Kiyomizu Dera Temple
About Kiyomizu Dera Temple
This is another UNESCO World Heritage listed site in Japan - Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺, Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera, literally means “Pure Water Temple”), one of the oldest Buddhist temple in Kyoto. This famous temple received World Cultural Heritage Listing by UNESCO in December 1994. Kiyomizudera (The Clear Water Temple) is the main temple of the Hosso sect of Buddhism and has been destroyed and rebuilt many times in its twelve centuries of history. The Shinto Jishu Shrine is located here also. Kiyomizudera is said to have been constructed from 778 by Enchin, a buddhist priest, in honor of the Kannon Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion). A bodhisattva is one who can achieve enlightenment but decides to remain on earth to assist others in achieving nirvana.
If you are not escorted with any Japanese tourist guide, to get to the temple, you first make your way up Ninnen-zaka & Sannen-zaka walk, past the Omiyage shops until you reach the main gate of Kiyomizudera. The first thing you will see on the left is the old horse stables used by those going to offer their prayers to Kannon. Walking from there into the temple you will walk under the Nio-mon or Gate of the Deva Kings. The Deva Kings, along with Korean lion-dogs (koma-inu) protect the temple from any evil that may enter. The right Deva King has his mouth open, pronouncing “A”, the first sound of Sanskrit while the other has his mouth closed, pronouncing “UN”, the last sound. Thus, it is thought that the Deva Kings represent the complete teachings of Buddha.
Admission Times / Hours Open: 6:00 - 18:00 (some parts close around 4)
Time Needed for Tour: About 40 minutes (at least)
Days Closed / Facilities Closed: Open daily
Cost of Admission: Main facilities (Main Hall, Balcony) 300 Yen
If you are not escorted with any Japanese tourist guide, to get to the temple, you first make your way up Ninnen-zaka & Sannen-zaka walk, past the Omiyage shops until you reach the main gate of Kiyomizudera. The first thing you will see on the left is the old horse stables used by those going to offer their prayers to Kannon. Walking from there into the temple you will walk under the Nio-mon or Gate of the Deva Kings. The Deva Kings, along with Korean lion-dogs (koma-inu) protect the temple from any evil that may enter. The right Deva King has his mouth open, pronouncing “A”, the first sound of Sanskrit while the other has his mouth closed, pronouncing “UN”, the last sound. Thus, it is thought that the Deva Kings represent the complete teachings of Buddha.
Admission Times / Hours Open: 6:00 - 18:00 (some parts close around 4)
Time Needed for Tour: About 40 minutes (at least)
Days Closed / Facilities Closed: Open daily
Cost of Admission: Main facilities (Main Hall, Balcony) 300 Yen
Payment Accepted:
Getting there:
1: From Kyoto Station: Take bus 202, 206, or 207 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka. From there make your way up hill past the shops and once you reach the top you will be in front of the temple. 2: From Okazaki: Take the Kaisoku (Express) from JR Okazaki Station to JR Mikawa Anjo (10 minutes) or JR Nagoya Station (28 minutes). Change to a west bound Kodama shinkansen. Take bus 202, 206, or 207 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka. From there make your way up hill past the shops and once you reach the top you will be in front of the temple. As of writing, the tickets cost XXXX yen one way and the journey takes about XXXX minutes not including the train change.
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First To Review:
May 2, 2009
When I lived in Kawachinagano, I must have visited Kiyomizudera at least eight times (I lost count somewhere after five). It is probably the biggest temple in Kyoto, and definitely worth the climb up the steep hill to get to it. Unlike some of the others, Kiyomizudera is beautiful in every season: because it's up on the mountain, it has stunning views, so you can see the snow carpeting the city in winter, the changing leaves in fall, the cherry blossoms in spring, or the green trees and flowers in summer.
Kiyomizudera is a gold mine for anyone who likes Shinto "good luck rituals"; it contains several small shrines in which you can follow a prescribed set of rituals for luck in love, for help in getting rid of a problem, or for continued wealth, health or happiness. This is probably why I visited it so often; one of the mini-shrines within Kiyomizudera is considered a "love shrine" - there, you can get a piece of paper shaped like a man or woman, write the problem you are having with your partner on the paper, and put it in a bucket of water: as the paper dissolves, your problem is supposed to dissolve with it. I found the ritual quite comforting whenever I had boyfriend problems. :) There is a set of mystical wells farther along in the temple, and drinking from the well marked with the character for what you want to receive (I think they are health, money, and happiness, but it's hard for me to remember) is supposed to get you luck in that aspect of your life. Of course, there are also plenty of places to buy omamori, and several altars at which you can offer incense to various gods.
For its combination of stunning scenery and comforting ritual, I'd recommend Kiyomizudera to anyone visiting Kyoto; it was my favorite temple in the city.
Kiyomizudera is a gold mine for anyone who likes Shinto "good luck rituals"; it contains several small shrines in which you can follow a prescribed set of rituals for luck in love, for help in getting rid of a problem, or for continued wealth, health or happiness. This is probably why I visited it so often; one of the mini-shrines within Kiyomizudera is considered a "love shrine" - there, you can get a piece of paper shaped like a man or woman, write the problem you are having with your partner on the paper, and put it in a bucket of water: as the paper dissolves, your problem is supposed to dissolve with it. I found the ritual quite comforting whenever I had boyfriend problems. :) There is a set of mystical wells farther along in the temple, and drinking from the well marked with the character for what you want to receive (I think they are health, money, and happiness, but it's hard for me to remember) is supposed to get you luck in that aspect of your life. Of course, there are also plenty of places to buy omamori, and several altars at which you can offer incense to various gods.
For its combination of stunning scenery and comforting ritual, I'd recommend Kiyomizudera to anyone visiting Kyoto; it was my favorite temple in the city.
Feb 12, 2011
A very nice place to be. A very typical japanese temple. Don't hesitate having a walk in the forest all around the temple. It is lovely. After that, you can go to the golden temple as well.
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