Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Overview

Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera is the head temple of the Kita-Hosso school of Buddhism, set on the hills of Higashiyama-ku in Kyoto. Its principal image is a hidden statue of the Eleven-Headed, Thousand-Armed Kannon, and the temple is the 16th stop on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage as well as a station on the Rakuyo Kannon route. Its vast grounds of some 130,000 sq m are inscribed as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing pilgrims and visitors in every season.

Highlights

• ●The National Treasure Main Hall built in kakezukuri style
• ●A revered hidden image of the Thousand-Armed Kannon
• ●The venerable 16th station of the Saigoku pilgrimage
• ●Jishu Shrine, renowned for matchmaking

History

By tradition the temple was founded in 778 by the monk Enchin. Along with temples such as Koryu-ji and Kurama-dera, it is one of the few in Kyoto whose history predates the move of the capital to Heian-kyo. Originally of the Hosso school, it passed through several affiliations over the centuries and today stands independently as the Kita-Hosso school. Its Main Hall, jutting out over the hillside in the traditional kakezukuri method, is designated a National Treasure.

Map

34.9948, 135.7850 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Climb the Kiyomizu-zaka shops and pass the Nio Gate
2. 2Pay respects to the hidden Kannon in the National Treasure hall
3. 3Take in the city view from the kakezukuri veranda
4. 4Visit Jishu Shrine to pray for good relationships

Did you know?

💡 Within the grounds stands Jishu Shrine, famed for matchmaking and long revered alongside the Main Hall. Since 1995 the temple has become known nationwide for the Kanji of the Year, brushed in the Main Hall each 12 December, Kanji Day, to sum up the year.

Nearby spots