5 Facts You Might Not Know About Kiyomizu Temple In Kyoto

1. Kiyomizu Temple opens its door at 6am while everyone else is sleeping

In general, the opening hours of temples and shrines in Kyoto start from 9am, but Kiyomizu Temple opens its gate to visitors at 6am in the morning! Visiting the temple at dawn has its perks, as there are no traffic jams at this hour and the popular Kiyomizu is free from the usual tourist crowds. Enjoy a moment of quiet bliss and tranquility as you walk around the temple grounds. The earliest bus service from JR Kyoto Station bus terminal is usually from 5:33am, thus, even if you are not staying within walking distance, there is a way to get to Kiyomizu Temple!

2. Not a single nail was used for the construction of the verandah at the Main Hall!

The highlight of Kiyomizu Temple is the 13-meter-high (42.6-foot-high) verandah at the main hall. It composed of 139 trees and not a single nail was used to fix this iconic platform where hordes of visitors linger for a customary photo stop. The verandah was built using the method called ‘hell frame’. Although this verandah was built almost 400 years ago and no metal nails were used in its construction, it is still standing sturdy and in a good shape!

3. Blessed water from Otowa Waterfall to improve three aspects of life

The name of Kiyomizu-dera (its literal meaning is Pure Water Temple) originates from Otowa Waterfall, which you can see under the main verandah. There are three streams of water and it is believed that the blessed water can improve aspects of academic, relationships, and enhance longevity. The locals would visit to draw the water too, as this pure water is perfect for making coffee and tea.

4. All the sloped streets to Kiyomizu Temple are full of interesting shops and restaurants

There is a total of 5 slopes leading towards Kiyomizu Temple. Along all of these streets are numerous shops and cafes, which you will enjoy strolling around. It is, therefore, not so much of a challenge to climb up to Kiyomizu Temple! You can relax and take it easy! It is no wonder that Kiyomizu Temple is a popular destination; it is not only the site itself, but also the neighborhood that makes the area appealing.

5. Look out for the blue light that shines towards Heaven!

One is considered to be very lucky if you can visit Kyoto during one of its best seasons - at the time when the area is full of cherry blossoms during spring or red leaves during autumn. At this time, the night sky will be lit in a spectacular manner. Usually, the light-up event is from the end of March to early April (spring) and from mid-November to early December (autumn / winter) every year. Enjoy the very best views at these times! The blue beam can be seen in the easterly direction from Kyoto’s downtown area. Coming from Kiyomizu Temple, it shines in a direction (supposedly) towards Heaven, in the west! Do keep a lookout for it! You may find the schedule for the light-up events here.

Bonus: Book a Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Kiyomizu-dera Temple Walking Tour (87 USD)

In this three-hour excursion, you can experience and perform an authentic tea ceremony, right in the city where The Way of the Tea was born: Kyoto! The Japanese Tea Ceremony is a cultural activity that involves the ceremonial preparation of powdered green tea. This all-inclusive tour will also take you inside one of the most celebrated temples in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Here, you will learn about Japanese religious cultures, such as how they pray to and worship their gods, all while surrounded by numerous cherry and maple trees. As you journey through the ancient towns of Kyoto, your guide will take you to various shops where you can taste and sample local products such as pickles and sweets! And remember to keep your eyes peeled during the tour because, if you’re lucky enough, you might just spot a geisha or maiko!

Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Kiyomizu-dera Temple Walking Tour

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Duration: 3 hours

Price: 87 USD