 | Kyoto Kiyomizu Temple Reviews | Tips 21 - 30 of 104 |  |
Walk from Kiyomizu-dera, take the street on the right (the Geisha dress up place is on the street to the left)and on the right are steps leading down. This street is called Sannen-Zaka and leads into Ninen-Zaka. This is the part of Kyoto that people mean when they say -'you must go' so don't miss it!
Old world Japan with narrow streets, tea houses with carp gardens and generally lots of people but still nice. From here there are many touristy things to see like gardens and temples. Leave a Comment
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What sets Kiyomizudera apart from the other temples is its unique wooden terrace which has been intricately built and set against a tree covered hill. Take your time to explore the sprawling grounds of this temple complex. Stop to taste the fresh spring water below the terrace said to contain healing powers.
As you approach the temple, there are many shops lining the street where you can find a wide range of souvenirs, pottery, bags, paper products, fans and Japanese snacks.
For the best green tea ice-cream, visit the shop closest to the temple (on the left) if you're approaching the temple. On the way back, take a walk down the steps of Sannenzaka (on the right if leaving temple). Here you'll find more shops and cafes which makes it perfect to while the afternoon away.
Avoid Sundays as it's very crowded everywhere. Best time to visit is during spring (cherry blossoms), fall (autumn colours) and winter where the surroundings are breathtaking according to seasons.
Please see travelogue for more pictures of temple and its surroundings.
Entrance fee : US$2.57 per person
Hours : 6am - 6pm Directions: To get there from Kyoto Station, take bus 206 (US$1.90 per person) or a taxi (US$9.44).
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A World Cultural Hertage site, Kiyomizudera is the most photographed and visited temple in Kyoto. Most of the present buildings were reconstructions dating back to 1633. It is most noted for Platform Stage where one gets a panoramic view of the surrounding hills of Higashiyama. In spring, Kiyomizudera is particularly attractive with the burst of magnificent colours of the cherry blossoms (sakura). Just below the main hall is a waterfall where visitors drink sacred waters believed to have therapeutic properties. Leave a Comment Directions: Take bus 206 from JR Kyoto Station. Get off at Kiyomizu-michi and walk uphill for 10 minutes past the souvenir shops.
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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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People come here for many reasons...the view from the verandah of the main hall for example, or the health benefits that come from drinking the water from Otowa-no-taki. I came specifically to visit Jishu, a Shinto shrine behind the main hall. This is the home of the god of love and good marriage. People come here to walk the path of the 'blind stones'. This is a 20 metre path that you walk with your eyes closed, trying not to trip over the stones. You repeat the name of your loved one whilst you walk, and if you make it to the end, your marriage and love is assured. Clearly it works, as almost a year after our visit I am marrying the man of my dreams! Address: Higashiyama-ku KiyomizuPhone: 551-1234Directions: Take bus 206 from Kyoto station to Kiyomizu-michi and walk up the hill.
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There is a Japanese saying that goes: "Kiyomizu no butai kara tobu" which means: "Jump from the stage/veranda of the Kiyomizu Temple". (The 'stage' or 'veranda' mentioned is pictured here.) It means to make a bold decision, not to be weak about it. Once you've made up your mind, there is not turning back.
(Imagine wanting to jump down from the veranda then as you were falling, you decide you didn't want to jump after all. Haha!)
Kiyomizudera is a popular place for school tours as well as for momiji viewing (fall foliage).
Outside the temple, there is a long sloping street full of shops that sell everything from cakes to mini katana (samurai swords) to glay wall scrolls and there is always something for everybody ^_^ Address: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
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almost hanging on a hill, you must walk a steep hillside to see the most beloved temple in the nation.
founded in 798 and restored in 1633
there are numerous shops lining the way to the temple, called the teapot lane. Leave a Comment Address: Eastern Kyoto
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Buddha's footprint stone. Some buddhist temple have "artefacts" from buddha's life, a bit like the saint's relics of catholic church.
According to the "Kanbutsu Zanmai Sutra" it is said that even if one is burdened with uncountable-timeless sins, if he looks upon the footprints of the Buddha, its sins will be extinguishes. Leave a Comment
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From this large stage you will be able to look down at the city and some other parts of KyoMizu. On the southern side of it, there's a hill covered with many cherry trees. It should be wonderful on late march ! On the back of the picture, you have the Oku-no-In, the "inner-temple" where people enter to pray or to check their luck by shaking a box untill they get a stick out of it. Notice the straw roof. Leave a Comment
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The lady is shaking a box untill a stick get out of it. Than she show the stick to a person from the temple who give her a written message. As far as I understood, the pronostics are always for good fortune. ;-)
Notice the huge post, they know about large trees ! Leave a Comment
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