What makes it 63% Kids-Friendly: Children like floating fortune papers and drawing ema, and river sounds add fun, but steep uneven stairs, no stroller access, and limited child toilets make supervision and stamina essential.
Why 1-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Children can explore the shrine rituals and riverside area without getting overtired.
Water Fortune Slip:
Dip a blank paper in the sacred basin to reveal hidden characters.
Tip: Let kids scan the QR code for English translations and explain the fortune together.
Child Growth Amulet:
Purchase a small omamori for your child’s health and safety.
Tip: Children can carry it in their pocket as a daily good-luck charm.
Ema Votive Plaque:
Write wishes on wooden plaques and hang them on shrine racks.
Tip: Provide colored markers and let kids decorate their ema designs.
Riverside Café Break:
Relax on wooden platforms over the Kibune River.
Tip: Book seats in advance and bring swimsuits for supervised toe-dipping.
Riverbank Picnic & Play:
Enjoy snacks by the water and watch fish in the shallow stream.
Tip: Pack bentō or snacks and a small towel for wet toes.

Olive
visited during tanabata festival! such a wonderful place. wrote my wishes down and hung it up. the shrine has a peaceful aura and is the only place in Japan where u can get your fortune read through a water-based approach!
Eric Meulien
Beautiful mountain hike. Can be hot in summer past 9am. River restaurants open at 11am. The Kifune shrine is divided in several small shrines along the way. Free access. About 1h walk from the station. Most food places take cash only.
Sayuti Nurdin
Kifune Shrine in Kyoto, from June to July, offers a truly immersive experience in nature's tranquility. The vibrant summer greenery surrounding the shrine creates a striking contrast with the iconic red lanterns lining the stone steps, resulting in a visually captivating and spiritually uplifting atmosphere. Revered by many as a power spot, Kifune Shrine is believed to emanate positive energy fro...
Phan Hanh
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A hidden gem in Kyoto – my favorite spot of the entire trip! Kifune Shrine is hands down the most memorable and meaningful place I visited during my winter trip to Kyoto. Nestled halfway up a mountain and surrounded by dense forest, the shrine offers an incredibly fresh and peaceful atmosphere that feels far removed from the busy tourist sites in central Kyoto. Getting there isn’t the easi...
Tara Constant
I really love this shrine! The entire place is surrounded by nature. The weather was perfect on the day we visited. The shrine is divided into several sections, and the farthest one requires a bit of a walk to reach. However, there are restrooms and plenty of drink vending machines along the way (with lots of unique Japanese-style beverages! A friendly warning though… some of them are *very* swee...
May–Sept opens riverside platforms for cool dining. Autumn brings colorful leaves along lantern-lit paths. Winter has fewer crowds and crisp mountain air.
Explore These Activities
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Water Fortune Slip (4 x ¥200) | JPY 800 |
| Child Growth Amulet (2 x ¥500) | JPY 1,000 |
| Ema Plaque (2 x ¥700) | JPY 1,400 |
| Riverside Café (4 x ¥1,000) | JPY 4,000 |
| Total Estimated | JPY 7,200 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: 180 Kuramakibunechō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112, Japan
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Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+81 75-741-201610 BEST nearby Activities
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