Private multi-day tour · Multi-day from Tokyo
From Tokyo: 3-Day Kurama Fire Festival Customizable Tour
See men carry giant pine torches through Kurama village at night on 22 October, and walk the forest trail between Kurama-dera and Kibune.
Private · your group only◆3 days◆Up to 6 guests◆Pickup included
Road-day snapshot
This is your private tour, so the route is flexible: tell us if you want to skip a stop, stay longer somewhere or add a place nearby.
The experience
A private journey, thoughtfully paced
The Kurama no Hi Matsuri, or Kurama Fire Festival, is held each year on 22 October in Kurama, a mountain village north of Kyoto. It is one of the most famous fire festivals in Japan.
From the early evening, local people light torches in front of their houses. Children carry small torches, and men carry very large pine torches through the narrow street, calling out a chant. The torches gather at the steps of Yuki Shrine. Later, two portable shrines come down the steps. The festival goes on late into the night.
Earlier in the day you visit Kibune Shrine, with its stone steps lined with red lanterns, and walk the cedar forest trail over Mount Kurama to Kurama-dera temple. The trail has roots and steps and takes about one and a half hours.
The village is small and very crowded on this night. Local organisers set the viewing rules each year, and spectator areas can be limited. Your guide follows these rules and keeps your group safe.
This is a date-fixed product. Day 2 is always 22 October.
This is a private tour. Only your group. One van, 1 to 6 people, never shared. Your driver-guide speaks English, and also Hindi and Urdu.
If the Kurama Fire Festival, or spectator access to Kurama village is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Fushimi Inari Shrine at night, and walk Gion and the Shirakawa canal with your guide.
DAY 1 (21 October) Pickup at your Tokyo hotel and drive to Kyoto (about 6 to 7 hours with breaks).
DAY 2 (22 October) Kibune Shrine, the forest trail to Kurama-dera, then the Kurama Fire Festival in the evening. Late return to your Kyoto hotel.
DAY 3 Late morning start and drive back to your Tokyo hotel (about 6 to 7 hours with breaks).
If heavy rain closes the forest trail on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed.
Choose with confidence
Is this the right journey for your group?
Excellent fit if
- See giant pine torches carried through Kurama at night
- Watch the torches gather at the steps of Yuki Shrine
- Walk the lantern-lined steps of Kibune Shrine
- Hike the cedar forest trail to Kurama-dera temple
- Experience a true local fire festival in a mountain village
Said plainly
Dates: 22 October each year. The tour starts on 21 October. Viewing rules are set by local organisers each year, and spectator areas may be limited or close early because of crowds. Expect to stand for a long time. If the Kurama Fire Festival, or spectator access to Kurama village is closed or cancelled on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead visit Fushimi Inari Shrine at night, and walk Gion and the Shirakawa canal with your guide. The forest trail is closed in heavy rain. If heavy rain closes the forest trail on your date, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed. If you prefer, we can instead drive to Kurama by road. We then drive between Kibune and Kurama.
Your day
Suggested itinerary
Times are approximate. Your driver-guide adjusts the order for traffic, weather, opening hours and the best light.
See giant pine torches carried through Kurama at night
Watch the torches gather at the steps of Yuki Shrine
Walk the lantern-lined steps of Kibune Shrine
Hike the cedar forest trail to Kurama-dera temple
Experience a true local fire festival in a mountain village
What is covered
What you see is what you pay
Ours — included
- Private van and English-speaking driver-guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Tokyo
- All parking, fuel and road tolls
- Kurama-dera temple entry
- Kibune to Kurama forest trail entry
Yours — paid on the day
- Hotel accommodation (you book your own hotel in Kyoto)
- Meals and drinks unless listed as included
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
- Optional food at local stalls
Good to know
Before you book
Languages
English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
Pickup
Pickup and drop-off at your Tokyo hotel or accommodation (23 wards).
Group and vehicle
Private for up to 6 guests. Enter adults, children, infants and child seats separately at booking.
Dietary and mobility needs
Halal, vegetarian, allergy, walking or other practical requests go in your booking notes and are planned before the day.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can we change the route on the day?
Yes. It is a private tour in our own van, so your driver-guide can skip, extend or add stops where time allows.
Is the price per person?
No. The price is for your whole private group of up to 6 people, including the van, fuel, tolls, parking and your driver-guide.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for an automatic full refund to the original payment method. Within 24 hours, contact us directly so we can help. If a typhoon or official weather warning stops the trip, we offer a new date or a full refund. For a GetYourGuide booking, the terms shown on that booking apply.
Somewhere else in mind?
Any destination in Japan
If this route is not exactly what you need, tell us the destination, dates and group. We confirm the plan and the exact price before any payment is taken.
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From¥235,000
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