The name “Kiyomizu” means “pure water.” It comes from the spring on Mt. Otowa, which has flowed without stopping for centuries. The water now runs into the Otowa Waterfall.
The temple grounds cover 130,000 square meters on the side of Mt. Otowa in the Higashiyama hills. More than 30 buildings stand here, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. Most of them were rebuilt in the early Edo period. In 1994, the temple was registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.”
The main hall is a National Treasure. Its large wooden stage is known as the “Stage of Kiyomizu.” The stage sticks out over a cliff. It is built in the “Kakezukuri” style and held up by zelkova pillars up to 12 meters long.
Address
1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0862
Google MapTEL
075-551-1234
Official Website
Access
From JR Kyoto Station:
Take Kyoto City Bus No. 100 or 206 to "Gojozaka" and walk about 10 minutes. No transfer is needed.
About 15 minutes by bus, plus 10 minutes on foot.
