Kurama Mountain, guarded by Tengu, and the unique faith of Sonten at Kurama-dera.

Thanks to the novel by Daibutsu Jiro, Tengu and Kurama have become deeply connected. Upon arriving at Kurama Station, you'll be greeted by numerous Tengu symbols. Legend has it that Tengu are the protectors of Kurama Mountain. The red Tengu is called the Great Tengu, while the black ones are known as Karasu Tengu. Kurama-dera 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 special is its worship of Sonten, a trinity of Bishamonten, Senju Kannon, and Gohō Maōzon, which sets it apart from other temples that typically focus on a single deity like Kannon or Bishamonten. This mysterious temple also has a fascinating history. It is said that a Chinese monk named Jianzhen came to this mountain and deemed it a place full of energy, leading to the establishment of this spiritually powerful temple. Before World War II, Kurama-dera 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 Mountain 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 shaping Japanese history with his skills. While there is a 3.9-kilometer mountain trail from Kibune that leads directly to Kurama-dera, it is recommended to take the train to Kurama Station, 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, transfer to the Eizan Electric Railway, and get off at Kurama Station. Walk about 10 minutes uphill to reach Kurama-dera.