Kiyomizu-Dera

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  • Address
    Kiyomizu 1-294, Higashiyama-ku
  • Phone
    551 1234
  • Transport
    bus: 10min walk from Gojō-zaka bus stop, bus 206 or 100 from Kyoto Station, 10min walk from Gojō-zaka bus stop, bus 206 or 100 from Kyoto Station

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Lonely Planet review

Along with Nijō-jō, Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's most popular sights and is almost always swarming with Japanese and foreign tourists. Fortunately, it's a large complex and it can absorb a lot of visitors. It's worth a visit for the views over the grounds and the city, and the fascinating features scattered around the main hall.

This temple was first built in 798 and devoted to Jūichi-men, an 11-headed Kannon. The present buildings - built under order of Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shōgun - are reconstructions dating from 1633.

As an affiliate of the Hossō school, which originated in Nara, the temple has survived the many intrigues of Kyoto Buddhist schools through the centuries.

The main hall has a huge veranda that juts out over the hillside, supported by 139 15m-high wooden pillars. The terrace commands an excellent view over the city centre.

Just below this hall is Otowa-no-taki spring, where visitors drink the sacred waters believed to have therapeutic properties (and also thought to improve school test results). At Jishu-jinja, the 'Love Shrine' north of the main hall, visitors try to ensure success in love by closing their eyes and walking about 18m between a pair of stones - if you miss, your desire for love won't be fulfilled! (Don't worry, there are instructions in English.)

Before you enter the actual temple precincts, we strongly recommend that you take a few minutes to check out one of the oddest 'sights' that we've come across at a Japanese temple: the Tainai-meguri, the entrance to which can be found just to the left (north) of the pagoda that is located in front of the main entrance to the temple (you may have to ask a temple official since there is no English sign). We don't want to say too much, suffice to say, by entering the hall, you are figuratively entering the womb of Daizuigu Bosatsu, a female Bodhisattva who has the power to grant any human wish. Once you get to the inner sanctum, you are meant to turn the large stone found there in a clockwise direction and make your wish. Be warned, there are several 90-degree turns to navigate in the darkness - walk slowly and keep a hand in front of you.