Kyoto: Kiyomizu Dera

8:05 PM


Famous for it’s platform, the Kiyomizu Dera is a must see Buddhist temple in Kyoto especially in Spring and Autumn. There is special night time viewing with illumination in the Spring, Summer, and Autumn. The Special Night Viewing for this fall starts at 5:30 – 9:00 PM on the 12th of November to 4th of December.

Belfry
You’ll climb several stairs to reach the main hall and Kiyomizu Stage. First you’ll enter through the 2 storey main gate called Nio-mon. On the right side of the 2nd stairs is the Sai-Mon or west gate. While climbing the 2nd stairs, the belfry will be on your left. You will then reach a flat area where you’ll find the building that has Shinto and Budhhist deities for matchmaking and for safe delivery and child rearing. A 3 storey Pagoda will be on your right. The ticket booth for entry to the main hall will be on the right side near a plum tree.
The Kiyomizu Dera was  built in 778AD. It enshrines the god of mercy, Kannon in the Main hall and Daizuihi Bodhisavatta in the Zui-Gu Hall. The current structures were built in 1633 . The Hon-do Main Hall which features the Kiyomuzu Stage was built using traditional Japanese construction methods without a single nail. The stage is about 4-storey high or 13 meters and is supported by 400 year old Zelkova trees. 


To get a good picture of the main hall you can take it from the Oku-no hall. You’ll have to exit the main hall then walk to the right to reach it. To go to the Otawa waterfalls and to see the main hall from the ground, take the stairs going down as you exit the main hall. Keep your ticket on you if you plan to enter in and out of the Hon-do or main hall. You can take the sloped walkway on the way back. It’s can be quite tiring but worth the view on the top.







The temple is on the steep cliff of Mt. Otawa and features the Otawa No Taki or the Otawa waterfalls whose pureness of water is belived to be good for purification and  for wishes. 

The main feature is a fountain that has 3 streams: one for long life, success in school, and luck in love. You’ll have to drink from just one as it is considered unlucky to drink from all. But according to their website, visitors catch each streams of water to pray for purification and for your wishes to be granted. 



There are many stores for food and souvenirs as you approach the main entry to the temple grounds. 

Emas & the Pagoda


There is a path for those on wheelchairs or with strollers you can use. Their website has the route map. 

I’m looking forward to seeing the Kiyomizu Dera next month against the fall foliage. These photos were taken late spring of this year. 

How to get there: From Kiyomizu Gojo Station, it will take you about 25-30 minutes of walking. Half of which is on the main road, and the latter half an uphill walk. You can also take the bus from JR Kyoto Station  Get on No.206 bus bound for Kitaoji bus terminal via Higasihama-dori or No.100 bound for Ginkaku-ji via Kiyomizu-dera Gion. Get off at Gojozaka stop and walk uphill for 10 minutes.

Map of Temple Grounds with English Names
(located after exiting the Main Hall near the stairs going down) 




Website:KIYOMIZU DERA
Entrance Fee: Y300 
Nearest Train Station: Kiyomizu- Gojo Station, Exit 4 walk up the main road, then cross the intersection to a smaller road uphill. Then continue walking uphill until you reach the stores before the temple.  
City Bus: From JR Kyoto Station: Get on No.206 bus bound for Kitaoji bus terminal via Higasihama-dori or No.100 bound for Ginkaku-ji via Kiyomizu-dera Gion. Get off at Gojozaka stop and walk east 10 minutes.
Hours of Operation: 6:00 AM — 5:30 PM 
Spring & Autumn Illumination: 5:30 PM — 9:00 PM





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