A complete guide to Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin.
Introduction
Kiyomizudera is a 1200-year-old (Est. 778) temple located on the mountainside in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto. It's one of the most famous temples in Japan and is a popular sightseeing destination due to its beautiful architecture, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and views of Kyoto. It's located at the top of the historically preserved streets of Higashiyama which are lined with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. Higashiyama itself is a very popular area and contains a number of notable attractions.
Table of Contents
Location & Access
The ninenzaka street in Higashiyama, 5 mins walk from Kiyomizudera. Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin.
Kiyomizudera is located in the sightseeing district of Higashiyama which is next to Gion and northeast of Kyoto Station (10-minute taxi). It's about a 15-minute walk from Gion and a 25-minute walk from Downtown Kyoto. It's one of the few temples that opens before 9am, which is perfect if you want to avoid the huge crowds that are attracted to the temple during the day. Most people include Kiyomizudera as part of a larger day exploring the other attractions in Higashiyama, you can read about them here.
🕗 Opening Hours
6am - 6pm.
🌸 Cherry Blossom Illuminations
Late March to early April: 6pm - 9pm.
🍁 Autumn Leaves Illuminations
Mid-November to Mid-December: 6pm - 9pm.
📍 Location
Higashiyama, Kyoto. (Google Maps)
💴 Entry Price
¥500 per person
Seasons
A rare snowy day at Kiyomizudera. Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin.
Kiyomizudera is beautiful year-round and is well-known for its expressive seasons, it's especially popular for the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. The peak period for the cherry blossoms is from the end of March to the start of April, and the peak period for the Autumn leaves is from mid-November to early December. Summer is lush and green and can be especially charming with the summer rain, as mist and clouds form around the temple, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Snow is rare in Kyoto but typically falls 1-3 times each winter, usually at night, and disappears within a few hours after the sunrise. If you happen to catch the snowfall during your visit, it's worthwhile to wake up early as Kiyomizudera looks amazing under these conditions.
🌸 Cherry Blossoms
Late March to early April
🍁 Autumn Leaves
Mid-November to early December
☀️ Summer
June - August.
Average temp. 32°C
❄️ Winter
Snowfall. 1-3 times per year.
Interesting Facts & History
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin.
Kiyomizudera is a Buddhist temple that was established in 778 by a priest from Nara. He claimed to have received a vision advising him to construct the temple next to the Otowa spring. Today, visitors line up to drink from the spring which is believed to promote health and longevity. Thanks to preservation and restoration efforts many of the temple's current buildings are 400 years old and there's not a single nail used in the entire structure thanks to traditional Japanese carpentry.
During the Edo Period (1603 - 1868), a rumour began to circulate regarding the 13-meter-high wooden stage that's connected to the main hall. It was believed that if one jumps from the platform and survives the fall, then their wish would be granted. During this period, 234 jumps were recorded, and surprisingly, records indicate that 85% of people survived the fall, although they may not have survived their subsequent injuries. The practice was finally prohibited in 1872.
Kiyomizudera is translated to Pure Water Temple.
Kiyo = Pure, Mizu = Water, and Dera = Temple
1200 years old, with the current buildings reaching up to 400 years old.
Visitors line up to drink from the Otowa spring, which is believed to promote health and longevity.
The entire temple has been constructed without the use of nails.
Nearby Attractions
The Chion-in temple, about 20 minute's walk from Kiyomizudera. Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin.
Kiyomizudera is part of a collection of shrines and temples in a historically preserved section of Higashiyama. Other notable attractions include Kodaiji Temple, the 5-story Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji), and Chion-in Temple. There's a lot to see and do, you can easily spend half a day exploring this area, you can check out our dedicated for Higashiyama over here: A Complete Guide To Visiting Higashiyama
Further Reading
The cherry blossom illuminations at Kiyomizudera. Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin.
Is it worthwhile staying near Kiyomizudera?
Higashiyama contains some of the nicest accommodation in Kyoto, but with so many choices it can be very time-consuming to make the right decision. We analysed thousands of customer reviews and combined them with our expert knowledge of the city to compile a list of the best accommodation near Kiyomizudera, check it out here: The Best Hotels in Higashiyama
What about sightseeing in Higashiyama?
Higashiyama is one of the most famous areas for sightseeing in Kyoto. You could spend an entire day exploring all the hidden temples, gardens, and beautifully preserved streets. We created an efficient and comprehensive guide to sightseeing in Higashiyama here: A Complete Guide to Higashiyama
Where is the best area to stay in Kyoto?
Choosing the right area for your accommodation in Kyoto can be a bit confusing, to help you make the most informed decision we developed this compressive and easy-to-read guide. Check it out here: Where to stay in Kyoto
