Kiyomizudera (Pure Water Temple), Kyoto
Kiyomizudera (or Kiyomizu-dera, "Pure Water Temple") is the name of several Buddhist temples, but it most often refers to Otowasan Kiyomizudera in Eastern Kyoto. One of Japan's best-known temples, the Kiyomizu ("Pure Water") Temple was founded in 780 CE and still functions as a temple associated with the Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism.
Kiyomizu commands an exalted spot on a steep hill in eastern Kyoto, offering a sweeping view over Kyoto from its famous wooden terrace. The quaint street leading up to the temple is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants and ryokan (Japanese-style inns). The temple grounds have open-air pavilions where you can drink beer or eat noodles.
Kiyomizudera's architecture has been imitated by lesser temples all over Japan, and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Although the temple dates back to the 8th century, the present buildings were constructed in 1633. The main hall of Kiyomizudera is notable for its vast veranda, supported by hundreds of pillars, which juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city.
The expression "to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu" is the Japanese equivalent of the English expression "to take the plunge." This refers to an Edo period tradition that held that, if one were to survive jumping from the terrace, one's wish would be granted. This appears plausible: the lush vegetation below the platform might cushion the 13-meter fall of a lucky pilgrim, though the practice is now prohibited. 234 jumps were recorded in the Edo period and of those, 85.4 percent survived.
Beneath the main hall is the waterfall Otowa-no-taki, where three channels of water drop into a pond. Visitors to the temple collect the water, which is believed to have therapeutic properties, from the waterfall in metal cups. It is said that drinking the water of the three streams confers health, longetivity, and success in studies.
The temple complex contains several other shrines, notably Jishu-jinja, decidated to Okuninushino-Mikoto, a god of love and "good matches." Near the shrine are two rocks placed several meters apart - successfully walking from one rock to the other with your eyes closed means that you will find love. You can be assisted in the crossing, but this is taken to mean that an intermediary will be needed.
The complex also includes all the fixtures of a popular temple, being one of the most-visited attractions of the city: hawkers offering various talismans, incense, and o-mikuji (paper fortunes ranging from "great fortune" to "great ill") abound. Indeed the high popularity of the place means that tourists will find it difficult to take pictures on the main temple's platform.
Getting There
Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station in about 15 minutes by bus. Take bus number 100 or 206 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka. From there it is a 10-15 minute uphill walk to the temple.
