Kyoto · Higashiyama and Gion
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
According to the temple, Kiyomizu-dera was founded in 778 around the Otowa waterfall, which gave it its name: pure water. The water of the falls is often called the water of long life. It comes down in three streams, and you drink from it with a long-handled ladle.
The main hall, a National Treasure, was rebuilt in 1633 on the side of the mountain, and its veranda rests on a structure of wooden pillars in a traditional Japanese building method. Oku-no-in, right above the waterfall, was built in the same year with a similar veranda and was restored in 2017. From it you see the main hall and the veranda from the side.
At the entrance stand the red Niomon gate, about 14 meters high, and the three-story pagoda, about 30 meters, which was rebuilt in 1632 and can be seen from across the city. In the Zuigu-do hall they hold Tainai-meguri, a walk through the womb of the bodhisattva, with a limited number of participants.
Good to know
- Across the whole temple grounds, including the plaza in front of the Niomon gate, eating and walking around with food is not allowed. Only a drink in a closed bottle is permitted, so eat the sweets from the lanes before you go up.
- Jishu Shrine, the small matchmaking shrine next to the main hall, is closed for renovation, and as of September 2026 there is no reopening date.
- The counters for amulets and stamps (goshuin) open only at around 08:00, even though the gate opens at 06:00.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
- HereKiyomizu-dera Temple
- ~2 min
Asahido Kiyomizu-yaki Shopping
A ceramics shop that opened in 1870 near the temple gate, on the Kiyomizu-zaka slope. Kiyomizu-yaki ware from old kilns and from young artists, with a gallery and a cafe on the second floor.
- ~4 min
Bien Kyoto Vegan Cafe Food
A vegan cafe that opened in fall 2025 on the Chawanzaka slope, steps from Kiyomizu-dera: vegan ramen, sushi and sandwiches, ice cream and ma
- ~5 min
Shichimiya Honpo Shopping
At the junction of Kiyomizu-zaka and Sannenzaka since 1655. At first it was a teahouse that served pilgrims hot water with mustard. Later shichimi, chili with six more ingredients, was invented here, and the shop changed its name to match.
- ~6 min
Umezono Kiyomizu Cafe
A branch of a Kyoto sweets house founded in 1927, on Sannenzaka. The known dish is mitarashi dango, grilled rice dumplings in a sweet soy sauce.
- ~10 min
Kasagiya Cafe
A sweets house on the Ninenzaka steps, open since 1914, with paintings by the artist Takehisa Yumeji on the walls. Ohagi in three colors, or zenzai, a sweet red bean soup with grilled mochi, ¥900. Cash only and no reservations.
More in Higashiyama and Gion
Appears in: Higashiyama: Kiyomizu-dera in the morning, the Sannenzaka lanes, and Gion in the evening