parking were frustrating, but we may have gotten lucky and stumbled upon a quiet afternoon. The roads were clear, and the drive through the small town and natural landscapes were enjoyable.

There are little shops and restaurants scattered along the way up the hill that could make for a nice, easy hike up if you choose to transit and walk up.

The late December air was a little chilly but pleasantly so and we only encountered several people. We dined at a nearby restaurant and tried their delicious fresh tofu dishes.

For the shrine itself, the iconic path leading up is even more stunning in person. How the shrine is layered on different levels in itself is interesting. The water omukuji is also fun and fitting for the shrine, the qr code and translation was so helpful.

Our overall experience was serene and rejuvenating from the busy itinerary we had so far. And somehow, we did leave with a feeling like we were cleansed, and our minds were lighter. We're glad we had this on our list.

It's a nice trip out from the hustle and bustle of the city that we would recommend. We would definitely come visit again during a warmer season to dine on the waters and get a different experience.

This shrine is extra scenic during autumn. Do note though that crowd starts to build up earlier.

The shrine is dedicated to the deity of water and rain. Hence, its unique omikuji isn't a surprise -- you dip the seemingly blank paper into the shrine's water fountain and text will appear. Note though that this omikuji is only available in Japanese.

A small shire with famous red lantans along the stair.

Kifune shire came from a legend of goddess Tamayori Hime that sailed a yellow boat from Osaka Bay up the river to this very spot, which gave the same of Kifune (Yellow boat).

It is said that the local people pray to the water deity here, and in the olden days, they used to offer the Black Horse when there is drought and the White Horse when there is flood. So there are black and white horse statues in the shire.

The shire is also a birth place for Ema (the wooden plaque that is used for offer prayer and wish that you hand up in the shire).

The sacred water that drops down from the mountain is beautiful and makes you feel spititual. There is a fortune telling that you have to flote in the water for the fortune to appear. (QR code for English translation)

We went on the weekend and there were a lot of both local and international tourists so we could not enjoy it as much as we should. So i would recommend going on weekdays instead.

Tips :
- We planned a one day trip starting from Kamigamo , Shimogamo, Kamo Delta, and then Kifune, and it turned out to be perfect for us in terms of timing and travelling So you could check out this route if you are interested.
- In autumn, there is a Maple tunnel along the Eizan railway.
- Kyoto Bus No. 33 from the train station to Kifune cost 170 yen and may not operate all year round and only operates at night during festive season. So be sure to check with Kifune website before you visit.

Beautiful remote shrine deep in the woods. One of the must see places if you are wanting to experience Japanese culture. I did not partake in the resteraunts but they were plentiful. Nice walk up a hill near multiple shrines and waterfalls.

A must-see and do in Kyoto for me: Kifune and Kurama. Although these two temples are more popular when covered in winter snow, I still believe they are worth a visit. The streets, the mountains, and the houses are all stunning. For the adventurous, there's even a trail that connects the two temples!
(Here are some photos from winter)

My favorite shrine in winter and autumn! The steps are undoubtedly beautiful with the snow and autumn leaves combined with the lanterns at night. Highly recommended!

Great places for chill walk to the shrine. Transportation fee all included in the Kansai Thru Pass which really saves a lot of time and cost. Along the route there’s some restaurant to let people enjoy the river fall and the environment is legit. Cold n chill

This is a nice hiking trail just outside Kyoto city. Take a Eizan railway train to this small town of kurama. There is a staircase trail to the top where you will visit the kifune shrine. Go even further and you will start ascending through a hiking trail. Reach to the top where the spread of tree roots is impossible to miss. From there see the sign board and descend to Kibune. This part of trail is more raw giving a sense of adventure. It's quite steep so it's not at all recommended to do the trek in opposite route unless you are very fit. Descend down to the flowing Kibune river and walk beside it to reach Kibuneguchi railway station. Keep some water with you and start the hike no later than 3 pm or even better to do it in the morning time.

I took train from Osaka to Kibuneguchi station.. the nearest station from Kifune shrine. As I got off the train.. I was mesmerised by the view around this station. Kibuneguchi was a beautiful small station with a single track.. located on the slope of the mountain.
I was surrounded by peace and tranquillity and of course the beautiful colours of autumn 🍂.
There were several little waterfalls around the station.
My admiration began even before I reached the shrine.
Then I walked from the station about 30 minutes to reach Kifune.
Again.. along the way up to the Shrine.. what I saw really amazed me.. colourful autumn foliage.. beauty beyond words harmonised by the sound of water in the river on my right.. was incredibly wonderful.
The Shrine itself was a beautiful small shrine on the hill where you can find serenity.
If you are a true nature lover.. I suggest that you shoul visit this place when you're in Japan.
You'll be in awe.!
This was one of the best journey I've ever had in my life.!

Train to Karuma then a hike over the hill to Kifune. Beautiful scenery and a little snow!

very easy to get to. there's 3 parts of this shrine so keep walking along the way to see all 3 parts of it. not crowded and beautiful in fall.

Nice and short hiking was great from kurama to kifune.
Easy access by the train.

Must-visit to the temple even though it was inaccessible. Need a couple of transfers on the local trains and bus before enroute to a hiking trail up to the shrine. Very peaceful town and beautiful shrine.

the entire hike up to the shrine and beyond is so beautiful! insanely tall trees + no obnoxious tourist crowd + fresh, crisp air. bus no. 33 drops and picks up super close to the site, everything was easy to figure out. only, restaurant options are limited not to mention overpriced, so it's better to eat beforehand or somewhere else after, i believe

Took the Karasuma Line and get off at Kibune Station
In front of the exit, there is a bus stop. Hop on the bus, and get off at the third station(final station) then walk not too far is the shrine main entrance
On your way to the shrine, you can see a red bridge on your right hand side heading to Kurama-dera Temple, once you goes down from Kifune, consider Kurama-dera

If you visit Kurama-dera, you can use Karasuma Line from Kurama Station(near Kurama-dera main entrance)

Mt Kurama is a must go if you are near. My pic shows the exit point for most, but you can still enter here, but the climb on this end will be quite difficult for most. If you are here for the first time, best to go to the main entrance and start there.

This is the outermost part of the kifune shrine (the one with lanterns on both sides of the stairs). A very beautiful place with lots of tourists standing and blocking the stairs for photo. Better come here early otherwise it would be quite crowded.

Great place to appreciate Tokyo history and the autumn colour. The view along the river makes this place special

When I visited, it was snowing, which made the experience even more magical and unforgettable.

The shrine itself is nestled in the mountainside, with a serene atmosphere that provides a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The shrine was a small area where you can get your fortune taken by placing your paper on the water and scanning the QR code. Quite cool.

One of the highlights of my visit was taking the stone steps up. With its red lanterns on the side, it was the iconic look from Kibune

It has been a dream of mine to visit this shrine. Besides the pure beauty of this Shinto fantasy, cradled in dewy, verdant boughs of the sublime, Kifune Shrine is home to the “ema,” or Japanese wooden votive plaques. E(絵) means picture, and ma(馬) means horse, which is what those horse statues and horse-emblazoned plaques are all about. This shrine requires a bit of walking (nothing serious for non-Americans) and going up and down stairs. Do make sure you complete the course and reach the final shrine! It’s worth it. These shrines are incredibly clean and well-maintained. Best to visit during the morning before the tourists come surging in or around sunset once the lanterns come to life.

We went during April, which may just be the perfect time of year to make pilgrimage. The trees had been reclothed in their green plumage, the air temperate from infinitesimal droplets of spring showers, and white-pink cherry blossom petals raining from the sky like snow. A transformative experience indeed.

A tip for the non-Japanese visitor: eschew the centers of the walkways, which are reserved for “god.” Do pay respects to the deities by kissing your palms together as you offer a brief bow of salutation before entering and after exiting an archway (torii).