Kitayama Area & Greater Kyoto - Kyoto - page 284

If you happen to be in Kyoto on the night of 22 October, be sure not to miss the
Kurama Hi Matsuri ( CLICK HERE ) fire festival. It's one of the most exciting festivals in the
Kyoto area.
To get to Kurama and Kibune, take the Eizan line from Kyoto's Demachiyanagi Sta-
tion. For Kibune, get off at the second-to-last stop, Kibune-guchi, take a right out of the
station and walk about 20 minutes up the hill. For Kurama, go to the last stop, Kurama,
and walk straight out of the station. Both destinations are ¥410 and take about 30 minutes
to reach.
OUT TO EAT IN KURAMA & KIBUNE
Most of the restaurants in Kurama are clustered on the main road outside Kurama-dera's main gate.
Visitors to Kibune from June to September should not miss the chance to dine at one of the picturesque res-
taurants beside the Kibune-gawa. Known as kawa-doko , meals are served on platforms suspended over the
river as cool water flows underneath. Most of the restaurants offer a lunch special for around ¥3000. For a kais-
eki (Japanese haute cuisine; ¥5000 to ¥10,000) spread, have a Japanese speaker call to reserve it in advance.
Yōshūji OFFLINE MAP ( 雍州路 ; 741-2848; 1074 Honmachi, Kurama, Sakyō-ku; meals from ¥1050;
10am-6pm, closed Tue; ; 2min walk from Kurama Station, Eizan line) Yōshūji serves superb shōjin
ryōri (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) in a delightful old Japanese farmhouse with an irori (open hearth). The
house special, a sumptuous selection of vegetarian dishes served in red lacquered bowls, is called kurama-yama
shōjin zen (¥2600). If you're just wanting a quick bite, try the uzu-soba ( soba topped with mountain vegetables;
¥1050). It's halfway up the steps leading to the main gate of Kurama-dera ( CLICK HERE ).
Aburaya-shokudō OFFLINE MAP ( 油屋食堂 ; 7741-2009; 252 Honmachi, Kurama, Sakyō-ku; udon &
soba from ¥600; 9.30am-4.30pm; 2min walk from Kurama Station, Eizan line) Just down the steps
from the main gate of Kurama-dera, this classic old-style shokudō (Japanese-style cafeteria/cheap restaurant) re-
minds us of what Japan was like before it got rich. The sansai teishoku (¥1750) is a delightful selection of ve-
getables, rice and soba topped with grated yam. It's on the corner.
Nakayoshi OFFLINE MAP ( 仲よし ; 741-2000; Sakyō-ku, Kurama, Kibune-chō 71; lunch/kaiseki dinner
from ¥3500/8500; 11am-7pm; 5min taxi ride from Kibune-guchi Station, Eizan line) Nakayoshi serves
a lunch bentō (boxed meal) for ¥3500. It has dining platforms over the river and the food is well prepared.
Tochigiku OFFLINE MAP ( 栃喜久 ; 741-5555; Sakyō-ku, Kurama, Kibune-chō 17; sukiyaki from ¥8000;
11am-7pm; 5min taxi ride from Kibune-guchi Station, Eizan line) Try this lovely riverside restaurant
for chicken and beef sukiyaki, wild boar stew and kaiseki sets. There is a small English sign.