Kiyomizu-dera Temple has a history spanning over 1200 years and boasts overwhelming popularity among all of Kyoto.

After you climb the long, uphill road to the temple, you will be greeted by the sight of the vermillion-lacquered Nio-mon gate.

Further up the stairs stands the 31-meter-tall three-storied pagoda - among the tallest pagodas in all of Japan. It is easily visible from downtown Kyoto, making it a favorite, symbolic feature of the temple, along with the temple's Main Hall stage.

The three-storied pagoda, with its vibrant vermillion color, also has excellent popularity as a photography subject. It makes a beautiful photograph from every angle. A Dainichi Nyorai Buddha is enshrined inside.

After passing through the Nio-mon gate and walking up the temple path, directly in front of you will be Jishin-in Temple. It is also known as Zuigudo, named after the Buddhist deity enshrined there. The temple was reconstructed in 1718.

Enshrined inside are numerous Shinto and Buddhist deities of marriage, birth, children, and more, including the main deity, kept secluded from sight and which is also the temple's namesake, Daizuigubosatsu.

One thing you'll want to try at Zuigudo is the "Tainai Meguri." Visitors can walk through a pitch-black area, designed to resemble the womb of a Buddhist saint, relying on the large juzu prayer beads affixed to the walls like handrails to find their way.

You won't be able to see which way to go in the pure darkness, only able to feel the floor beneath your feet and the juzu beads in your hands.

Eventually, a stone faintly illuminated by light and inscribed with the Sanskrit characters for Daizuigubosatsu will appear.

Walk around the stone and say a prayer, then return through the darkness, surrounded by the mystical sensation of being born anew.

Kiyomizu-dera's main hall was built to enshrine Seiju Kannon, a Buddhist goddess with one thousand arms, and stands on top of a cliff.

It was built using the old Japanese traditional construction method of "Kakezukuri," characterized by wood joined in a lattice pattern. The stage is thought to have been built due to the influx of visitors to the temple accompanying the rise in belief in the goddess Kannon beginning in the Heian era. It is said that along with the influx of visitors, the front of the Main Hall was little by little expanded until the stage was jutting out into mid-air.

The 18 wooden pillars supporting the stage were made from the wood of keyaki trees over 400 years old and fixed in place without the use of a single nail. The Main Hall's cypress bark roof is undergoing rethatching construction from February 2017 until March 2020, so it is completely covered, but visitors can enter the shrine as usual.

After leaving the Main Hall, you can follow the path to tour the rest of the halls, including the Shaka-do Hall, Amida-do Hall, and Inner Sanctuary.

The Inner Sanctuary is built directly above the Otowa Waterfall, and its stage is made with the same distinctive kakezukuri technique as the Main Hall.

From the Inner Sanctuary stage, you can enjoy a view of the Main Hall above the valley filled with cherry blossoms and fall leaves. You can also look out over all of Kyoto City, making this a recommended photography spot.

On the opposite side, between the Main Hall and the valley, the pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera's sub-temple, Taizan-ji Temple stands. It was created as a shrine to worship Koyasu Kannon (Senju Kannon), goddess of safe childbirth, and is accordingly known as the Pagoda of Safe Childbirth and well-known as a place to pray for easy and healthy childbirth. Follow the visitor's route from the pagoda downhill to arrive at Otowa Waterfall.

Otowa Waterfall, the origin of the temple's name (Kiyomizu-dera meaning "clean/pure water temple" in Japanese), is always attended by a long line of temple visitors.

It is said that Buddhist monk Enchin Shonin was led through a divine revelation in a dream to the waterfall, and there he opened Kiyomizu-dera.

The three streams of the falls' freely flowing water have long been known as "Golden Water" and "Water of Longevity." Use the long-handled ladle to scoop up and drink some of the water and pray for various wishes to be granted.

Accordingly to some folklore, each of the three waterfalls is sometimes said to have different benefits, but apparently, they are all equally beneficial.

Kiyomizudera Temple bestows many various good luck charms. Still, the most popular among tourists from both Japan and overseas is the cute "good luck sakura bell" charm, with its flower lattice design and clear and pretty bell chime. The "good fortune charm" of tiny, crinkled shells is also cute.

Get one of the exclusive good luck charms available only at the temple for whatever your wish, whether for general protection, luck in marriage, or a charm to stave off headaches.

Don't overlook the "Mini Daikoku" charm of the Shusse Daikokuten deity enshrined in the Main Hall, either. The blue dragon god charm, containing the sacred water of Otowa Waterfall inside, and the charm of the Fudo-myo-o deity enshrined by the waterfall should also bring great blessings.

Since ancient history, taking a walk through the adjoining town is a common custom after paying a visit to a temple or shrine.

When you visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, be sure to enjoy the small town along the road leading to the temple as well. Including Chawan-zaka Slope, packed with pottery shops, and the San-nen-zaka and Ni-nen-zaka Slopes headed toward Gion, the temple road is lined with souvenir shops and is always busy with tourists.

So what about Kiyomizudera Temple area souvenirs? Here there are many products uniquely found in Kyoto, from wagashi (Japanese sweets) and tsukemono (Japanese pickles) souvenirs to ceramics, Kyoto dolls, fans, and other traditional craft goods; you're bound to have trouble choosing just one. There are also plenty of shops selling boiled tofu, soba, and desserts so that you can get your fill of Kyoto cuisine as well.

Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited within Kiyomizu-dera Temple premises. In some areas, including the Main Hall Stage, tripod photography is prohibited, so follow the posted guidelines.

Text by:word