10 days in Japan - 10/29/2022 to 11/7/2022

Day 7- Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto-11/4/22

  After getting off Kyoto's train station we took a taxi to Kiyomizu-dera which is located on the foothills of Mount Otawa.

Kiyomizu-dera temple means "Pure Water Temple" and is one most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, and derives its name from the fall's pure waters. The temple was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism, but formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

The Taxi driver dropped us off at Higashiyam District as from here to the temple it is reserved for Pedestrians. The Higashiyama District along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts.

It is a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine, where the narrow lanes, wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops invoke a feeling of the old capital city.

Ladies dressed in traditional Japanese kimono

Recent efforts to remove telephone poles and repave the streets have further improved the traditional feel of the district. The streets in Higashiyama are lined by small shops, cafes and restaurants which have been catering to tourists and pilgrims for centuries. 

Shop selling roasted chestnuts.

Hoa and I we love roasted chestnuts so we stopped by to buy some.

Niomon Gate is an iconic red gate at the main entrance of Kiyomizu-dera. Visitors walk through the gate to enter the vast temple grounds which are home to historical buildings as well as numerous natural beauties.

A Niomon gate (on the left) . The original gate was destroyed during one of the wars in Japan from 1467 – 1477. Officially designated as an Important Cultural Property, the present Niomon Gate has survived for centuries after being reconstructed in the late 15th century.

Before taking the steps stone leading up to the gate, you will find two adorable statues of guardian dogs (called “Koma-inu”in Japanese) on both sides.

Walking up the stairs

Once you are up the first gate there are a bunch of temples and pagodas.

The is the view from the stairs Main gate looking back at the town below where we came from.

Sanjunoto Pagoda

Sanjunoto Pagoda view from the ground floor.

Visitors who come to the pagoda and pray here are said to be blessed with a safe childbirth and happiness for their children. The different layers of the pagoda fan out, like wings against the sky.

The three story pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera is one of the tallest of its kind in Japan, standing at 102 ft. high. The current structure dates from a reconstruction carried out in 1633, when its original red coloring was also restored.

Sei-mon gate  (West gate) 

This gate is pretty simple with a view of the city.

We are now headed to Jishu Shrine

The entrance of the shrine.

People can pray in this area and then throw money in the wooden box.

Main shrine.

Courtyard before entering the Shrine.

 Todoroki-mon gate.

Entering Todoroki-mon gate.

Iron clogs and two iron staffs. It’s said that a very strong priest called Benkei walked wearing these clogs with these staffs in his hands to train his body.

View from the balcony of the Todoroki-mon gate.

More halls around the Todoroki-mon gate.

NEXT.... Day 7-Main Hall and park