Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

A temple founded in 778 on Mount Otowa in Kyoto's Higashiyama. From its clifftop stage you look over Kyoto and trees that change colour with the seasons.

Kiyomizu-dera's pagoda and halls seen over bright red autumn leaves — Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vermilion three-story pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera framed by autumn foliage — Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Kannon temple with almost 1,250 years of history

Kiyomizu-dera is the head temple of the Kita-Hosso school of Buddhism, on Mount Otowa in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward. It was founded in 778. Its principal image is the Eleven-Headed, Thousand-Armed Kannon (the bodhisattva of compassion), a hidden Buddha that is not normally shown to the public. Kyoto people fondly call the temple "Kiyomizu no Kannon-san".

The large grounds contain 15 buildings, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. In 1994 the temple was inscribed as a World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto".

The "Kiyomizu stage" and kakezukuri

The present main hall was rebuilt in 1633 with a donation from Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo shogunate, and is a National Treasure. Jutting out from the cliff in front of the hall is the famous "Kiyomizu stage". It rests on wooden pillars about 13m tall, and this way of supporting a building on pillars set into a cliff is called kakezukuri.

Japanese has an expression, "as if jumping off the stage at Kiyomizu", used when you take a bold, big decision. There are even records of people actually jumping from the stage in the Edo period.

Otowa Waterfall and the three-storey pagoda

At Otowa Waterfall below the stage, the water falls in three separate streams. Visitors catch the water and pray for things like health, long life and success in their studies.

The grounds also have a vermilion Nio-mon gate and a three-storey pagoda. From the stage you can look out over Kyoto, and the view at dusk is especially popular.

Getting there and crowds

From Kyoto Station, take a city bus (route 206 or 100) to the "Gojo-zaka" stop, then walk about 10 minutes. From Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on the Keihan line it is about 25 minutes on foot. There is no car park at the temple, so use public transport or a taxi.

It is a very popular temple, so if you want to avoid the crowds, go early in the morning. Visiting hours change with the seasons and events, so check the official website.

Tips

Jishu Shrine, the matchmaking shrine within the grounds, is closed for restoration of its buildings, and no reopening date has been set (as of September 2026).
Kiyomizu-dera has no car park, and the roads around it get congested in some seasons, so going by bus or on foot is the safer bet.
At certain times of year there are special night-time openings. Check the dates on the official website or Kyoto City's tourism website.