Kifune Jinja Shrine is a Shinto Shrine in the forests north of Kyoto city. The area it is located in is called Kibune, a different pronunciation of Kifune written with the same Sino-Japanese characters, and is accessible from Kyoto by train. Kifune Jinja Shrine is famous as a shrine that can bring good fortune to couples and people seeking love. It is a particularly popular destination during Tanabata or the Lover's Festival in summer. During this festival, people write down their wishes on small paper slips and attach them to designated trees and branches. The Kibune area also features many traditional Japanese restaurants, a number of which are classy and expensive. Some of them, called kawadoko, are built over a river and only open during the summer months. For outdoor fans, a hike up the mountain to Kurama is highly recommended. The trail goes up the mountain to Kuramadera Temple and then down to Kurama town. After the hike, you can also enjoy the hot spring in Kurama, called Kurama Onsen.

Photograph provided by Yasuhiro Imamiya