Mt Kurama is the mountain in Japan where Mikao Usui meditated for 21 days, and on the 21st day received the Reiki ability. While the vast majority of Japanese have never heard of Mikao Usui, many people travel to Mt. Kurama every year to ask the blessing of it's shrines. Mt. Kurama is about a 20 minute train ride from the old capital of Kyoto.

What is special about the energy of this mountain?

My experience on Kurama

Mt Kurama is very special. It has a quality of energy that creeps up on you. A place whose energy becomes stronger as you work with it. There is a feeling of serenity and activity, somewhat like the energy of Karuna Reiki™.

I was on Mt. Kurama for a day in spring of 2001, and fell in love with the mountain and its energy. In Fall of 2001, I returned for a longer visit, and over the course of my stay, visited Mt Kurama 22 times as my Reiki pilgrimage. I would be happy to show you the mountain in detail if you would like to see it for yourself, see my Classes in amazing places for details.

From Reiki: The Healing Touch by William Rand

Mt. Kurama has wonderful energy! ... Mt Kurama is truly a "power spot" and the energy that flows is very uplifting, yet calming. There is a feeling of contentment and peace. We both (meaning William and Laurelle) were aware of many helpful spirits from whom we received inspiration and guidance.

Mrs. Takata told a story of Dr Usui's experience receiving Reiki that we have been unable to verify through the Japanese material, or through historical methods. (see www.reiki.org) However, when on Mt Kurama, the story seemed unexpectedly believable.
Mt. Kurama

In Hawayo Takata's Story, Mrs. Takata says "He (Usui) decided to go to a mountain a few miles outside Kyoto to a mountain considered sacred by the monks" This accords well with the fact that Mt. Kurama is covered with shrines.

Hawayo story of the first three miracles of Reiki also becomes more believable once one has been to Mt. Kurama.
Steep enough to stub your toe

After Usui had received the Reiki energy (more on that story below), he is said to have excitedly run down the mountain and badly stubbed his toe. He grabbed his toe, and allowed Reiki to flow, and his toe was healed. This was the first Reiki miracle.

Mt Kurama is quite Steep! It is easy to imagine excitedly running down the mountain after 21 days of meditation, getting a little carried away, and at very least stubbing your toe.
Did Usui eat here?

Second, there is a village of Kurama. There is no 'inn' in the village now, but there are several eating establishments, one of which might well have been an inn during Dr. Usui's time. This village is in about the right place to have been a convenient stopping point for someone who had been meditating on the mountain to stop for breakfast.