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📍Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera was built in 778 as a temple destroyed to the Northern Dharma Sect and is dedicated to Senju Kannon, which was developed a World Heritage Site in 1994 along with Rokuon-ji ( Kinkaku-ji) as part of the Ancient Kyoto Site. When visiting the temple, please note that only cash is accepted for temple tickets and nearby shops, so it is important to prepare in advance. In addition, there are a number of kimono rental shops in the neighborhood, many visitors to enjoy the beauty of the temple in kimono. We are no exception. For more information on Kimono Rentals, please see (coming soon). This article will invite you to them:

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• The history of Kiyomizu-dera
• The Main Hall and Cultural Artefact of Kiyomizu-dera
• Kiyomizu-dera Goshuin
• How to get to Kiyomizu-dera, Ticket Prices and Opening Hours

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The history of Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is the oldest temple in Kyoto, founded by Kojima-dera monk Enjin in the Nara period. Over time, Kiyomizu-dera Temple received the attention of successive emperors and shoguns, and was expanded and repaired many times. However, it has been severely damaged by many years of war and disasters. In 1633, Tokugawa Iemitsu ordered the reconstruction of Kiyomizu Temple to once again reach the scale of its heyday. The current form of the building actually looks like it was after extensive restoration in 1633.

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Passing through the temple gate and entering Kiyomizu-dera Temple, you can overlook the cityscape of Higashiyama District. As we go deeper and further away from the hustle and bustle of the city, we will enter a classical landscape surrounded by maple leaves.

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Kiyomizu-dera Temple's main hall and relics

The main hall (main hall) of Kiyomizu-dera Temple stands in a suspended architectural style and is supported by 139 columns. There is no need to use a single nail at all, so it is honored as a national treasure of Japan. This kind of architectural style was extremely technically difficult at the time, showing the outstanding skill of the architects of the time. In addition, the temple also has 18 important cultural buildings (such as the three-storied pagoda and Amida Hall) and at least 9 important cultural arts and crafts (such as the wooden seated statue of Senju Kannon and the wooden seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai).

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Kiyomizu-dera Goshuin

Kiyomizu-dera Temple has several goshuin, including the main hall's “Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu” and “Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera Temple,” “Jizo Bosatsu” at Joju-in, “Fudo Myoo” at Okunoin, and “Kobo Daishi” at the Seiryuden. After visiting the relevant figures, you can go and get the appropriate goshuin. If you want to understand the origin of the name Goshuin, how to obtain it, etiquette, and taboos, please read[Japan] Goshuin | A seal that records the experience of visiting, differences between shrines and temples.

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Otowa Falls

Afterwards, we watched many people line up, looking forward to enjoying the fresh water at Otowa Falls (Otowa Falls) or washing their hands with it. Otowa Falls originates from the summit of Mt. Otowa and is divided into three streams of water, which separately symbolize “academic achievement,” “love achievement,” and “longevity.” According to the report, this clear stream also has healing effects.

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You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of maple leaves from every corner of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. When we visited in November, we were already immersed in the autumn scenery! It's hard for us to wear kimonos, so we definitely want to take a picture here.

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A monument dedicated to Ami-ryu as a mother

Finally, we discovered that the “Ah Liu Liu Memorial Monument for Mother”, which was built in 1994, stands here. According to reports, the Azan family was an Ezo chief from the end of the Nara period to the early Heian period in Japan. He led the Ezo people in the war of expropriation against the Yamato Imperial Court, making him a famous hero in the history of Ezo history, and was commemorated by future generations all over Japan.

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How do I get to Kiyomizu Temple?

Method 1: From JR Kyoto Station/Keihan Shichijo Station, take bus No. 206 or 100 and get off at “Gojozaka” and walk for 10 minutes
Method 2: From JR Kyoto Station, take Keihan Bus No. 8 and get off at “Kiyomizu-michi” and walk for 10 minutes
💡 Address: 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862 (Google Maps)Please click here)
💡 Opening hours: 6AM - 6PM (winter)/6:30 PM (spring, fall)/9PM (summer)
💡 Ticket price: 400 yen
💡 Official website:https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/

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