Why Kiyomizu-dera Temple Should Be
On Your Kyoto Itinerary
Higashiyama, Kyoto, September 7, 2019
Halfway up Mount Otowa, one of the peaks in Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountain range, stands the majestic Kiyomizu-dera temple. Founded in 778 CE, this sacred site, known as “Kannon Reijo“, attracts numerous visitors who come to pay their respect to Kannon, the deity of mercy and abundant compassion. In Japanese, ‘Reijo’ means ‘ a holy place’.
Higashiyama Ward
The journey to Kiyomizu-dera Temple is an experience in itself. We took a 10-minute bus ride from Kyoto station to the Kiyomizu-michi bust stop. From the there, we made our way to Chawanzaka street. This historic street is lined with shops selling souvenirs, pottery, and traditional Japanese Crafts.
Chawanzaka street is located within the Higashiyama Ward of Kyoto. This district encompasses many historic site, including Ninenzaka, where we found a unique Starbucks from the Taisho-era, and Sannenzaka, which are also popular routed that leads to the temple. It’s also home to numerous temples, shrines, and other cultural landmarks. Walking though Higashiyama Ward feels like stepping back in time. The narrow lanes, wooden buildings, and traditional merchant shops offer a charming walk through old Kyoto that evokes the atmosphere of feudal-era Japan. In the distance, we could see the top of Kiyomizu-dera temple.
Walking though Higashiyama Ward feels like stepping back in time. The narrow lanes, wooden buildings, and traditional merchant shops offer a charming walk through old Kyoto that evokes the atmosphere of feudal-era Japan. In the distance, we could see the top of Kiyomizu-dera temple.
As we approach the temple ground, the road begins to get steeper and we encountered a few stairs. Though these steps are not too challenging, in a hot summer days, could really take some toll.
The Temple Ground
We arrived at the gate of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The grand gate is known as Niomon Gate, which means the “Gate of the Guardian Kings, has a rich history that dates back to early 16th century. This vibrant red gate, adorned with intricate carvings and guardian statues, marks the beginning of our journey into the temple grounds.
The grounds of Kiyomizu-dera Temple are expansive and filled with numerous buildings and landmarks, each with it’s own unique history and significance. The area is composed of various structures and wonders, including temples, towers, and shrines.
Although there were many visitors when we went, the temple grounds are so vast that it never felt crowded. As we explored, we became immersed in the rich cultural heritage of Japan.
One of the most iconic structures that cought our attention when entering the temple complex is the Sanjunoto, or the There-story Pagoda. Constructed in 1632 during the Edo period, this impressive architectural marvel was built using traditional Japanese carpentry techniques, which involve intricate joinery and the use of wooden beams assembly without nails.
Rising to a height of 31 meter (just over 100 feet), it stands as one of the tallest three-story pagodas in Japan. The pagoda features a beautiful wooden verandas, knows as engawa, which encircle each level. The gracefully curved roofs and intricately carved eaves reflect the artistic style of the Edo period.
Beyond its architectural splendor, the Sanjunoto holds deep spiritual significance. The three stories of Sanjunoto represent the three realms of existence in Buddhism: the realm of desire, the realm of form, and the formless realm.
Adjacent to the Three-story Pagoda is a Buddhist temple that offers a unique vantage point over Kyoto. From this elevated position, we could see a different perspective of the city, capturing a sweeping panoramic view that includes both the serene temple grounds and the bustling shops and streets outside.
We took the opportunity to snap plenty of selfies here, but after along walk on a hot summer day, Nathan was pretty tired and agitated, as you can see from his look. He looks cute angry, but he was having none of it. We were drenched in sweat at this point too, but the incredible view made it all worthwhile.
We came across the Sentai Sakibutsugun, which translates to “Group of One Thousand Stone Buddhas“. It’s a collection of stone statues that were gathered from various location around Kyoto. These statues, including representations of Dainichi Nyorai, Amida Nyorai, and Kannon Bodhisattva, were originally enshrined in different neighborhoods.
This area is a bit hidden in the north part of the temple and less crowded than the main temple grounds. The stones statues, weathered by time, gave us a sense of serenity and tranquility when we walked by them.
A lesser-known yet fascinating part of the temple complex is the Tamurado, also known as the Hall of the Founder. It’s dedicated to Enchin Shonin, the priest who founded Kiyomizu-dera in 778 CE. This hall serves as a tribute to his contributions and spiritual legacy he left behind.
Unfortunately, as you can see behind the Tamurado, the Main Hall was closed for renovation during our visit, so we didn’t get a chance to go inside. Sometimes, we don’t get to see everything but that’s part of of travelling. We still had a great time and were in awe exploring the surrounding compounds.
Chubokuchaya
After finishing our sighseeing of the temple grounds and feeling like the heat was cooking us alive, we stumbled uopn a small food vendor called Chubokuchaya. Conveniently located close to the temple grounds but away from the busy streets. It was the perfect spot for a break.
We decided to try their green tea Kakigori (Japanese shaved ice dessert). It was incredibly refreshing to enjoy a cold shaved ice after a long walk in a hot summer day. The cool, sweet treat was just what we needed to recharge and continue our adventure. It made our little guy so happy!
This tea and dessert house is very charming with simple traditional decor and wooden firnisihing. It’s a delightful stop for anyone exploring the Kiyomizu-dera Temple area.
Heading Over To Yasaka Shrine
Now that we’re all refreshed from our delightful shaved ice desserts, it’s time to move on to our next destination. From Kiyomizu-dera Temple, we’re heading towards Yasaka Shrine, about 2 kilometers away from where we are.
This time, we’ll take a stroll through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, the other charming streets in Higashiyama Ward. Along the way, there are some must see shops and a unique Starbucks store that is beautifully built and preserved in a Taisho-era building. We’ve been eagerly looking forward to visit this store, so come along with us!
