Kurama Temple

Kurama-dera Temple is the head temple of Kurama-Kokyo, located on Mount Kurama in northern Kyoto City. Since before recorded history, the mountain has been revered as a sacred site for mountain worship traditions such as ancient Shinto, Onmyodo, and Shugendo. According to the "Kurama-dera Engi," in 770 (the first year of Hoki), the monk Gantei, a senior disciple of the Chinese master Ganjin, climbed Mount Kurama guided by a dream and a white horse. When he was attacked by a demon woman, he was saved by Bishamonten and built a hermitage to enshrine Bishamonten, which is said to mark the beginning of Kurama faith. Gantei belonged to the Ritsu sect, while later the restorer Mine-nobu was associated with Shingon Buddhism, and over time Tendai influence grew stronger, incorporating Tendai Hokke, Tendai esoteric practices, and Tendai Pure Land beliefs. These diverse traditions were unified into what is now called Kurama-Kokyo. The Main Hall (Kondo) enshrines Bishamonten, Senju Kannon Bosatsu, and Gohomaou-son; together these three deities are called Sonten and are revealed once every 60 years in the year of Hinoe-Tora. Arriving at Kurama Station on the Eizan Railway, the Niomon Gate is nearby. The cable car costs 200 yen one way and takes you close to the Tahoto Pagoda. The Kurama Fire Festival, considered one of Kyoto’s three most unusual festivals, is held in October.