Kiyomizudera Temple

Religious spot

★ 4.9 (36K+ reviews) • 476K+ booked

Kiyomizu Temple, often called the "Pure Water Temple," is one of Kyoto’s most iconic and frequently visited landmarks. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, it was built in honor of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple is best known for its impressive wooden stage, which juts out 13 meters above the hillside, offering sweeping views of Kyoto. From this vantage point, visitors can enjoy stunning vistas of cherry blossoms in the spring, vibrant autumn foliage, and the city skyline. Inside the main hall, you’ll find a revered statue of Kannon, making the temple both a spiritual sanctuary and a visual masterpiece that captures the serene beauty of Kyoto.

1-chōme-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan

Gallery

Overview

Things to do

Hotels

Restaurants

4.9 /5

36K+ reviews

Read all reviews

클룩 회원

11 Sep

This trip was even more special and precious thanks to our guide, Hye Kang! Thank you so much. You shared so many great tips, making our trip fulfilling and incredibly informative! You were also considerate, making sure we could rest as much as possible when we were tired from traveling, and you recommended the very back seats for us (?), even though it seemed like we might be cramped. I was so touched that from the very beginning of the trip, you observed what each person preferred and what would be best for them, and tried to accommodate everyone's needs. Fortunately, at each travel destination, it wasn't as crowded as other days, and there wasn't much traffic, making it a perfect trip! I think it will get more crowded as the autumn season approaches. The Cheiz photographers are easy to spot because they wear the same sky-blue hats. They're waiting at the photo zones, and if photos are important to you, it's best to take them first before doing anything else! Anyway, all the photographers were friendly and took beautiful pictures, which was great! Sign up for Cheiz membership in advance, and show the photographer your My Page screen with your account logged in. They will verify it on the spot and take your picture. Do it in advance!! Anyway, if I go to Kobe, Nara, or Fukuoka again, I would trust and use Youtuber's other travel packages, that's how satisfied I was! Oh, and if you haven't already, make sure to allow friend requests via your KakaoTalk phone number, as you need to be added to the travel group chat in advance. For meals, you'll have plenty of time in Arashiyama, which is the first stop, and the guide will recommend several restaurants and cafes for you to choose from. They even helped us make a reservation, so we were able to eat right away without waiting! I chose the eel덮밥 (eel rice bowl), and it was so delicious that I keep thinking about it, especially since it was my first time having it! When we came out after eating, it was much more crowded, and I saw people waiting! After eating, you should go to % Arabica nearby for a cup of coffee and enjoy the sights. You don't have to doubt whether this product is worth it; just use it! Highly satisfied ❤️ Highly recommend ❤️

Klook User

11 Sep

We had a great time on our walking tour with Naoya! We never do this sort of thing but because the streets are busy and a little overwhelming, seeing all the sights can be difficult without a guide. It was great to learn about things we otherwise would have missed! We had three strollers in our group, and Naoya as well as other tour members helped us all up the stairs. Even our 4 year old twins had a great time. I highly recommend experiencing Gion with this tour.

Klook User

11 Sep

the service is good and the quality is great

Huang *******

10 Sep

The sunlight made Kinkaku-ji sparkle, and the tour guide provided a very detailed introduction in both Chinese and English 👍

Klook User

10 Sep

We loved it! Pro tip: Make sure to reserve enough time to find the meeting point as it's just a little bit confusing to find. Other than that everything went smoothly! 👌🏻

클룩 회원

10 Sep

I booked a tour package for the first time, and it was more fulfilling than I expected. The explanations were great, and I had so many amazing experiences in just one day! I highly recommend this for those who want to create a diverse plan and itinerary within a short timeframe. Songran Lee, our tour guide for today, is fluent in Korean and provided excellent historical context and explanations, which allowed me to gain a lot of knowledge. Thank you! 👍👍 The best~!

LEE ********

10 Sep

The timing was great, with point-to-point transportation and enough time to visit each attraction. Our guide, Amy, was meticulous and professional, with clear explanations and seamless bilingual communication. Thumbs up!

Hà **

10 Sep

Great value, beautiful scenery, wonderful

Arashiyama

1M+ visitors

Jojakkoji

817K+ visitors

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

491K+ visitors

Kyoto Station

656K+ visitors

Katsura Imperial Villa

538K+ visitors

Umekōji Park

586K+ visitors

Kyoto Railway Museum

537K+ visitors

Tenryu-ji

380K+ visitors

Arashiyama Park Kameyama Area

371K+ visitors

What is special about the Kiyomizu Temple?

Is it better to go to Kiyomizu-dera in the morning or at night?

Was Kiyomizu-dera built without nails?

Is Kiyomizu worth it?

Getting to Kiyomizu Temple

You can easily reach Kiyomizu-dera Temple from JR Kyoto Station by taking bus number 206. Get off at either Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, and from there, it's a ten-minute uphill walk to the temple. Alternatively, take a taxi for a more direct route. Many visitors also walk from nearby neighborhoods, enjoying the scenic approach.

Kiyomizu Temple Opening Hours

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended hours until 6:30 PM in July and August. During special evening illuminations, the temple remains open until 9:30 PM, with the last entry at 9:00 PM.

If you're short on time, a quick visit takes about 30 minutes. For a more comprehensive experience across the temple grounds, plan for about two hours to explore all the highlights.

Must-Visit Attractions at Kiyomizu Temple

Butai (Kiyomizu's Wooden Stage)

Discover the extraordinary wooden stage complex of Kiyomizu-dera, showcasing 168 pillars and providing breathtaking vistas of Kyoto. Crafted without the use of nails, this architectural wonder is a national treasure that symbolizes pure traditional Japanese craftsmanship. During cherry blossom season, the view from the stage becomes even more magical, with soft pink petals blanketing the surrounding hills.

Three Story Pagoda

Be amazed by the majestic three-story pagoda, one of Japan's tallest. This iconic structure stands proudly among the temple buildings, full of intricate details and symbolic elements that tell the story of the temple's rich history and cultural importance.

Bell Tower

Visit the colorful bell tower, surrounded by chrysanthemum flowers and centuries of tradition. On New Year's Eve, visitors can witness the bell-ringing ceremony, a symbolic ritual that marks the passage of time. This tower is part of what makes Kiyomizu-dera a widely worshiped holy place in Japan.

Jishu Shrine

Jishu Shrine is devoted to the deity of love and matchmaking. Located in front of the shrine are two stones set 18 meters apart. Legend has it that going from one stone to the other with closed eyes brings luck in love. Alternatively, having someone assist you on this journey signifies the need for a mediator in your romantic endeavors. Enhance your cultural experience with kimono rental, available nearby, to walk the grounds in traditional attire.

Otowa Waterfall

Located at the base of Kiyomizu-dera's main hall, discover the Otowa Waterfall, where water cascades into three distinct streams. Visitors use long-poled cups to sip from the streams, each believed to offer blessings of longevity, academic success, or romantic luck. While tempting, drinking from all three streams is traditionally seen as greedy.

Okunoin Hall

Make sure to explore Okunoin Hall, a peaceful and sacred part of the temple complex often less crowded than the main stage. It offers a reflective space with historical significance, adding depth to your visit to this Japanese equivalent of a spiritual retreat.

Best time to visit Kiyomizu Temple

The ideal times to visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple are during the spring and autumn seasons. In late March to early April, the cherry blossom season transforms the temple into a picturesque wonderland. Similarly, from mid-November to early December, vibrant autumn leaves create a stunning backdrop.

Kiyomizudera Temple