Kurama & Kibune

I took a cycle ride up to Kurama recently. This is only about 6km from where I´m based but all uphill (benefit, coming home is downhill). Again this is a fantastic place to visit in this season - the autumn colours are amazing. The last time I was in Kurama, it was at night for a fire festival. Seeing the same place in the daytime was quite distinct.

View on the way up

There is a walk over Mount Kurama you can do which leads you to Kibune on the other side. This starts at the temple and has various shrines and small temples along the way. It is quite a climb but lovely to do (except from the inevitable fact that it is full of other people doing the same).

Entrance to temple complex with sandals

Way up

Small shrine with offerings of sake and eggs. Not sure what this is for, why these things are offered. In some of the others it was like a supermarket - all types of snacks, even a bag of yogurt drink supplements.

Nifty crazy head key-chain selling booth. (but a bit of a rip-off at 400 yen...)

On the other side, Kibune has many restaurants, lovely looking and then it is quite a long walk (I went the wrong way first) down to the train to get back to Kurama (I left my bike there, not thought out so well...)

But back in Kurama and I had a visit to the onsen there - outside with lovely views of the hills and the trees. Cold outside but water so hot, perfect after a long day cycling and hiking.

Strange river ornamental thing