1. Home
  2. Kansai
  3. Kyoto Prefecture
  4. Kyoto City
  5. Places
  6. Kiyomizu-dera
Temple · Kyoto · Kansai

Kiyomizu-dera

清水寺

Buddhist temple on a Kyoto hillside featuring a cantilevered wooden stage, UNESCO World Heritage site with treasured religious artifacts.

Kiyomizu-dera Exterior
Kiyomizu-dera Exterior © Jordy Meow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opening hours
Mon–Sun06:00–18:00
Holidays06:00–18:00
Admission
Standard
Adult¥300
Links
Official websiteJapanese
Access
1-294, Kiyomizu, Kyoto-Shi Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto 〒 605-0862

Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple located in Kyoto, Japan. The temple is built on a hillside, offering visitors a beautiful view of the city. The name "Kiyomizu" means "pure water", and the temple is named after the nearby Otowa waterfall, which flows through the temple grounds. The temple is known for its wooden stage that juts out from the main hall, offering a spectacular view of the city. The stage is supported by 13 meters tall pillars and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kiyomizu-dera is also famous for its many cultural and religious artifacts, including a statue of the eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon, a Buddhist deity of compassion. The temple is a popular tourist destination and offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Japanese culture and architecture.

At Hey Japan!, we strive to keep the places listed on our website as current as possible. However, location owners or management may alter opening times or modify admission requirements without prior notice. Check official websites before visiting.

Advertisement
Nearby

Places nearby

Temple

Kennin-ji Temple

Kennin-ji, located in Kyoto's Gion district, is the oldest Zen temple in the city, founded in 1202 as the head temple of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism branch.

Kyoto · Kyoto
Shrine

Yasaka Jinja Shrine

A Kyoto shrine tracing its origins to 656, dedicated to Susanoo-no-mikoto and his consort, with its main hall designated a National Treasure in 2020.

Kyoto · Kyoto
Temple

Tofukuji Temple

Tofukuji is one of Kyoto's great Zen temples, celebrated for its sweeping maple valley and the modern garden surrounding the abbot's quarters.

Kyoto · Kyoto
Keep exploring

You might also like

Temple

Ginkaku-ji

Zen temple from the late 15th century with a garden of sand and stone featuring a pond, inspired by but never covered with silver like Kinkaku-ji.

Kyoto
Temple

Shokoku-ji

Fourteenth-century Zen temple in Kyoto founded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, featuring traditional gardens, rock gardens and renowned sub-temples.

Kyoto
Temple

Tōdai-ji

Established in 738, this Nara temple houses the largest bronze Buddha statue and serves as headquarters of the Kegon Buddhist school.

Nara
Festival

Gion Festival

A month-long Kyoto festival centered on Yasaka Jinja Shrine features sacred rituals, food stalls, illuminated floats, and culminates in a grand procession and parade.

1–31 Jul 2026Kyoto
Festival

Kaikai Yokai Festival

Toei Kyoto Studio Park brings Japanese yokai legends to life with parades, interactive dance experiences, workshops, and exhibitions celebrating supernatural folklore.

12 Sep – 29 Nov 2026Kyoto
Expo & Convention

Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair

Premier manga and anime fair in western Japan attracting 40,000 visitors annually to explore exclusive announcements, live performances, and merchandise.

20–21 Sep 2026Kyoto
Advertisement