We planned to run and walk in Kurama (鞍馬) area, which is located 13km north from the central city. It is famous for Kifune Shrine (貴船神社) and Kurama Temple((鞍馬寺) and very beautiful place throught the year for its green. People can't believe that it is only a half hour ride on the train from the city.
Kurama Dera is a hidden buddist temple which used be a temple for Shugenja (修験者), montain ascetic priests, who practiced ascetism in the mountain. The woods behind the temple spreads deeply and it is said there lived the Tengu goblins (天狗). Tengu was believed to be a God who protects Shugenja and nature, yet people feared them. There is also a famous history of Minamoto Yoshitsune (源義経) who stayed here during his ages of 7-16 and was mentored the by the Tengu. Yoshitsune was the younger brother of Minamoto Yoritomo (源頼朝), the leader of Kamakura Shogunate (鎌倉幕府), who was the first military general nominated by the Emperor. He had talent in the leadership and honestly wished to help his brother Yoritomo, however, the elder brother feared that Yoshitsune would overthrow him, Yoritomo finaly assassinated him. What a tragic ending...
On the other hand, Kifune is a very relaxed place. It has been a destination specially in summer to escape from the hotness in the city or to admire the green or the colored maple leaves. Kifune Shrine (貴船神社 ) is believed to be a God of Water and also a God of Marriage. Now it is popular among the young people. We can have dishes in the restaurants which are built right above the river (川床).
We took our breakfast, sandwiches and coffee, by the side of Kamogawa River (鴨川), close to Demachi Yanagai Station (出町柳) which is the gate to the Kurama area. So nice... We got off the Eizan train(叡山電車) at Kifuneguchi Station (貴船口) and walked up to Kifune Shrine. After visiting the shrine, we creeped into mountain pass to Kurama Dera.
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| Kifune Jinja（貴船神社） |
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| Kifune Jinja Okusha |
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| Kurama Dera |
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| Kurama Dera |
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| View toward the city of Kyoto from Kurama Dera |
Unfortunately, it began to rain when we arrived at Kurama station (鞍馬), so we decided to return to the city after visiting Rakuhoku (洛北) area. We ran a bit on the road to Ninose station (二ノ瀬). It reminded me of the event, the running race Saba Kaido Ultra Marathon (鯖街道ウルトラマラソン) which I would be back in two weeks here to participate. I will write about this race later.
In Rakuhoku area, we visited Manshu-In (曼殊院) which used be a temple owned by the Imperial families. There were few people there. It was calm and quite. So nice....
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| Inner Garden of Manshu-In |
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