Founded in 778 by Enchin Shonin and later by Sakagami Tamuramaro, the two met in the summer of 780. Tamuramaro was on a deer hunting trip to Higashiyama in search of medicinal food for his wife's safe delivery, and stopped by Otowa Falls to quench his thirst, where he encountered Enchin. Tamuramaro was so moved by Nobuchin's words that he was willing to take another's life in order to pray for an easy delivery, that he donated money to build a hall for Kannon, which was the beginning of Kiyomizu Temple.

In the Heian period (794-1185), Tamuramaro was appointed as a barbarian general to defeat the Emishi in the eastern part of Japan. He won a victory through Enchin's prayers and built a temple with a golden eleven-faced thousand-armed Kannon as its principal image as a reward.
Since then, the temple has been destroyed by fire more than 10 times due to calamities, including being burned down in a power struggle and burned down during the Onin War. Each time, the temple and the people worked together to rebuild the temple, and the temple's present form is the result of this history.

After passing through the busy Sanneizaka Street, the first thing that greets you is the Niomon Gate, the main gate of Kiyomizu-Dera Temple. ［It is the main gate of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and is also called "Akamon" (red gate) due to its beautiful tan-nuri (red lacquered) appearance. It was destroyed by fire during the Onin War, but was rebuilt around 1500.

A curious device is that if one taps the hollow of the koshikan on the right side of the front of the Niomon gate with a fingertip, the sound is transmitted diagonally to the opposite side of the gate. The hollowed-out state of the gate suggests that a large number of people tapped on it.

Founded in 847, the current building was rebuilt in 1632. It is one of the largest three-story pagodas in Japan and has become a symbol of Shimizu, as it is clearly visible from the city.

The main hall stands on a cliff and has a stage known for the proverb "jumping down from the stage of Kiyomizu," and during a major renovation completed in 2020, the stage boards were replaced with new cypress boards, giving it a shiny new look. The stage is approximately 13 meters high. The architectural beauty of the latticework, built around huge zelkova pillars using only zelkova staves and wedges, without the use of nails, is a sight to behold. In the old days, there was a custom to actually jump off the stage in the belief that one's wish would be fulfilled if one risked one's life to believe in the Gohonzon.
Enshrined in the inner sanctuary at the far end of the temple, as seen from the stage, is a statue of the eleven-faced thousand-armed Kannon, the principal deity of the temple, which is said to have been taken out of the temple every time it was destroyed by fire. With eleven faces and forty-two hands, the statue expresses great compassion and has long been believed to save people from suffering. Because it is a secret statue, the door to the kitchen is usually closed, and it can only be seen in person once every 33 years; the next time will be in 2033. However, visitors can see the Buddha in an omae-dachi (standing in front of the main image), which is a replica of the main image. In addition, a special viewing of the inner sanctuary is possible during the annual Sennichimairi (pilgrimage) held from August 9 to 16.

This is the water where Tamuramaro quenched his thirst and where he first met Enchin. ［Otowa Falls, from which the temple's name "Kiyomizu-dera" is derived, is pure water that has been gushing out since prehistoric times. Originally a single waterfall, it has been worshipped as "golden water" of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, and as "water that prolongs long life. According to folk belief, it is believed to be beneficial for wealth and fortune, the fulfillment of a good marriage, and the prolongation of one's life.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, with its long history, is home to many mysterious phenomena.

For example, the bell tower stands immediately after passing through the Niomon Gate. Normally, the elbows of the corner braids of the four-pillar head are arranged in pairs, but the south side is for a baku and the north side for an elephant's wooden nose.

Also, only the tile on the southeast corner of the three-story pagoda has a dragon instead of a demon. The dragon is a god who controls water and is said to be a spell to ward off fire. The southeast corner is in the opposite direction of Mt. Atago, where the god of fire prevention resides, and is said to protect the most vulnerable area from fire.

Passing through Todorokimon, the entrance to the main hall, the Buddha's Foot Stone is located on the left side of the corridor. It is said to be the footprint of Taira no Kagekiyo, who fought against Minamoto no Mioya in the Battle of Yashima, and legend has it that stroking the stone will cure back pain in honor of the legend of Kagekiyo's bravery.

If you take the time to look not only at the overall view, but also at the details, you will surely discover something unexpected! Enjoy touring the precincts of the temple in addition to the regular sights.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a complex of several halls. Kiyomizu-dera is also home to the 33 sacred sites of the Kannon Sacred Shrine in the western part of Japan, the 33 sacred sites of the Kannon Sacred Shrine in Rakuyo, and the 25 sacred sites of Honen Shonin, making it an ideal place for pilgrims to visit for red seals.

There are seven types of red seals available at the sutra office next to the main hall, including the one for the main hall (in the western part of the temple), which is famous for its "Kiyomizu no Butai" (stage of Kiyomizu). The red seal for the main hall (in the western part of the temple) bears the characters "Daihikaku," meaning the building where Kannon is enshrined, and in the center of the seal is the Sanskrit characters representing the thousand-armed, thousand-eyed Goddess of Mercy.

In addition, different types of red seals are available at the Amida Hall and the Sutra Office at Otowa Falls. Long lines form at certain times of the year, so be sure to allow plenty of time for your visit.

At the awarding office located in the precincts of the temple, visitors can receive amulets, charms, and other souvenirs of their visit to the temple.
The Daikokuten strap, featuring Daikoku-sama, who greets visitors at the main hall, can be worn to bring prosperity and money.
Other items that will bring you closer to Kiyomizu-dera include incense sticks kneaded from the cypress bark used for the roof of the main hall, and handmade prayer beads made from an old tree on the temple grounds.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which has been closely associated with the faith of the general public, holds many events throughout the year that are open to the general public, including tourists. Here are some of the events that are worth checking out.

August 9-16 every year
It is said that one day's visit to the temple is equivalent to 1,000 days' worth of blessings, and has been widely popular as a day of merit for Kannon since ancient times. During this period, special viewing of the inner sanctuary of the main hall is held, and from 14th to 16th, night viewing is also held.

March 15, April 3, and September 15 every year
Based on the legend that the Goddess of Kannon transforms into a dragon, this event features a parade of members of the congregation dressed in solemn costumes, led by an 18-meter-long blue dragon. Yashagami, enshrined in the south side hall of Okuno-in Temple, has been worshipped as a god of good karma, protecting the land of the blue dragon and the principal image, so the procession starts at around 2 pm. The procession starts from Okuno-in Temple around 2:00 p.m. to the precincts of the temple and the Monzenmachi area to pray for protection of the area and protection from disaster.

Late March to early April, August 14 to 16, mid to late November (November 18 to 30, 2023 schedule)
During the festival, the gate opens until 9:30 p.m. (registration closes at 9:00 p.m.). In spring, visitors can view the mountain cherry blossoms and Someiyoshino cherry trees in full bloom on the temple grounds, and in summer, the Sennichi-mairi (summer festival) is a cool and refreshing experience. In autumn, maple trees and mountain maples turn the temple red, and the stage overlooks an unparalleled view. The nighttime viewing is a unique and ethereal experience, with the lights illuminated to create a different atmosphere from that of the daytime. The "Moon Garden" of Seijoin Temple, which is usually closed to the public, will also be open to the public during the special autumn nighttime viewing period.

1000Market by OKAGESAN" started in 2022 with the theme of contributing to the inheritance of traditional culture, environmental conservation, and food loss reduction. Held on the 28th of every month, the market brings together makers who are kind to the earth and all living creatures 100 years in the future. Visitors can enjoy shopping and cultural experiences at the market where "genuine" spirit and products are gathered.

From Kyoto Station
Bus stop D2 (city bus)
Route 206 (for Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu Temple, Gion, Kitaoji Bus Terminal) → get off at Gojozaka bus stop → 11 min. walk
Take the No. 86 bus bound for Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, or Heian-jingu Temple→get off at Gojozaka bus stop→11 min. walk.

Bus stop C3 (Kyoto Bus) *Only operates on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
Take the No. 18 bus (bound for Ohara) → Get off at the Gojozaka bus stop → 11-minute walk

From Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station
Bus stop E (north side of Shijo St./City Bus)
Take the No. 207 bus bound for Kiyomizu-dera/Tofuku-dera→get off at the Kiyomizu-michi bus stop→11 min. walk.

From Keihan Gion-Shijo Station
Shijo Keihan Bus Stop (Keihan Bus)
Take routes 83/85/87/88→get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojozaka bus stop→11 min. walk

From Keihan Kiyomizu Gojo Station
25 minute walk

From Arashiyama
Randen "Arashiyama Station" → Randen "Shijo Omiya Station" → Bus stop [Shijo Omiya] No. 207 (for Kiyomizu-dera/Tofuku-dera) → Get off at "Kiyomizu-michi" bus stop → 11 min. walk
Arashiyama Station on the Hankyu Line → Katsura Station on the Hankyu Line → Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Line → Bus stop [Shijo-Takakura], Route 207 (for Kiyomizu-Dera Temple and Tofuku-Dera Temple) → Get off at Kiyomizu-Michi bus stop → 11-minute walk

From ⚫︎ Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkakuji Temple Road→Senbon Kitaoji Route 206 (for Higashiyama Sanjo, Gion, Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto Station) → Get off at Kiyomizu-michi bus stop→ 11 minutes on foot

From ⚫︎ Heian Jingu Shrine
Okazaki Park Museum, Heianjingu-mae (city bus)
Route 202/206 (for Higashiyama Sanjo, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, Tofuku-dera) → alight at Kiyomizu-michi bus stop → 11-minute walk

→Check here for other routes.

There is no parking on the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple grounds, but there are municipal parking lots and coin-operated parking lots in the neighborhood. There is no parking on the temple grounds, but there are municipal parking lots and coin-operated parking lots in the neighborhood.

［Cherry blossom viewing information]
Best time to see: late March to early April
Hours of visitation/6:00-18:00
Admission: Adults 400 yen (500 yen from April 1, 2024), Elementary and junior high school students 200 yen

Special Nighttime Viewing
Period: March 23 (Sat) - March 31 (Sun), 2024
Time/18:00 - 21:00 (reception closed)
Entrance fee: 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students

［Autumn Foliage Season Information]
Best time/usually late November to early December
Seijoin Moon Garden Special Open House
Period of visit: Saturday, November 18, 2023 - Thursday, November 30, 2023
Hours: 9:00-16:00, 18:00-20:30 (last admission)
Admission: 600 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students
Night Special Viewing
Period of visit: Saturday, November 18, 2023 - Thursday, November 30, 2023
Hours: 18:00 - 21:00 (last admission)
Admission: Adults (high school students and older) 400 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 200 yen