Kiyomizudera is the most visited temple in Kyoto, built on a hillside above the Otowa Valley with a famous wooden stage cantilevered 13 metres above the valley floor. Here is the complete guide to visiting, the approach streets, and the best seasons.
Kiyomizudera (which translates as ‘pure water temple’) was first established in 778 and rebuilt in its current form in 1633 under the direction of the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu. The main hall’s wooden stage (butai) is constructed from 139 hinoki cypress pillars, with no nails. The phrase ‘jumping from the stage at Kiyomizudera’ is a Japanese idiom meaning to commit to a bold action.
Tickets and Opening Hours
Entry fee: 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for children. Covers the main hall and the inner sanctuary.
Opening hours: 6 am to 6 pm daily. Extended t9 pmpm during the spring illumination (late March to early April) and autumn illumination (mid-November to early December). The evening illuminations, when the temple is lit against the dark hillside, are among Kyoto’s most spectacular events but attract significant crowds. Book illumination entry in advance.
The Main Hall and Stage
The main hall houses the principal image of Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), which is not visible to the public, as it is a secret Buddha (hibutsu) shown only in rare unveilings. The wooden stage in front of the hall overlooks the Otowa Valley and offers the famous view of the hillside temple framed by maple trees (most spectacular in November) and cherry trees (late March to April).
The view back from the stage toward the Sanjunoto pagoda across the valley is the most photographed angle at the temple. For the classic photograph looking down at the stage, descend the staircase from the stage to the Otowa waterfall and look back up.
The Otowa Waterfall
At the base of the main hall, the Otowa waterfall splits into three separate streams. Visitors drink from the streams using long-handled cups (provided). Each stream is said to grant a different benefit: longevity, success in love, and success in studies. Drinking from all three is considered greedy. The queue for the waterfall is typically 15 to 30 minutes.
The Approach Streets
The climb to Kiyomizudera from Gojo or Kiyomizu-Gojo Station runs through Ninenzaka (二年坂) and Sannenzaka (三年坂), two preserved stone-paved lanes lined with machiya townhouses converted into shops, cafes, and restaurants. These lanes are the finest preserved merchant streetscapes in Kyoto and are as much a part of the Kiyomizudera visit as the temple itself.
The walk from Ninenzaka to the temple gate takes about 20 minutes at a shopping pace. The lanes are busy from 10 am onward and at their most atmospheric in the early morning or evening.
Best Time to Visit Kiyomizudera
Cherry blossom (late March to early April): The hillside maples and the temple stag,e framed by cherry trees, are among Kyoto’s iconic spring views. Very crowded but genuinely beautiful.
Autumn (mid to late November): See the Kyoto in November guide for the full foliage timing. Kiyomizudera is one of the best spots for autumn foliage in the city.
Avoiding crowds: Arrive before 8 am on any day. The temple is officially open from 6 am, and the early morning before tour groups arrive is genuinely tranquil.
