【Teacher Li Youqun】Strolling through Kuramae-Kido in Kyoto, Enjoying a Rare Moment of Leisure

Originally fromLi Youqun

It’s late at night. Today, let me take you for a walk around Kuramae-Kido.

To visit the Kurama Shrine (known as the backyard of Kyoto), you must get off at the station closest to the shrine—Kuramae-Kido is the gateway to this beautiful hidden part of Kyoto.

The sound of the electric train rumbling along the tracks has a unique charm. As we approached Kuramae-Kido, the greenery on both sides of the windows formed a canopy, like passing through a tunnel of leaves. Occasionally, sunlight filtered through the branches, casting a fragrant and refreshing glow.

After exiting the station, don’t rush to catch a bus to the shrine. I chose to stroll leisurely, taking my time to quietly enjoy the rare sight of mountains blanketed in green and bathed in sunlight.

Opened in 1929, Kuramae-Kido Station, with nearly 90 years of history, is an unmanned single-track, single-platform station. Staff only appear during weekends or peak tourist seasons.

Exiting the ticket gate (wicket) and descending the stone steps, there is a modest convenience store and a rarely used automated ticket machine. The exit isn’t clearly marked, but once you find it, you’ll be greeted by the rich greenery and fragrant air. Breathe it in, and you’ll feel the essence of summer in Kyoto.

Like Taipei, Kyoto is a basin city with hot summers. Yet, standing at Kuramae-Kido and closing your eyes to feel the sunlight is warm, sometimes accompanied by a cool breeze. The real Kyoto stroll begins here.

On the way back from the shrine to Kuramae-Kido Station, it was already evening. The ticket gates at the entrance were covered with plastic sheeting—I thought the last train had already passed, but it turned out they were just doing early maintenance inside the station. Soon after, the rhythmic rumble of the train bringing us back to central Kyoto approached slowly from the distance. Standing on the platform and looking back at the covered ticket gate, it felt like a romantic moment where you can come and go as you please without paying. It’s a rare sense of spontaneity in Kyoto, perhaps another form of its refined charm.

Li Youqun / International Fashion Director
A leading figure in the Chinese fashion circle, holding the record for most fashion magazine founding editorships. Active in the entertainment industry, he is a designated collaboration teacher for fashion programs such as “Women’s Greatest” and a styling expert for international brands and top celebrities. Focusing on fashion, he is the only figure in China representing multiple roles: editor-in-chief, fashion director, stylist, and author.
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