Kiyomizu-dera is the temple of pure water because it was built around the Otowa waterfall, which flows spring water from the mountain. The temple has been burned down several times, a reoccurring theme in Japan it seems. The current buildings were rebuilt during the Edo period. The temple is now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Deva Gate

West Gate

Hideously colored pagoda

The main hall (hondo) houses the eleven faced and thousands armed statue of Kannon. The infamous extended Kiyomizu stage is made out of wood 12 meters high and held together without nails.

No nails used to support the stage….

You may drink the water from the Otowa waterfall. Each stream represents  longevity, academic success, or fortunate love life. You may drink from more than one stream but to drink from all three streams is seen as greedy.

Loved the spring mountain back drop.

View of Kyoto.

Secret pagoda for some peace and quiet away from the people pollution.

Admission: 400 yen

(294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862 Japan)