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Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage on tall pillars above red and orange autumn maples, a red pagoda on the left
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Paid — about ¥500 for adults according to guides
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Opening
At 6:00; closing depends on the season
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
1 h 30 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Evening illumination
21–30 November 2026, until 21:30 (last entry 21:00)
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Main hall
1633, a wooden stage over a cliff
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Seasons
≈ 1,500 cherry trees and ≈ 1,000 maples
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Getting there
Bus 206 or 100 to Gojozaka + 10 minutes on foot
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Coordinates
34.99483, 135.78500YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1,250+ yearsago the temple was founded at a pure spring on Mount Otowa
Sourcekiyomizudera.or.jp
1633the year the present main hall and West Gate were built
Sourcekiyomizudera.or.jp
UNESCOpart of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
Sourceen.wikipedia
Kannonthe main image — the eleven-headed, thousand-armed goddess of mercy
Sourcekiyomizudera.or.jp
3 streamsof the Otowa waterfall, which gave the temple its name
Sourcekiyomizudera.or.jp
≈ 1,500cherry trees bloom here in spring
Sourcekiyomizudera.or.jp
≈ 1,000maples turn red in autumn
Sourcekiyomizudera.or.jp
6:00the temple's opening time
Sourcekiyomizudera.or.jp

What is Kiyomizu-dera?

Kiyomizu-dera, the 'temple of pure water', is one of Japan's most famous Buddhist temples. It stands halfway up Mount Otowa in Higashiyama, eastern Kyoto. According to the official site, the temple is more than 1,250 years old: its story began when a monk found a pure spring here. It's part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

The Hondo main hall was built in 1633 on the edge of a cliff. In front of it is a huge wooden stage on tall pillars, assembled using traditional Japanese methods, with views over all of Kyoto. Inside is the temple's main image, a statue of the eleven-headed, thousand-armed Kannon, goddess of mercy.

How the temple works

The approach begins at the red Nio-mon gate, the main entrance. Nearby are the West Gate of 1633, a spot for watching the sunset, and a red three-storey pagoda. Then come the main hall with its stage and the Okuno-in hall, whose own stage offers the best view of the main hall against the city.

Below Okuno-in runs the Otowa waterfall, the spring that gave the temple its name. Its water falls in three streams, and visitors catch it in long-handled ladles. In spring about 1,500 cherry trees bloom, and in autumn about 1,000 maples turn red — the best and busiest seasons.

What to see

  • The wooden stage of the main hall over the cliff.
  • The Nio-mon gate and three-storey pagoda.
  • The West Gate — a sunset spot.
  • Okuno-in hall — the best view of the stage.
  • The Otowa waterfall with its three streams.
  • Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka streets below.

How to get to Kiyomizu-dera

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on footdestinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

On foot

  • Yasaka Shrine is about 21 min away on foot.
  • Gion is about 23 min away on foot.

More tips

  1. From Kyoto Station — city bus 206 or 100 to Gojozaka, then about 10 minutes uphill.
  2. From Gion and Kawaramachi — bus 207 to Kiyomizu-michi, about 10 minutes on foot.
  3. Kiyomizu-Gojo station (Keihan) — about 25 minutes on foot.
  4. On foot from Gion — via Yasaka Shrine and Ninenzaka, about 20 minutes.
  5. From Kansai airport — Haruka to Kyoto Station, about 1 hour 20 minutes, then the bus.

Morning or the evening illumination

Morningyou are hereFew at openingThe city in morning lightEvery day from 6:00Easy
Evening illuminationBusyLit temple and maples21–30 November 2026, spring and AugustCrowded

How long do you need?

Allow 1–1.5 hours for the temple, or half a day with a walk along the old streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka below. It's easy to walk down from here to Yasaka Shrine and Gion.

In winter and early in the morning the temple is nearly empty, while in cherry and maple season people stream up in a solid line — allow extra time for the climb.

Is Kiyomizu-dera worth visiting?

Yes: it's one of Kyoto's symbols — the stage over the cliff and the view of the city from the mountainside stay with you.

The YesGo take: by day it draws some of the heaviest crowds in Japan, and the way up runs through narrow souvenir streets. Come at 6:00 opening or for the evening illumination, and be sure to look at the main hall from the Okuno-in stage.

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Kyoto temples: compare and choose

Temples and shrines in Kyoto rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Fushimi Inari Shrine552 hFree3.2 km
Kiyomizu-derayou are here511 h 30 min≈ ¥500—
Kinkaku-ji4845 min¥5007.2 km
Yasaka Shrine4830 minFree20 min walk
Philosopher's Path401 hFree3.5 km
Sanjusangen-do3845 minabout ¥60025 min walk
Ryoan-ji3745 min¥6007.5 km
Arashiyama283 hFree10.9 km

Higashiyama in a day

Kiyomizu-dera in the morning, Yasaka Shrine in the afternoon, and Gion in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Kiyomizu-derayou are here1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥500
  2. 20 min walk from the previous stopYasaka Shrine30 min · free
  3. 6 min walk from the previous stopGion1 h 30 min · free

3 places · about 3 h 56 min with walks · 26 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Yasaka Shrine

Kyoto, Japan

30 min · free · 20 min walk

Gion

Kyoto, Japan

1 h 30 min · free · 23 min walk

Sanjusangen-do

Kyoto, Japan

45 min · about ¥600 · 25 min walk

How to do it right

  • Come at 6:00 opening — no crowds.
  • The best stage view is from Okuno-in.
  • Catch Otowa water with a ladle.
  • Illumination: 21–30 November 2026.
  • Next: Yasaka Shrine.

Questions

What time does Kiyomizu-dera open?

At 6:00; closing time depends on the season.

How much is entry?

It's paid; according to guides, about ¥500 for adults.

When is the evening illumination?

21–30 November 2026 — until 21:30, last entry 21:00.

How do I get there?

Bus 206 or 100 from Kyoto Station to Gojozaka, then 10 minutes on foot.

What is the Otowa waterfall?

A sacred spring in three streams that gave the temple its name.

When is the best time to go?

At opening in the morning or for the evening illumination.

How long do you need?

1–1.5 hours, half a day with the old streets.

Is there parking?

No, it's best to come by bus or taxi.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Temple official site (kiyomizudera.or.jp/en) — 6:00 opening, 2026 illumination, 1633 buildings, waterfall, trees, access, parking (checked 09.11.2026)
  • English Wikipedia: Kiyomizu-dera — UNESCO listing
  • Guides — entry price, crowds (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q221716 — coordinates
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 09.11.2026 ·
How we checkedOpening time, 2026 illumination dates, building dates, the main image, the waterfall, the numbers of cherry trees and maples, buses and traffic rules are from the official site. We couldn't find the entry price on official pages — guides say ¥500, which we mark unconfirmed. UNESCO status is from Wikipedia. We leave out the gates' earlier history. We don't give the stage height — sources disagree.

Top YesGo picks: Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji

Kyoto, Japan

45 min · ¥500

Nijo Castle

Kyoto, Japan

1 h 30 min · ¥800; with Ninomaru ¥1,300

Ryoan-ji

Kyoto, Japan

45 min · ¥600

Arashiyama

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3 h · grove free; Tenryu-ji garden ¥500

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