Places in Japan: Kiyomizu-dera Temple

BASIC INFORMATION

• Name: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Where: Kyoto, Japan
• Hours: 06:00AM – 06:00PM
• Cost: Free
• More Information: Official website

Directions

For those who take the train to JR Kyoto Station, Kiyomizu-dera can be accessed by using bus #206 to Kitaoji bus terminal or the #100 to Ginkaku-ji temple.  Get off at the Gojozaka bus stop and then walk about 10-minutes to Kiyomizu-dera temple.  For those that want to take the subway, the nearest station is Kiyomizu Gojo Station on the Keihan line.  From the station it is a 25-minute walk to the temple.  I drove to Kyoto from Tokyo using the ETC highway.  When I reached Kyoto I found it pretty easy to drive around the city streets and get around.

Parking

Parking for Kiyomizudera is extremely challenging because the temple does not have its own parking lot and the narrow roads that lead to it have few to no parking.

If trying to find a place to park it is likely you will need to find a pay lot that is a long walk from the temple, so just be ready for that eventuality.  I stayed in a hotel which was about a 15 minute walk to Kiyomizudera and the hotel had parking there for my van.  Not all hotels have parking so make sure before booking a hotel you confirm they have parking available.

Narrative

The ancient Japanese capitol city of Kyoto is packed with many amazing temples.  However, the one that is arguably the most popular is Kiyomizu-dera temple.  Besides being extremely scenic the temple was also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.  Kiyomizu-dera is located in the hills east of Kyoto which means visitors must complete a steady uphill hike through narrow Kyoto streets of the Higashiyama district to reach the entrance of the temple:

The entrance to Kiyomizu-dera temple is capped with the Nio-mon gate.  This gate dates to around 1500 and was refurbished back in 2000:

Near the temple entrance there is a map that gives visitors an idea of just how big the Kiyomizu-dera temple complex is:

Near the entrance gate there is another gate that is sealed off from walking under it called the Sai-mon gate which dates back to 1633:

In front of this gate there was a really cool statue of multiple dragons to checkout:

Here is a view of the back side of the Sai-mon gate:

The reason the gate was sealed off from people walking under it was to protect the photographs people could take looking through the gate of Kyoto:

I next walked over to take a look at an impressive three storied pagoda that rises over the main temple complex.  This pagoda is 31 meter high and one of the tallest in Japan.  Like many other buildings at Kiyomizu-dera it was built back in 1633:

As I walked around the temple’s grounds I found that the many people dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos really added to the aesthetic of this beautiful temple:

I then walked over to the main temple hall called the “hondo”.  This temple hall was built in 1633 under the orders of the shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu.  This building is famous for its wooden stage that rises 13 meters above the ground below it.  The main temple hall almost looks like a boat sailing on a sea of trees:

The most amazing thing about the temple is that it was built with no nails.  Despite having no nails the temple and its stage continues to be strong enough to support the thousands of visitors the temple sees each day.  From the stage there are nice views looking back towards Kyoto:

There was also a nice view looking down at the buildings and the Otowa Waterfall down below:

Inside the main temple hall is a statue of the eleven-headed thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva.  There was a long, line and a lot of people praying so I did not go to the temple’s main shrine.  However, I did notice this black Buddha figure which was the first time I have seen one that looks like this:

From the main temple I next walked over to the Okuno-in hall.  This building was built at the same time as the main temple hall in 1633.  Like the main temple hall it also has a stage that sticks out above the hillside below it that was packed with visitors:

Here is a panorama picture of Okuno-in hall and the surrounding hillside:

As I walked over to Okuno-in hall I passed by this small shrine with dozens of Buddhas with red hats and bibs. These statues can be seen throughout Japan and are believed to be guardian deities for children.  The red hats and bibs are supposed to help keep the children warm.  Besides promoting the healthy growth of children, the statues are also used during memorials of stillborn or miscarried children:

Behind Okuno-in hall I found this small statue where visitors were pouring water over its head:

Unlike the main temple hall, I was able to easily get a view of the main shrine inside of Okuno-in hall where a golden Buddha was seated:

From the Okuno-in hall I followed a path that lead to a pagoda isolated from the rest of the temple complex.  Here is the view from the path looking backs towards the large pagoda near the main temple hall:

After a short walk I reached the three storied Koyasu Pagoda and found no one else there.  The main temple complex is swamped with visitors, but this short walk to the Koyasu Pagoda led to a very peaceful place.  Legend has it that a visit to this pagoda is supposed to promote safe child birth:

From the pagoda there is a great view looking back towards the main temple complex where I could see the hordes of visitors on the famous balcony of the main temple hall:

After spending some time taking in the views and enjoying the peace and quiet, I next walked back towards the base of the main temple hall.  During the Edo period there was a belief that if someone jumped off the stage and survived the 13 meter drop their wish would come true.  Historical records show that 234 people have jumped from this stage and 85% of them survived.  This practice was ended in 1872:

Adjacent to the base of the main temple hall is the Otowa Waterfall which was packed with tourists:

This waterfall has its waters divided into three different streams and visitors use cups on long poles to drink from each of the streams.  The first stream is supposed to promote a long life, the second stream brings success at school, and the third stream gives you a good love life.  However, legend says that if you drink from multiple streams this makes you greedy.  I did not drink any of the water because the line was extremely long and it had started to heavily rain:

With the heavy rain now falling I decided to head back to my hotel.  I first passed through a beautiful garden before exiting the temple grounds and back onto the streets of Kyoto:

Conclusion

Kiyomizu-dera temple for good reason is popular with tourists visiting Kyoto.  The temple is extremely beautiful with an interesting history to explore.  I recommend visiting early to avoid the worst of the crowds because this temple can get very busy.  Despite the crowds this temple should be a must see destination for anyone visiting Kyoto.