The way to Mount Kurama begins in you.

Some of the histories of Reiki tell us that after a long period of study in ancient texts, Mikao Usui's attunement to the healing system that became Reiki occurred after a 21-day form of Tendai Buddhist meditation on Kurama. The Temple is one of Pure Land Buddhism. Mount Kurama is a very sacred, beautiful and wonderful place and we encourage you to spend several days or longer there. There are many shrines and there is a museum in which you may see the history of efforts there as well as examples of the wildlife and art indigenous to the area. The love, caring and craftsmanship that was put into the spiritual buildings and pathways of Mount Kurama will be evident to you as you experience it firsthand.

Invaluable is looking into purchasing a Japanese Rail Pass if you plan to visit Mount Kurama by beginning in Tokyo or if you plan to later visit the Usui Memorial in Tokyo. The train to Kyoto from Tokyo leaves from Tokyo Station and you can get there by subway. When you arrive in Kyoto you can take the number 4 or 17 bus from Kyoto Station to Demachiyanagi Station. Next take the Eiden train from that station to Kurama Station. You will walk a short distance through the town to some stone steps that lead to the gate. There are several shops along the way where souvenirs and incense are available.

There is an area at the gate where you may purchase a guide map for 200 yen (less than $2) in either English or in Japanese. The map can be very helpful to you in identifying the various buildings and sites on the mountain and also briefly describes some of it's history.

After a very short walk to your right after entering, you will come to a building where a cable car will take you up a steep incline. Upon exiting the car, simply follow the map. You will notice that there is a shrine at nearby Kilbune and you may wish to visit that as well. It is my hope that the special and spirtual nature of Mt. Kurama will reach out to you through the photographs provided by Northwest Reiki and Reiki North Idaho.

Namaste

Please note that the photo album tour will open in a new browser window. The album is set up in thumbnail photos, you can view by thumbnail or click on any of the thumbnail photos and tour larger photos one by one. Return to the main photo album page by clicking on the decorative graphic under the album title, close your browser to be returned to this page.