World by City

Temples & religious sites

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Open in Maps
Kiyomizu-dera Temple

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.

Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip Official site

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Kiyomizu-dera Temple Nearby stays

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Pick your dates — we'll search Kyoto hotels for you

Choose dates and guests, and the buttons below will open search results with your criteria. Prices differ between sites, so compare before you book.

View on Compare sites 부킹닷컴 View on Booking.com 호텔스닷컴 View on Hotels.com

Hotel membership

Staying at Accor hotels often? ALL Accor+ Explorer

A paid annual membership. It includes two free nights a year across Asia-Pacific, 30% off dining and 15% off drinks, and 15% off stays at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide.

Explore the membership

Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Kyoto 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Kyoto grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

3 nights, 4 days

Kyoto 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Kyoto grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Yasaka Shrine

Temples & religious sites

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine sits at the eastern end of Shijo Street in Kyoto's Gion district and was formerly known as Gion-sha. It enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto as its principal deity, along with his consort Kushinadahime and their eight children.

1.1 km away
Chion-in Temple

Temples & religious sites

Chion-in Temple

Chion-in is a temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama district and the head temple of the Jodo Shu (Pure Land) sect, founded by the Kamakura-era monk Honen (1133–1212). As the spiritual center of Pure Land Buddhism, whose practice centers on chanting Amida Buddha's name for rebirth in paradise, it welcomes visitors through a massive wooden sanmon gate into a sprawling complex that climbs the hillside beyond.

1.2 km away
Kyoto National Museum

Museums & galleries

Kyoto National Museum

The Kyoto National Museum is one of Japan's leading art museums, holding and exhibiting a collection centered on pre-modern Japanese and Asian art. Its wide-ranging holdings—Buddhist sculpture, paintings, ceramics, and crafts passed down from temples and noble families across Kyoto and the Kansai region—make it an ideal stop for travelers wanting an overview of classical Japanese art.

1.2 km away
Gion

Shopping & districts

Gion

Gion is a district in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward that originated as an entertainment quarter formed during the Sengoku period to serve pilgrims and travelers visiting Yasaka Shrine. It later grew into one of Japan's foremost geisha (geiko and maiko) districts, and its narrow lanes lined with wooden buildings, traditional teahouses, and exclusive restaurants still preserve that old-world atmosphere.

1.3 km away
Mimizuka

Heritage & monuments

Mimizuka

Mimizuka is a mound where Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army buried the noses cut from Korean soldiers and civilians, as well as Ming Chinese troops, during the Japanese invasions of Korea, brought back as proof of military achievements. It was originally called "Hanazuka" (Nose Mound) before later being renamed.

1.4 km away
Sanjūsangen-dō Temple

Temples & religious sites

Sanjūsangen-dō Temple

Sanjūsangen-dō is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama district, known for the vast rows of Kannon statues lining its main hall. The main draw is the interior itself, a long wooden hall filled with life-size statues that together create a striking space. Because the hall is quite large, it takes some time to walk through it at a leisurely pace.

1.4 km away