This post is also available in: 日本語 Indonesia العربية
A World Cultural Heritage as Kyoto’s Representative
‘Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu Temple’ is a Buddhist temple located in Kiyomizu, Higashi-yama district, Kyoto City, Kyoto. Known as ‘Kiyomizu Temple’, it’s famous not only in Japan but also worldwide. It’s a popular tourist destination along with Kinkaku-ji Temple, Arashiyama, etc and was registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in December 1994.
Kiyomizu Temple is one of the few temples in Kyoto that has a long history that stands from the year 778 (stands for about 1200 years) before the capital was moved to Heiankyo (Heiankyo was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto). It’s one of the leading Kannon (Boddhisatva) sacred sites in Japan and the popular temple where 20% of the tourists to Kyoto are visiting.
The History of Kiyomizu Temple
Back to 1200 years ago before the capital was moved to Heiankyo (Kyoto now), Kiyomizu Temple has a long history. It was founded in 778. According to old literature, it’s written that a priest of Kofukuji Temple in Yamato Province called ‘Kenshin’ got a train in Kojima Temple, a temple of Koyasan Shingon sect of Kangakuji Temple in Nara Prefecture at that time, was told by an old man in a white robe who appears in his dream to go north for Kiyomizu.
Then he headed to the north as the man in his dream said and he arrived at Mt. Otowa, the land of Kiyomizu Temple. At Mt. Otowa, there’s a waterfall where pure water springs out and he met a hermit called ‘Gyoei Koji’ who was practicing on the banks of the waterfall. The 200 years old hermit said, ‘I was waiting for you to come, please carve a Senjyu Kannon (Boddhisatva) statue with this sacred tree and protect this Kannon’s sacred place’. Kenshin carved Senjyu Kannon on the sacred tree that handed over by the hermit, he said that Gyoei was the reincarnation of Kannon, and he continues to protect the land since then.
Two years later, Sakanoue no Tamura Maro, who entered Mt. Otowa to catch a deer, appears in front of Kenshin who was doing his training. Kenshin said to Sakanoue no Tamura Maro to stop killing any living creatures and teach him about the philosophy of ‘Kanzeon Bosatsu’ (Boddhisatva). Sakanoue no Tamura Maro who was deeply impressed by his teaching, built a temple to worship the statue in devotion to Kannon and that temple was named ‘Kiyomizu Temple’ after the pure waterfall that springs from Mt. Otowa.
The Construction That Create a Majestic Atmosphere
Probably, the most noticeable thing in Kiyomizu Temple is the main hall of wooden architecture built on a cliff. The height of the stage protruding from the main hall is about 13 meters, and it was strongly supported by the traditional Japanese construction method named ‘Kakezukuri’. It’s combined over 400 years old eighteen keyaki (zelkova) trees and 12 meters long of wood without using any nails. In Japanese, there’s an expression ‘jump off the stage of Kiyomizu’ which means making a bold decision, and the stage is literally staged in this main hall. Kiyomizu Temple is located on the hillside of Mt. Otowa and the view from there is superb.
The first thing you see when you enter Kiyomizu Temple is a gate called ‘Nio-mon'(Nio Gate). On both sides of this gate stand on Nio statues, and this gate also known as ‘Blindfold Gate’. Behind Nio-mon, there are west-gate and three-storied pagoda. All of them are vermillion and finely decorated construction.
‘Zuigudo’ enshrines ‘The Daizui Gubosatsu’, the great priest of Boddhisatva, who has great merit for granting people. In addition, you can experience a tour inside the Temple by enshrining the gods and Buddha of marriage, safe-deliver, and child-rising. Many pregnant women come to worship as a-prayer for safe-delivery.
Besides, there are other spots like ‘Kyodo’ and ‘Amidado’.
Not Only The Construction But Also Beautiful Landscape also Weaving with Nature
Kiyomizu Temple is surrounded by nature and because it’s built on the mountainside, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery each season from there. The gorgeous cherry blossom in full bloom in spring, the powerful dark green in summer, and the colorful autumn leaves in autumn collaborate with Kiyomizu Temple which is overwhelming. Besides, there are also a light-up event to enjoy the beautiful landscape at night and the ‘Kanji of the year’ announcement, as part of the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Association campaign where the priest powerfully writing one kanji that most popular in the national vote and airing in the TV station hold in the temple.
Try to visit Kiyomizu Temple, a popular tourist destination in Kyoto Prefecture in every different event and season.
| Address | 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0862 |
|---|---|
| Tel | 075-551-1234 |
| Business Hour | 6:00～18:00 （July and August 6:00～18:30） |
| Entrance Fee | Adult ：400 JPY Children (Elementary and Junior High Student)：200 JPY |
| Access | ・Get off at Kyoto Station, get a ride on Kyoto city bus to ‘Gojozaka’ / ‘Higashiyama Gozo’ and take 10 minutes walk ・Get off at Keihan Electric Railway ‘Gion Shijo Station’, get a ride on Kyoto city bus to ‘Kiyomizu’ or ‘Gojozaka’ and take 10 minutes walk / Get off at Keihan Electric Railway ‘Shichijo Station’, get a ride on Kyoto city bus to ‘Kiyomizudera Gion’ and take 10 minutes walk / Get off at Keihan Electric Railway ‘ Kiyomizu-Gojo Station’ and take 25 minutes walk |
| Homepage | https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/ |
Halal Restaurants in Kyoto
Cafe & Dining Amber Court
This restaurant offers a wide range of dishes, from simple ala carte to French courses. You can taste the exquisite chef’s skill in the bright and calm atmosphere. It’s also certified by Kyoto Halal Council, so Muslims can enjoy it with no worries.
| Address | Nikko Princess Kyoto Hotel 1F 630 Takahashi-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 600-8096 |
|---|---|
| Tel | 0476-34-6193 |
| Business Hour | 7:00-22:00 |
| Close Day | Open all year round |
| Homepage | https://www.princess-kyoto.co.jp/restaurant/ambercourt |
| Halal Gourmet Japan | https://www.halalgourmet.jp/ja/restaurant/426012 |
Airbnb Facilities Around There
