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 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.
Places nearby
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
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
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 · KyotoYou might also like
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
Shokoku-ji
Fourteenth-century Zen temple in Kyoto founded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, featuring traditional gardens, rock gardens and renowned sub-temples.
Kyoto
Enryaku-ji
Founded in 788 by Saichō, this Tendai Buddhist headquarters on Mount Hiei hosts the famous kaihōgyō practice and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Otsu · Shiga
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 2027Kyoto
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
Kumano Kodo
For over a thousand years, the Kumano Kodo has led pilgrims through the mountains of Kii to the sacred Kumano Sanzan shrines – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wakayama · Kansai