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Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple

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Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple

A place that should be visited when traveling to Kyoto, the temple selected as a World Cultural Heritage.

4.59 43

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Opened in the year 778, the temple was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. In the 130, 000 m2 area of the precincts spread out on the hillside of Mt. Otowa, there are more than 30 cathedrals and monuments, including national treasures and important cultural properties. The changes in scenery of the Kiyomizu-dera temple can be seen every season, with cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, colored leaves in autumn, and snow in winter.

Once you climb up the hill road, you will be greeted by the vermilion-colored “Niomon.” If you continue climbing further up the stairs, you will see the 31m tall "triple tower.” It is one of the tallest in Japan and has a superb viewpoint where the vast scene of Kyoto city could be seen. The "main hall,” well-known for "jumping off the Stage of Kiyomizu (meaning to make a bold decision),” is a must-see. It is built to extend out on the slope of the mountain, and was constructed by the traditional Japanese construction method where wood is combined without using nails. It is approximately 13m in height and is equivalent to a 4-story building. The main body of worship enshrined, the "Eleven-faced Senju Sengan Kannon Statue," is a secret Buddha that, by the rules, could only be seen once every 33 years; the next time it would be shown is scheduled for 2033. Still, the "Gozen '', a slightly reduced size of the main body of worship, could be worshipped anytime.

On the east side of the main hall flows the "Otowa no Taki" waterfall, which is the origin of the name of the temple. After using the ladle to scoop the sacred water of the three lines of falling water, please pray for “purification of the six roots of perception” and “fulfillment of wishes.”

Highlights

  • Is close to the center of Kyoto and is thus easy to access.
  • Is registered as a World Cultural Heritage, and is a popular tourist attraction in Kyoto.
  • Has many places to see, such as the largest "triple tower" in Japan and the "main hall" on the slope of the mountain.
  • With cherry blossoms in the spring, greenery in the summer, colored leaves in the autumn, and snow in the winter, the temple scenery could be enjoyed throughout the year.

Photos

  • The "Main hall" with the famous "Stage of Kiyomizu" built on the slope of the mountain

    The "Main hall" with the famous "Stage of Kiyomizu" built on the slope of the mountain

  • Autumn leaves and triple tower.

    Autumn leaves and triple tower.

  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple light up

    Kiyomizu-dera Temple light up

Reviews

43

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • david
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    來到京都，若只能選擇一座寺院感受古都的歷史與美，清水寺絕對是不可錯過的地方。

    座落於音羽山上的清水寺，創建於西元778年，擁有超過千年的歷史，是京都最具代表性的寺院之一，也是聯合國教科文組織世界文化遺產「古京都的歷史遺跡」的一部分。

    沿著參道緩緩走上山，穿過朱紅色的仁王門，映入眼簾的是莊嚴的寺院建築。清水寺最令人印象深刻的，莫過於以傳統木造工法建成的清水舞台。舞台由眾多木柱支撐，懸空於山坡之上，沒有使用鐵釘建造主體結構，展現出日本古代建築工藝的精湛與智慧。

    站在舞台上，京都的街景與遠方的山巒盡收眼底。隨著季節更迭，這裡也呈現出截然不同的風貌：春天有粉嫩櫻花，夏日綠意盎然，秋季楓紅層層交疊，冬日則多了一份清冷而沉靜的美。

    沿著寺院步道繼續前行，便能看見音羽瀑布。清泉自山壁分成三道流下，傳統上分別與學業、戀愛及長壽等願望有所關聯。許多旅人來到這裡，不只是為了欣賞風景，也希望為自己與所愛之人祈求一份祝福。

    而我最喜歡的，或許不是某一處壯麗的景色，而是走在寺院之間時，那種不自覺慢下來的心情。

    在這座歷經千年歲月的古寺裡，彷彿能感受到時間的重量，也提醒自己，人生不必每一步都走得匆忙。有些事情需要等待，有些答案需要時間，而真正重要的人，更值得我們好好珍惜。

    旅行的意義，有時不只是欣賞風景，更是在某個不經意的瞬間，重新找回內心的平靜。

  • 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人
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    This time, I visited the thousand-year-old Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto with my older family members in early spring. Although there were quite a few steps along the way and we had to slow down a little for them, the scenery was captivating. We even spotted a few cherry trees blooming early, so we could enjoy the views as we walked and never found the walk boring.

    When we reached the magnificent main hall and looked out from the famous Kiyomizu Stage, the vermilion three-story pagoda in the distance blended with the surrounding natural mountain scenery to create an incredibly beautiful view. It was truly breathtaking. This ancient temple is not only filled with a deep sense of history but also gives off a powerful energy that brings peace to the mind. The only downside was that it was extremely crowded. If you could visit at a time with fewer tourists, walking around would definitely be much more comfortable and relaxing. Overall, though, being able to bring my older family members to this classic spiritual power spot and experience the spring atmosphere of the ancient capital was still a very precious and wonderful memory.

  • Do
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    Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera Temple | You really have to visit when you come to Kyoto ⛩️🇯🇵
    If you can only choose a few places to visit in Kyoto, I think Kiyomizu-dera Temple is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
    Especially if it’s your first time in Kyoto, seeing the ancient temple, people wearing kimono, and the Kyoto cityscape really makes you feel like, “Did I travel back in time?” 😂
    And Kiyomizu-dera isn’t just a single temple to see. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, which you walk through on the way up from the foot of the hill, are themselves great for exploring and taking photos.

  • wendy
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    With more than 1,200 years of history, Kiyomizu-dera Temple is really hard to miss when visiting Kyoto! The temple is primarily dedicated to Kannon and has gone through multiple fires and reconstructions. Today, it is also listed as a World Heritage Site. Its most iconic feature, the Kiyomizu Stage, offers views of Kyoto and was also one of the school trip settings in Detective Conan, which somehow makes it feel a little cute.

    However, it was unbelievably hot on the day we visited, and the crowds were huge. Before long, all we wanted to do was check it off our list and leave. If I come again, I still think it would be much more comfortable to visit in cooler weather and take my time exploring and appreciating the historic temple architecture.

    Kiyomizu-dera also has the unmissable Otowa Waterfall and the famous “love stones.” Legend says that if you can successfully walk from one stone to the other with your eyes closed, you'll be blessed with a wonderful romantic relationship〜With an ancient temple, the Kiyomizu Stage, views of Kyoto, and a touch of romantic legend, Kiyomizu-dera remains a classic Kyoto attraction worth visiting in person, even with the crowds.

  • 黃瓊儀
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    Kiyomizu-dera in the early morning has a charming historic atmosphere. I brought my elders to visit this historic site (I recommend coming early, as it gets more crowded around noon).
    Since we were traveling independently, we could wander around at our own pace. From high up at Kiyomizu-dera, we looked down over a sea of greenery and imagined the maple leaves turning red in the fall (I'll definitely visit again if I get the chance).
    I bought a commemorative omamori, hoping my family will stay safe and healthy〜❤️
    I fell deeply in love with the beauty of Kyoto🥰

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Details

Name in Japanese
音羽山 清水寺
Postal Code
605-0862
Address
1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Telephone
075-551-1234
Holiday
Open every day
Business Hours
6:00am - 6:00pm
Admission
Adults 500 yen, Elementary/ Middle School Students 200 yen
Directions
1) Ride the Keihan Main Line to Kiyomizu Gojo Station, then walk 25 minutes.
2) Ride the Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau (City Bus) Line 206 "Higashiyama-Dori Kitaoji Bus Terminal" or Line 100 "Kiyomizudera Gion Ginkakuji" from Keihan Main Line Nanajo Station, get off at "Gojo Zaka" bus stop, then walk 10 minutes.
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa