Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple) is one of oldest Buddhist temples in Japan. The temple is the UNESCO World Heritage site as part of ancient Kyoto.
But it also one of famous suicide spots of Japan. “To jump off the stage at Kiyomizu” is a Japanese slang to express “to take the plunge”. Why?

Kiyomizu-dera locates at a strategic spot on a steep hill in eastern Kyoto

You need clean yourself here before enter the temple

The famous Main Hall is supported by 139 giant pillars, offers a wonderful view of the Kyoto.

three-story pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera locates at a strategic spot on a cliff in eastern Kyoto. It’s named as the waterfall of nearby hills. Kiyomizu means pure water.

Kiyomizu-dera was built at 798 AD by Enchin, a student of Xuanzang (a famous Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator of the early Tang period). So Kiyomizudera’s architecture has been influenced by the architecture of Tang Dynasty and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Though its present buildings were rebuilt in 1633.

What to see at Kiyomizu-dera?

main hall:
The main hall, which supported by 139 giant pillars without a single nail, is designated as a National Treasure. It locates at  a top of cliff and offers a wonderful view of the Kyoto.

What to do at Kiyomizu-dera?

* Find the reason why they should ”jump off the stage at Kiyomizu”:
During the Edo period, there is a saying that if somebody could survive from a 13 m jump from the stage, his/her wish would be granted. 234 jumps were recorded during the Edo period and 85.4% survived. Thus became the popular expression “to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu” , which means “to take the plunge” today in Japan. Of course, This kind of crazy jump is now prohibited.

* Drink some water of waterfall:
Beneath the main hall is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of water drop into a pond. The water is believed to have therapeutic functions. It is said that the three streams of water confers wisdom, health, and longevity. But you can only choose two — Or you are consided as a greedy person by god.
There were too many people standing in a long line for the magic water, I had to leave without a try.

* Find love at love stones:
The temple includes a  Jishu Shrine, dedicated to Ōkuninushi, a god of love and “good matches”. Jishu Shrine possesses a pair of “love stones” which placed 18 meters apart. If you succeed to walk between from one stone to anther with your eyes closed. That means you will find love soon.

* Buy something interesting:
The Kiyomizu-dera also offers various talismans, incense, and omikuji (paper fortunes). Many traditional holiday foodstuffs will be also sold here during festivals (especially New Year’s and obon in the summer).

Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera(Pure Water Temple) Travel Guide:

Address:
1 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Fee:
300 yen

Open time:
Daily 6:00 to 18:00 (regular hours)

How to get there:
Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station in about 15 minutes by bus. Take bus number 100 or 206 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka. From there it is a 10-15 minute uphill walk to the temple.

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Tags: Japan Travel, Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Travel Guide

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