Temples & religious sites
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Kita-Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism and its honzon is a hibutsu statue of Jūichimen Kannon. The temple's full name is Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera. The temple is the 16th stop on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage route. Along with Kōryū-ji and Kurama-dera, it is one of the few temples in Kyoto that predates the foundation of the capital to Heian-kyō. It is also one of Japan's leading temples dedicated to the worship of Kannon, along with Ishiyama-dera and Hase-dera. It is a famous tourist destination in Kyoto City,...
What Kiyomizu-dera Is
Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple built into the wooded hillside of eastern Kyoto, founded before the city itself and still active as a place of worship rather than a museum piece. Its best-known feature is the wooden main hall, raised on tall pillars above the slope, which gives sweeping views over the city. Below the hall, visitors line up to drink from the Otowa waterfall, whose three separated streams are traditionally associated with wishes for longevity, success at school, and love. The temple grounds also include a pagoda, subsidiary shrines, and stone paths that wind through the hillside.
Getting There
From central Kyoto Station, the temple is usually reached by city bus, with the ride to the nearest stop taking around 15-20 minutes. From there, a walk uphill through a lane of shops and traditional houses leads to the temple entrance; this approach walk itself takes about 10-15 minutes.
How Much Time to Allow
Most visitors spend one to two hours on site, including the walk through the main hall area, the waterfall, and the approach streets. Add extra time if you want to explore the smaller shrines and side paths on the grounds.
When to Go
The temple and its approach streets get busy, particularly around midday and on weekends. Arriving early in the morning is the most reliable way to avoid the largest crowds. Cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage weeks bring especially heavy visitor numbers, so plan accordingly if visiting then.
Nearby
- Yasaka Shrine (1.1km) - a Shinto shrine that can be combined with Kiyomizu-dera on foot.
- Chion-in Temple (1.2km) - another major temple within walking distance.
- Kyoto National Museum (1.2km) - a useful stop for those interested in Japanese art and history.
- Gion (1.3km) - Kyoto's traditional geisha district, often paired with a Kiyomizu-dera visit for a half-day route through eastern Kyoto.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
