Kyoto | Kurama Mountain Protected by Tengu: The Unique Faith of Sonten at Kurama Temple

Thanks to the novel by Daibutsu Jiro, Tengu and Kurama have become deeply intertwined. Upon arriving at Kurama Station, you'll be greeted by numerous Tengu symbols. Legend has it that Tengu are the guardians of Mount Kurama. The red Tengu is known as the Great Tengu, while the black Tengu is referred to as Karasu Tengu. Kurama Temple is said to have been established in the first year of the Hōki era, over 1,200 years ago. It belongs to the Kurama Kōkyō sect and serves as its main temple. What makes it unique is its worship of Sonten, a trinity of Bishamonten, Senju Kannon, and the Protector Demon King. This sets it apart from other temples that typically focus on either Kannon or Bishamonten. This mysterious temple also has an intriguing history. It is said that a Chinese monk named Jianzhen came to this mountain and deemed it a place filled with energy, leading to the establishment of this spiritually powerful temple. Before World War II, Kurama Temple was managed by three Buddhist sects. After the war, the head priest, Shinrei Kōun, centered the temple's practices on the spirituality of nature and mountain worship, breaking away from traditional Buddhist sects to form a new religious sect. Legend has it that Kurama Temple was also the training ground for Japan's war hero Minamoto no Yoshitsune during his childhood. It is said that he encountered the Great Tengu at night, which marked the beginning of his martial arts journey, eventually leaving a significant mark on Japanese history. In Kibune, there is a 3.9-kilometer mountain trail that leads directly to Kurama Temple. However, it is recommended to take the train to Kurama, ride the cable car up the mountain, and walk down. Your knees will thank you for it. 📍Address: 1074 Kuramahonmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1111, Japan 🚗 From Osaka or Kyoto, take the Keihan Electric Railway to Demachiyanagi Station, then transfer to the Eizan Electric Railway to Kurama Station. From there, it's about a 10-minute walk uphill to reach Kurama Temple.