Kurama Onsen
Kurama Onsen
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
280 reviews
Excellent
149
Very good
105
Average
20
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Ceci T
Washington DC, DC331 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
If you are looking for a break from temple visits and can’t travel far from Kyoto this is your stop! Only 30 min from downtown Kyoto but it feels very remote in a beautiful mountain setting. Riding the electric train up the mountain is part of the fun. Outdoor onsen is wonderful and very serene. We also enjoyed the indoor bath. Restaurant serves good food. A wonderful way to spend a rainy and cool January afternoon.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason C
Penang158 contributions
Oct 2015
99% of ppl will hike from Kurama first to Kibune. They are either blindly following reviews or just going with the crowd. Don't be the 99%. Be the smart one.. here's how:
If you wanna do the hike, START FROM KIBUNE FIRST., THEN HIKE TO KURAMA.
Get off the train at Kibuneguchi. Wait for the bus which'll come shortly, for the 5min/2km ride uphill to Kibune town (don't walk, save yr energy for the hike).
Get off the bus, and go up to Kibune shrine to pay yr respects, then walk down the Torii lined steps and turn left across the red bridge a short 10 steps away from the shrine. Pay Y300 as a hiking fee.
'The hike itself IS NOT LONG. If you're an average person, in average health, goes to the gym 1x/week, you'll be able to do the whole hike in 2 hrs flat, No problem.
I recommend you do this hike KIBUNE --> KURAMA, not the other way around, for 3 good reasons:
1) you finish in kurama and get to the onsen to soak your tiredness away.. it just makes sense!
2) more restaurant and dining place options in Kurama vs Kibune
3) the Kibune track to Kurama is MUCH easier from Kibune (you'll suffer a steep gradient for first 20 mins, but it's ALL DOWNHILL from there. Laugh at the clueless tourists huffing and sweating as they pass you the other way.
4) BONUS - when you want to get onto the train home, Kurama is the first station to board, which means you'll definitely get a nice front row seat. The horde at Kibune will be the next station. Laugh at them again, as they clamber on board and rush to get a seat for their tired legs. Smile to yourself, as you made a PERFECT decision to hike the other way, and thus, get a comfy seat while latecomers have a disappointed look when there's no seats left.
The onsen itself is fantastic. Drop your clothes and embrace your inner nakedness. Don't be shy - just make sure you "trim the bush" so everything's neat and tidy down there. Don't want to embarass yourself by showing off your jungle do you? (never mind youre already in one).
Free shuttle bus to and fro the Kurama station. Again, best things in life are free, so use the shuttle, don't walk there.
If you wanna do the hike, START FROM KIBUNE FIRST., THEN HIKE TO KURAMA.
Get off the train at Kibuneguchi. Wait for the bus which'll come shortly, for the 5min/2km ride uphill to Kibune town (don't walk, save yr energy for the hike).
Get off the bus, and go up to Kibune shrine to pay yr respects, then walk down the Torii lined steps and turn left across the red bridge a short 10 steps away from the shrine. Pay Y300 as a hiking fee.
'The hike itself IS NOT LONG. If you're an average person, in average health, goes to the gym 1x/week, you'll be able to do the whole hike in 2 hrs flat, No problem.
I recommend you do this hike KIBUNE --> KURAMA, not the other way around, for 3 good reasons:
1) you finish in kurama and get to the onsen to soak your tiredness away.. it just makes sense!
2) more restaurant and dining place options in Kurama vs Kibune
3) the Kibune track to Kurama is MUCH easier from Kibune (you'll suffer a steep gradient for first 20 mins, but it's ALL DOWNHILL from there. Laugh at the clueless tourists huffing and sweating as they pass you the other way.
4) BONUS - when you want to get onto the train home, Kurama is the first station to board, which means you'll definitely get a nice front row seat. The horde at Kibune will be the next station. Laugh at them again, as they clamber on board and rush to get a seat for their tired legs. Smile to yourself, as you made a PERFECT decision to hike the other way, and thus, get a comfy seat while latecomers have a disappointed look when there's no seats left.
The onsen itself is fantastic. Drop your clothes and embrace your inner nakedness. Don't be shy - just make sure you "trim the bush" so everything's neat and tidy down there. Don't want to embarass yourself by showing off your jungle do you? (never mind youre already in one).
Free shuttle bus to and fro the Kurama station. Again, best things in life are free, so use the shuttle, don't walk there.
Written November 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linas M
Washington D.C.17 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
I wish someone else had written more information, so I wouldn't have to. Instead, most of the reviews just seem to want to embellish and present their English language majors.
This will take you about an average 40 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes to get and to come back from, and about 500 to 800 yen, depending where from Kyoto you're leaving. The trip is VERY easy, and there are multiple ways to do it, so don't be scared. You can ask anyone along the way - Kurama onsen - they all know.
Probably the best way is take the metro line up north, and then take bus 52 from the last stop, directly to the onsen (come back same way until 8pm), after that walk to Kurama station (15 minutes) and take the train back to town.
It is a rip off to stay at the ryokan for what you get, and how much you have to pay. It is ALSO a rip off to pay 2500 for the inside+outside, because inside is the same sauna like every Gold's gym, and same bath like your bathtub at home. OUTSIDE onsen is the whole idea here, it's much cheaper, and much better maintained at only 1100 yen.
Hours are until 9pm USUALLY, but during winter months, the outside closes at 8PM, and since inside is a waste of time and money, that's your cut off point. You will want at least 1 hour, maybe 2 to hang out there, relax, take pictures (no one will stop you), and drink a beer.
This is NOT a real onsen, but it's the closest you're gonna get here; at least it has amazingly well maintained outside onsen that looks authentic at least; again, inside is a complete waste.
Finally, you have to get in naked, and it's separated by gender. Bring your own towel and save 400 yen, or just dry off and carry nothing extra with you.
This will take you about an average 40 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes to get and to come back from, and about 500 to 800 yen, depending where from Kyoto you're leaving. The trip is VERY easy, and there are multiple ways to do it, so don't be scared. You can ask anyone along the way - Kurama onsen - they all know.
Probably the best way is take the metro line up north, and then take bus 52 from the last stop, directly to the onsen (come back same way until 8pm), after that walk to Kurama station (15 minutes) and take the train back to town.
It is a rip off to stay at the ryokan for what you get, and how much you have to pay. It is ALSO a rip off to pay 2500 for the inside+outside, because inside is the same sauna like every Gold's gym, and same bath like your bathtub at home. OUTSIDE onsen is the whole idea here, it's much cheaper, and much better maintained at only 1100 yen.
Hours are until 9pm USUALLY, but during winter months, the outside closes at 8PM, and since inside is a waste of time and money, that's your cut off point. You will want at least 1 hour, maybe 2 to hang out there, relax, take pictures (no one will stop you), and drink a beer.
This is NOT a real onsen, but it's the closest you're gonna get here; at least it has amazingly well maintained outside onsen that looks authentic at least; again, inside is a complete waste.
Finally, you have to get in naked, and it's separated by gender. Bring your own towel and save 400 yen, or just dry off and carry nothing extra with you.
Written December 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kexin9
London, UK3 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
My heart really goes out to this place. If it was not for the fact that I was already half way across Japan, I sincerely wished I had gone back and thanked the staff in person after I had known what they did.
The night I checked in with my friends, we were greeted at the train station along with a few others to be shuttled to the ryokan. It was pretty late and it had been a long rainy day sight seeing in Kyoto. The dirt on my shoes were testament to the amount of traveling I had been doing despite the less than ideal weather.
They greet you at the hotel and give you a pair of slippers to wear after you leave your shoes and belongings with them. The staff will then carry them to your rooms for you. Myself being of east asian origin, the food was nothing short of 'home' comfort food. The nostalgic taste of eastern cuisine gave me fond memories of the food that gran would make. Though sentiments aside, it is what it is - traditional japanese food. Not exactly catered to a the western palette, but do go with an open mind and try new things!
The hot spring itself is self-explanatory. After a long day of exploring and sight seeing, dipping in and relaxing is truly blissful. Nobody cares, and infact you won't care, that everybody is all naked in a pool. If you ask, everybody in the pool will suddenly claim that they are short sighted and cannot see anything in focus that is further than 30cm from their face.(I jest, but seriously, you won't care).
Upon leaving, we were given small gifts/souvenirs to commemorate your stay. But the one thing that really tugged at my heart strings after I left were my shoes. My shoes were clean. All traces of mud, footprint (my friend had stepped on me) and rain from my Kyoto sight seeing were gone! My laces never felt newer. The attention to detail, thought and the lengths that the staff at this ryokan go to is incredible!!
Please, when you do stay at this place, be good considerate guests. Because you will be very hard pressed to find finer hosts outside your own family than the staff here.
The night I checked in with my friends, we were greeted at the train station along with a few others to be shuttled to the ryokan. It was pretty late and it had been a long rainy day sight seeing in Kyoto. The dirt on my shoes were testament to the amount of traveling I had been doing despite the less than ideal weather.
They greet you at the hotel and give you a pair of slippers to wear after you leave your shoes and belongings with them. The staff will then carry them to your rooms for you. Myself being of east asian origin, the food was nothing short of 'home' comfort food. The nostalgic taste of eastern cuisine gave me fond memories of the food that gran would make. Though sentiments aside, it is what it is - traditional japanese food. Not exactly catered to a the western palette, but do go with an open mind and try new things!
The hot spring itself is self-explanatory. After a long day of exploring and sight seeing, dipping in and relaxing is truly blissful. Nobody cares, and infact you won't care, that everybody is all naked in a pool. If you ask, everybody in the pool will suddenly claim that they are short sighted and cannot see anything in focus that is further than 30cm from their face.(I jest, but seriously, you won't care).
Upon leaving, we were given small gifts/souvenirs to commemorate your stay. But the one thing that really tugged at my heart strings after I left were my shoes. My shoes were clean. All traces of mud, footprint (my friend had stepped on me) and rain from my Kyoto sight seeing were gone! My laces never felt newer. The attention to detail, thought and the lengths that the staff at this ryokan go to is incredible!!
Please, when you do stay at this place, be good considerate guests. Because you will be very hard pressed to find finer hosts outside your own family than the staff here.
Written October 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
olga y
Los Angeles, CA39 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
For those who want to experience an outdoor hot spa without staying in an expensive hotel this is an excellent opportunity. Located in the north-eastern corner of Kyoto, at the end of a small local electric train (Eizan) line (420 yen for a 30 min ride), this spa is part of an expensive traditional inn (ryokan), but it's open to visitors who want just to use the spa for 1,000 yen. (Thin towels can be bought at the ticket window in case you didn't bring one.) The women's half of the spa has instruction in English, which I advise to read and follow. (The main one is that you must wash up at the adjacent room before you submerge yourself in the communal spa pool.) Once you step outdoors and get into the pool, you can relax and enjoy the crystal clear water, the view of the garden planted around the pool (relatively modest but pleasant and maintained) and the mountains closing onto the valley at the bottom of which the spa is. I went there on a late afternoon, in time to catch the last sun gradually disappearing from the hill tops. The air was cold (it was about 10 degrees C) but once you make a few chilling steps between the wash-up room and the outdoor pool, the body gets to be well heated and the cold air on your face only feels refreshing. There were no more than 10 women soaking (some come some go, so the number fluctuates), some solo, other conversing, a multiracial bunch of different skin colors. The evident informedness of international visitors about this place at the far tip of Kyoto was surprising. The instructions didn't recommend more than 20 mins of soaking at one time, but I stayed in for 40 mins. It's a rare time when one can be one's self, stripped of all the trappings with which our clothes define us, completely relaxed, while surrounded by the wooded mountains and the sky. So unless the concept of communal nudity repels you, I would definitely recommend this experience. After the soak, visitors can have a Japanese meal at the hotel, sitting on tatami mats. There is a reasonable number of dishes to choose from, the prices are reasonable, and the food is good, but service is rather slow. A free shuttle bus is available to and from the onsen to the Kurama train station. There was a sign at the entrance that people with tattoos are not allowed in the spa. The reason is that in Japan tattoo is associated with yakuzas (mafia), and businesses try to stay clear of such organizations. I wondered if they would actually ask a foreigner woman with a small tattoo somewhere on her shin - clearly not a member of Japanese mafia - to leave the spa, but it's obviously simpler to have a uniform rule like that.
Written February 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MashiePotatoes
Singapore9 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
I thought we were lucky to find an outdoor onsen (rotemburo) that was in nature and not facing concrete buildings. I thought that was such a unique experience. Also note that Kurama is the home of the Tengu, which was a pleasant surprise upon arriving at the station. We paid for the JPY1000 entry, so just the onsen without a stay and without meals.
My friend and I went in the evening so it was quite dark already. It was a pity because we didn't really get to see the mountains and trees around us which was really what we wanted. So note if you want to see around you, go before 5pm before it gets dark in winter! It was still really to have the balance of cold air and the warm bath.
Just to confirm, you do have to go in naked but you can get a small face towel to block your privates if you so wish (I have seen a few people do this while walking around or when getting into the bath). You can put the towel on top of your head or by the side of the bath when you are in. Honestly, this was not a problem at all and the whole getting naked thing is overhyped - no one really cares.
Soap and shampoo are provided, as is a hairdryer and lockers for your stuff. You can RENT bath towels for JPY400 per person and a face towel for JPY200 (so it is advisable to bring one if you wish to keep your cost lower) but you get to keep the face towel which has some Kurama onsen designs on it (a cute souvenir). Thankfully the machine gives change for coins so you don't have to worry too much about bringing coins.
The bath may get busy because it isn't too big but after a while you get used to the idea that there are many people in the bath. If you have a companion with you, you can chat with them. Note that this is a gender-segregated rotemburo so females are split from the males - so if you are a heterosexual couple, you will have to enjoy the bath separately.
The facilities were clean and the place was easy to find (we walked from the station because the minivan from the station was full already). It is about a 10 min walk.
Overall, I think the selling point was going to an outdoor rotemburo in the mountains that is very accessible from central Kyoto. Overall, a very good experience and I would like to go back.
My friend and I went in the evening so it was quite dark already. It was a pity because we didn't really get to see the mountains and trees around us which was really what we wanted. So note if you want to see around you, go before 5pm before it gets dark in winter! It was still really to have the balance of cold air and the warm bath.
Just to confirm, you do have to go in naked but you can get a small face towel to block your privates if you so wish (I have seen a few people do this while walking around or when getting into the bath). You can put the towel on top of your head or by the side of the bath when you are in. Honestly, this was not a problem at all and the whole getting naked thing is overhyped - no one really cares.
Soap and shampoo are provided, as is a hairdryer and lockers for your stuff. You can RENT bath towels for JPY400 per person and a face towel for JPY200 (so it is advisable to bring one if you wish to keep your cost lower) but you get to keep the face towel which has some Kurama onsen designs on it (a cute souvenir). Thankfully the machine gives change for coins so you don't have to worry too much about bringing coins.
The bath may get busy because it isn't too big but after a while you get used to the idea that there are many people in the bath. If you have a companion with you, you can chat with them. Note that this is a gender-segregated rotemburo so females are split from the males - so if you are a heterosexual couple, you will have to enjoy the bath separately.
The facilities were clean and the place was easy to find (we walked from the station because the minivan from the station was full already). It is about a 10 min walk.
Overall, I think the selling point was going to an outdoor rotemburo in the mountains that is very accessible from central Kyoto. Overall, a very good experience and I would like to go back.
Written February 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KATbKA
Minneapolis, MN21 contributions
Kurama Onsen was recommended to me by my Japanese coworker, who had stayed at onsens and favored the culture of Japanese baths. Not knowing what to expect, my husband and I booked a two-nights stay at Kurama Onsen and it turned out to be the highlight of our trip to Japan.
Trip to Kurama is an easy 30-minute train ride from Kyoto. Kurama, as I recall, is the last stop on the train - you can not miss it, and can enjoy the trip gazing out of the window.
Kurama Onsen has a shuttle that picks you up from the station, but we preferred walking. It is pleasant a 15-20 minute walk from the station, slightly uphill.
Once we reached the onsen, we were greeted by the receptionist, who took us to our room. For our arrival, the onsen hired an English-speaking translator, who was kind enough to answer any of our questions. For the next two days the staff made everything possible to cater to our needs, while giving us our privacy. The staff spoke little English, but we can’t complaint, they really made an effort to communicate with us.
The hot spring baths at Kurama Onsen are out of this world – calm, spacious, with fantastic views of the mountains. As guests of the onsen, we had access to the baths until very late, and went at night, to avoid crowds. Most of the time I had the baths all to myself.
There are beer vending machines at the entrance to the hotel, and we enjoyed cold beer after taking the baths.
The menu at the onsen is very well thought through, and is incredibly delicious. The meals are included in your stay. For the first time in our lives we ate fresh rice, picked that same year. The snacks left for us in the afternoon were delicious, although we really had no clue, what they were made with. Breakfast is a feast, just don’t expect eggs and bacon – all meals are Japanese. Dinner is a many-coursed meal, and is a fantastic event. It is served in your room at a certain time. The table is set up, and every course is brought in separately. After the dinner staff makes your beds – again, Japanese style mattresses rolled out on the floor. Unusual, but very comfortable.
In the afternoon we climbed Mount Kurama. It is known to be a birthplace of Reiki, a Japanese form of alternative healing. When you enter the mountain, you can get a trail map, but even without a map it is virtually impossible to get lost. There are multiple shrines and places to rest on the way. We climbed over the mountain, and took the train back to Kurama.
We had a fantastic time, and are glad we picked Kurama Onsen out of many other onsens in the area.
Trip to Kurama is an easy 30-minute train ride from Kyoto. Kurama, as I recall, is the last stop on the train - you can not miss it, and can enjoy the trip gazing out of the window.
Kurama Onsen has a shuttle that picks you up from the station, but we preferred walking. It is pleasant a 15-20 minute walk from the station, slightly uphill.
Once we reached the onsen, we were greeted by the receptionist, who took us to our room. For our arrival, the onsen hired an English-speaking translator, who was kind enough to answer any of our questions. For the next two days the staff made everything possible to cater to our needs, while giving us our privacy. The staff spoke little English, but we can’t complaint, they really made an effort to communicate with us.
The hot spring baths at Kurama Onsen are out of this world – calm, spacious, with fantastic views of the mountains. As guests of the onsen, we had access to the baths until very late, and went at night, to avoid crowds. Most of the time I had the baths all to myself.
There are beer vending machines at the entrance to the hotel, and we enjoyed cold beer after taking the baths.
The menu at the onsen is very well thought through, and is incredibly delicious. The meals are included in your stay. For the first time in our lives we ate fresh rice, picked that same year. The snacks left for us in the afternoon were delicious, although we really had no clue, what they were made with. Breakfast is a feast, just don’t expect eggs and bacon – all meals are Japanese. Dinner is a many-coursed meal, and is a fantastic event. It is served in your room at a certain time. The table is set up, and every course is brought in separately. After the dinner staff makes your beds – again, Japanese style mattresses rolled out on the floor. Unusual, but very comfortable.
In the afternoon we climbed Mount Kurama. It is known to be a birthplace of Reiki, a Japanese form of alternative healing. When you enter the mountain, you can get a trail map, but even without a map it is virtually impossible to get lost. There are multiple shrines and places to rest on the way. We climbed over the mountain, and took the train back to Kurama.
We had a fantastic time, and are glad we picked Kurama Onsen out of many other onsens in the area.
Written July 20, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TimTig
San Ramon, CA30 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
What you see above is ALL you get. That picture with the pool and red tree is it.
The pool is home-swimming-pool size (but 1 foot deep) and there's nothing else there. You decide if sitting in hot shallow water and looking at that nice-but-nothing-so-special view is worth a trip. In my opinion, it's not worth a trip from Kyoto. If you're already there, okay. The onsen itself (shower, tub) is very basic, on par with a typical hotel bath. We stayed in the pool pictured for about 10 minutes. There are no massage etc options available.
To get a towel, it seemed (I could be wrong given my lack of Japanese) you had to buy the full indoor/outdoor package for 2500 which also included a robe and locker, vs just 1000 for just the outdoor. You don't need the indoor as it's very basic (2 star), so bring a towel and save 1500 yen minus the 100 yen coin for locker.
All that said, the people are very nice -- as they are everywhere in Japan. There is a small restaurant with average sit-on-the-floor food.
The pool is home-swimming-pool size (but 1 foot deep) and there's nothing else there. You decide if sitting in hot shallow water and looking at that nice-but-nothing-so-special view is worth a trip. In my opinion, it's not worth a trip from Kyoto. If you're already there, okay. The onsen itself (shower, tub) is very basic, on par with a typical hotel bath. We stayed in the pool pictured for about 10 minutes. There are no massage etc options available.
To get a towel, it seemed (I could be wrong given my lack of Japanese) you had to buy the full indoor/outdoor package for 2500 which also included a robe and locker, vs just 1000 for just the outdoor. You don't need the indoor as it's very basic (2 star), so bring a towel and save 1500 yen minus the 100 yen coin for locker.
All that said, the people are very nice -- as they are everywhere in Japan. There is a small restaurant with average sit-on-the-floor food.
Written April 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray68Chan
4 contributions
Feb 2011
We made a day trip to Kurama Onsen from kyoto station, started the day at 9am reached kurama station after 1.5hrs, the Eisan railway offer superb senic views of the valley and village especially towards the last few stations before reaching.
we skipped the free shuttle bus service and walked in from the station which is highly recommended if the sky's clear. Chanced upon Yuki Shrine upon the way and was equally fantastic. the walk took 15mins, the onsen is located at the end of the village.
The onsen's decor is simple and welcoming, onsen staff are pleasant and very helpful. We took the package deal of 4800yen for use of Indoor & outdoor onsen with a Set meal of the Season.
Indoor onsen inculdes a suana, not the prettiest but very comfortable to use has a cold pool, jaccuzi pool and a normal one. Outdoor Onsen is seperated from the main building htherefore you will need to change to your yukata and walk to the outdoor onsen. View from the outdoor onsen is nice as its facing the mountain.
After bathing, we proceeded to take our meals, i would rate the food at 4* out of 5.
one thing to know is that i got to use free wi-fi at the lounge area
took the onsen shuttle bus back to the station after a few more baths which is nice as it is just in time with the sun setting. Beautiful....
After days of travelling, walking, sight seeing and shopping, my family and i were really glad and thankful to have made the trip out to kurama onsen. Pity that we did not visit the temple in mount kurama which we will surely do the next time we visit kyoto.
we skipped the free shuttle bus service and walked in from the station which is highly recommended if the sky's clear. Chanced upon Yuki Shrine upon the way and was equally fantastic. the walk took 15mins, the onsen is located at the end of the village.
The onsen's decor is simple and welcoming, onsen staff are pleasant and very helpful. We took the package deal of 4800yen for use of Indoor & outdoor onsen with a Set meal of the Season.
Indoor onsen inculdes a suana, not the prettiest but very comfortable to use has a cold pool, jaccuzi pool and a normal one. Outdoor Onsen is seperated from the main building htherefore you will need to change to your yukata and walk to the outdoor onsen. View from the outdoor onsen is nice as its facing the mountain.
After bathing, we proceeded to take our meals, i would rate the food at 4* out of 5.
one thing to know is that i got to use free wi-fi at the lounge area
took the onsen shuttle bus back to the station after a few more baths which is nice as it is just in time with the sun setting. Beautiful....
After days of travelling, walking, sight seeing and shopping, my family and i were really glad and thankful to have made the trip out to kurama onsen. Pity that we did not visit the temple in mount kurama which we will surely do the next time we visit kyoto.
Written February 11, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natalia F
West Hollywood, California, United States5 contributions
Jun 2018
Got here late in the evening as a solo traveler. Stayed for a few hours and had a meal and then left. Wish I could’ve stayed overnight! Yes it’s very simple and it doesn’t look like much at first but the Hot Spring outdoor tub was definitely healing and those who said that it was disappointing clearly didn’t see the view I saw from the tub and completely missed the point.
Written June 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
I am tattooed, would this prevent me from using the pool or is it just public bathing that doesn't like tattoos?
Written December 25, 2019
Hi, as my schedule is pretty packed up till evening time, will you recommend if I visit the onsen after dinner? Will there be still be shuttle services after the onsen experience?
Also, what is the fastest way to get to Kurama Onsen from either Kinkakuji or Nara in the evening around 5pm?
Written September 16, 2019
Catch the Eizan line from Demachiyanagi station. It’s about a 30 min ride. Don’t eat and have a full stomach too close to getting in to the onsen.
Written November 4, 2019
Are you able to wear a towel in the onsen or must you be fully nude?
Written August 29, 2019
You can use the towel for bathing before entering the onsen and it seems common to use the towel for modesty as you walk around the onsen. It is usual to be nude once in the onsen pool
Written January 2, 2020
I vê got a breast surgery could I go to the onsen with a special bath clothes?
Written June 7, 2019
1. My mom has trouble with walking. Is there much hiking/walking needed around the onsen area from the entrance?
2. Does this place take credit card (visa)? Or strictly cash only?
Thank you!
Written March 30, 2019
Hey,
1. I would say no - From the indoor to the outdoor onsen its about 30 m max, There up steps up to the outside onsen.
- its not an etablish path and you have to walk across the car park which is gravel.
- If you want outdoor only you can just pay at the outdoor Onsen.
- When your inside the changing room is about 20m by 5m and its like 2m from the changing room to the bath.
Its really small.
2. I paid with cash, everyone else I saw was paying with cash and I did not see a card machine.
As a recommendation - watch out for hornets and bugs as there are a few and I got stung by a hornet. The staff got the sting out and gave me ice for the swelling and I had bug bite stuff in my bag that helped.
Any other questions let me know.
Written March 30, 2019
Can my son come into the women’s side with me? He is 10. Or would be made to go by himself to the male bath?
Written March 21, 2019
Hi,
I saw mothers with their daughters but no sons with their mothers - based on other onsens I went to I think at 10 he would have to go to the mens as the boys I saw in there where not older then about 6.
Maybe see if they have a contact email and ask?
Written March 30, 2019
Yes, i have one full arm, one half arm, both legs and chest tattooed and I was there no problem
Written May 16, 2019
Ciao a tutti, ho letto che è possibile pernottare nelle stanze della struttura ma non ho capito se i bagni sono condivisi. Qualcuno che ha soggiornato in questo ryokan sa darmi qualche indicazione? Grazie!
Written December 30, 2018
Le terme sono divise uomini e donne (come nella maggior parte delle terme giapponesi, ma non la totalità)
Written August 7, 2019
Buongiorno, ho letto che in alcuni bagni non sono ammesse le persone che hanno un tatuaggio. Qui l’accesso è consentito?
Written December 3, 2018
Penso proprio di no perché fa parte proprio della cultura giapponese . Chi ha tatuaggi non può entrare
Written August 24, 2019
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