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 Terrace of Kiyomizudera by bkoon
Extracted from web-link:
Main temple of the Kitahosso sect of Buddhism. Founded in 778 and built starting 798 on the side of Otowa Hill. The temple includes some 30 structures most of which were rebuilt in 1633 by Tokugawa Iemitsu the 3rd shogun. The Main Hall (National Treasure) with its wooden balcony is a beautiful work of architecture in the Heian period style with a single-ridge roof sloping in four directions and cypress-bark roofing. It contains an image of the Eleven-headed Kannon (Important Cultural Property). Otowa Waterfall is visible below the balcony. Koyasu-no-To (Important Cultural Property) a 3-storied pagoda built as a petition for easy childbirth can be seen across the valley. In December 1994 Kiyomizudera Temple became part of the World Cultural Heritage.
Entrance Fee : 300 Yen (As At 14 May 2004) Leave a Comment Address: 294 1-chome Kiyomizu Higashiyama-kuPhone: 075-551-1234Directions: Bus number 100 or 206 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi and Gojo-zaka. 10 minute walk up to the temple from the bus stop.Website: http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/ (In Japanese) Other Contact: Fax : 075-551-1287
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Kiyomizudera ("Pure Water Temple") is always VERY crowded. But it's still worth a visit! The view is spectacular!
Admission: 300 Yen
Open: Daily 6:00 to 18:00 Directions: Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station in about 15 minutes by bus. Take bus number 100 or 206 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka, from where it is a 10-15 minute uphill walk to the temple.
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This temple is also a must see in Kyoto. Although, I had seen so many temples already, this temple has the most structures to see - the buildings are basically built and spread throughout the slopes of the hill.
The bright orange color of the structures are attractive at the entrance of the temple and in contrast, there are the century old structures located in the middle of the hill overlooking the city.
All throughout the temple, you can see water fountains for cleansing. There are also man-made waterfalls.
Hundreds of local tourists come here to make their wishes. They also believe that their sickness will heal when they wash or drink the water from the Kiyomizudora Temple." Address: Kyoto, Japan
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 Main Hall of Kiyomizu Temple
in the background by naruto
Kiyomizu Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands out because it is is built into a steep hillside and suspended on giant pillars. The amazing thing is that the pillars supported the main hall of the temple without having a single nail screwed and hammered in place. Many people visit the great temple because of its location and breathtaking scenery.
Kiyomizu Temple is dedicated to honoring the Juichimen Kannon (11-faced Goddess of Mercy). She is said to bring easy childbirth to expected mothers-to-be. While the original temple was built in 798 AD, the current structure dates back to 1633.
To get to Kiyomizu Temple, I had to climb the slope, Kiyomizu-zaka which leads up to it. Because the temple is such a popular attraction, that street can be very crowded and great for people watching. It is lined with shops selling goodies, confectionery and souvenirs - all very attractively packaged.
They have very special Hello Kitty Kyoto-themed goodies and dolls for those who are into collecting the feline.
(I got one of Hello Kitty dressed in a kimono for my niece :P)
Do leave some time to be able to browse and enjoy these shops.
There are also restaurants as well.
Before reaching the top and the main hall,
I passed by several shrines along the way which also deserves photo-ops.
There were some ceremony going on while I was there. A group of monks would go from hall to hall praying to the deities, and the people standing around watching, including myself, were kinda self-conscious about sneaking a photo because there were actually people part of the procession that were not praying, but were turned away from the deities in the halls and towards us, watching u with an eagle eye. Quite strange.
Entrance fee: ¥300.
Opening Hours: Daily 6am-6pm. Leave a Comment Directions: Take bus 100, 202, 206 or 207 to Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi, then walk up the long slope to the top.
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 Entrance to Kiyomizu-dera. by worldkiwi
Kiyomizu-dera's main temple structures are built on a steep hillside and have huge wooden decks in front of them, from which you can get great views of Kyoto. The temple has a number of Shinto shrines in its precints as well. The whole is fascinating to wander around, but as this is popular tourist attraction, it is always crowded.
I think it cost JPY600 (2006) to get in. Leave a Comment
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 One of the many water features
at the temple by joiwatani, 4 more photos
When I was there, there were Japanese high school students and older Japanese women waiting in line to drink the water and make their wishes. The grab the water receptacle made of bamboo and dip it in the pool of water and drink from it.
There is also a waterfall where the locals wash their hands and faces- supposed to heal their sicknesses and illness! Address: Kyoto, Japan
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 Taking the Waters by giampiero6
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Both bus number 100 or 206 stop nearby the temple but it takes approximately 15 minutes to get there walking uphill from the Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka bus stop. Don’t be distracted by all the shops along Sannenzaka and Ninen-zaka – the two picturesque stepped streets leading off from Kiyomizu-zaka. You will need more time to explore this best known sight of the city. I would suggest going early in the morning when there are less visitors. I was there late afternoon and it was crowded with both tourists and students. I couldn’t really enjoy the visit to its fullness as I was constantly bumping into people, needless to say having my photo taken without including the others was a mission impossible. It would have been nice going there earlier, wandering around and emerged in the tranquility.
Highlights of the temple are its wooden verandah in the main hall which offers an impressive view of the city; the waterfall (Otowa-no-taki) where the temple is named after and the love temple (Jishu-jinja), which, during my visit, was packed with students praying for puppy love. The "love stones" placed 18 metres apart in Jishu-jina suppose to bring love to the lonely hearts if they manage to walk between these stones with their eyes closed. There is no mention about cheating so you can of course ask your friend to shout and direct you!
Next to the waterfall is an open-air teahouse where visitors can sit in lotus position while enjoying traditional tea and sweet. But if you prefer some peace and quiet, there are also two teahouses situated downhill towards the exit.
Do check the Kyomizu-dera web site before you go as I think they also open at night in some months. Leave a Comment
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 3-storey pagoda by shintarojon
Opens from 6:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Admission fee:
Main facilities (Main Hall, Balcony) 300 Yen Leave a Comment Address: 294 1-chome,Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shiPhone: 075-551-1234 Fax : 075-551-1287Directions: 15 minute walk from either Kiyomizu-dera or Gojo-zaka stop on the City Bus Service route
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Outside one of the structures of the Kiyumizadara Temple, there are some older Japanese selling some stuff at the counter and we asked. We were told that for $8.00, we can go down inside the temple and see the womb of the Buddha. We were also told to make a wish when we see the light. We were also told that our wishes will be granted.
Having a lot of wishes - like getting a better job when I get back to the United States and my sister praying that her husband's visa to go back to Japan will be approved, we, including my other sister, went down the temple.
We were warned to hold on to the beads on the stairway. So, we held each others's shoulders and proceeded downwards on a stairway holding the beads. It was totally dark inside. You can't see a thing! Some of the Japanese girls behind us were screaming: "I am scared! I am scared!" and "It's dark! It's dark!" I held on to the beads downwards while I was holding another tourist infront of me. I am not sure whether the person infront of me was an older woman or a younger one. I just held on to her tightly as it was totally dark. I can't see a thing. Then after so many steps on the stairs, the voice said that in the old days, this is how the people came to the temple to pray. They can't really see a thing. Then the voice said that we are nearing to the womb. Then the voice said that we have to put our right hand on the stone when it appears and make a wish. The light appeared. I can see a hole in a huge stone. I saw the person in front of me. She put her hand on the hole. I imitated her and made a wish. Then holding on to the same beads, we were going upstairs in still total darkness...
I just experienced going inside the womb of the Buddha! I made my wish but up to now my wish is still not granted. I wondered if I followed the directions correctly or maybe, Buddha didn't fulfill my wish!!! Yet. Address: Kiyumizadara Temple, Kyoto, Japan
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