# Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto

> Kiyomizu-dera, the 'temple of pure water', stands on the slopes of Mount Otowa and is a UNESCO site. Its 1633 main hall sits on a huge wooden stage over a cliff, with views across all of Kyoto, and below it the Otowa waterfall runs in three streams. The temple opens at 6:00. Evening illumination runs 21–30 November 2026 until 21:30. It's a 10-minute walk uphill from the Gojozaka bus stop.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kiyomizu-dera

- City: [Kyoto](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto), Japan
- YesGo score: 51/100 (Yes, go)
- Time on site: 1 h 30 min
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Opening: At 6:00; closing depends on the season
- Evening illumination: 21–30 November 2026, until 21:30 (last entry 21:00)
- Entry: Paid — about ¥500 for adults according to guides
- Main hall: 1633, a wooden stage over a cliff
- Seasons: ≈ 1,500 cherry trees and ≈ 1,000 maples
- Getting there: Bus 206 or 100 to Gojozaka + 10 minutes on foot
- Coordinates: 34.99483, 135.78500
- Facts checked: 09.11.2026

## Key facts

- **1,250+ years** — ago the temple was founded at a pure spring on Mount Otowa (source: kiyomizudera.or.jp)
- **1633** — the year the present main hall and West Gate were built (source: kiyomizudera.or.jp)
- **UNESCO** — part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (source: en.wikipedia)
- **Kannon** — the main image — the eleven-headed, thousand-armed goddess of mercy (source: kiyomizudera.or.jp)
- **3 streams** — of the Otowa waterfall, which gave the temple its name (source: kiyomizudera.or.jp)
- **≈ 1,500** — cherry trees bloom here in spring (source: kiyomizudera.or.jp)
- **≈ 1,000** — maples turn red in autumn (source: kiyomizudera.or.jp)
- **6:00** — the temple's opening time (source: kiyomizudera.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.

> **Illumination and crowds** According to the official site, the temple opens at 6:00, and closing time varies by season. By day, especially from 10:00 to 16:00, the stage is packed — come at opening. From 21 to 30 November 2026 there's an evening illumination: the temple stays open until 21:30, with last entry at 21:00. The street at the main gate is closed to traffic from 8:00 to 19:00, and there's no temple car park.

## 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

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

|  | Morning | Evening illumination |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Crowds | Few at opening | Busy |
| View | The city in morning light | Lit temple and maples |
| When | Every day from 6:00 | 21–30 November 2026, spring and August |
| Stage photos | Easy | Crowded |

## 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.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] An early arrival — by 6:00
- [ ] Good shoes — it's uphill
- [ ] Cash for entry
- [ ] Evening illumination 21–30 November
- [ ] Walking down to Yasaka and Gion

## Kyoto temples: compare and choose

Temples and shrines in Kyoto rated by YesGo.

- [Fushimi Inari Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/fushimi-inari) — YesGo score 55/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h · free
- [Kiyomizu-dera](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kiyomizu-dera) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥500
- [Kinkaku-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kinkaku-ji) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥500
- [Yasaka Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/yasaka-shrine) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free
- [Philosopher's Path](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/philosophers-path) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · free
- [Sanjusangen-do](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/sanjusangen-do) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · about ¥600
- [Ryoan-ji](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/ryoan-ji) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ¥600
- [Arashiyama](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/arashiyama) — YesGo score 28/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · grove free; Tenryu-ji garden ¥500

## 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-dera](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/kiyomizu-dera) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥500
2. [Yasaka Shrine](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/yasaka-shrine) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free
3. [Gion](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/gion) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · free

## Good to know

Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera is not the temples of the same name in other Japanese cities. Online maps sometimes route you to a service entrance — follow the signs via Matsubara-dori or Chawan-zaka.

## Tips

- 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](https://yesgo.io/japan/kyoto/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.

## How we checked

Opening 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.

## Sources

- 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

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