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Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto: Hours, Address, Kiyomizu-dera Temple Reviews: 4.5/5

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Kiyomizu-dera Temple

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Kiyomizu-dera Temple
4.5
11,545
#3 of 1,906 things to do in Kyoto
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
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6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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About
This most-visited temple in Kyoto was built to honor Kannon, the goddess of mercy. It's beautiful hillside location offers spectacular views of the city and valley below.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
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Attractions
1,921 within 6 miles
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0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Otowa no Taki
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Kiyomizu-dera Temple Okunoin
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
11,545 reviews
Excellent
6,293
Very good
3,908
Average
1,138
Poor
162
Terrible
44
HL❤️
Gold Coast, Australia101 contributions
Early morning visit is the best to avoid crowd
Dec 2019
We visited the temple at 7am, very peaceful and quiet, if you want to avoid the tourist crowded, this is the time you should go.
We took the taxi from Kyoto train station, it's only 10 mins ride and because its early and the nearby shops haven't open yet, taxi can stop right in front of the temple, so we can skip the uphill slope walk, worth to take the taxi.
We can see a glimpse of sunrise and it's so beautiful.
feel so calm and inner peace to walk around the temple and surroundings, easy walk around.
The temple open from 6am to 6pm.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
HPLIM
JOHOR BAHRU750 contributions
A popular ancient temple in Kyoto
Dec 2019
From our hotel at Sotetsu Freesa Inn, we walked to the city bus terminal to take the city bus to our next destination, i.e. Kiyomizu-Dera temple (清水寺). We bought the one-day city bus pass at Keihan Hotel lobby for ¥600. In Kyoto, any station you disembark costs ¥230 regardless the distance you travel. We got off at Gojo-zaka bus stop and then walked up the steep and busy road to the temple. Along the road, there are many restaurants and shops selling Japanese delights such as muachi. This temple is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan. There were already a lot of tourists up there. It was founded in 780. It is also a Unesco World Heritage Sites. The main hall is a wooden stage about 13 m above the hillside below which affords visitors to have a nice view of cherry and maple trees below. It will be much more beautiful during spring or autumn. You also can get a glimpse of Kyoto city in the distance. The main hall which was built without using nails houses a small statue of the eleven faced and thousand arms Kannon. The Jishu Shrine is just behind the main hall. This is a shrine dedicated to the deity of love and match making. This is where youngsters come to seek for luck to find true love! Many tourists also come here to get spiritually refreshed and energized. The Otowa waterfall is located at the base of the Main Hall. Visitors often use cups attached to long poles to drink the water from this water fall. The water is believed to be beneficial to good health and bring good luck! It is definitely an ideal place to explore in Kyoto!
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
izyphotos
Mascot, Australia708 contributions
Stunning
Mar 2021
The hugely popular Kiyomizu Temple (Kiyomizu-dera) is a must for most visitors to Kyoto. It is a massive temple complex. Cherry blossoms were beginning to bloom which was beautiful. There are also great views of Kyoto city.

The main hall of Kiyomizu is built out on a veranda onto pillars, a structure constructed without nails. The effect is that of a deck reaching out from the foot of the mountain. Unfortunately, much of this was under renovation when we visited.

Due to Covid, there were less crowds. Take Bus 100 to Kiyomizu Ichi stop and walk about 10 mins uphill. You can walk back via Sannen Zaka and Ninen Zaka Streets.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Magnificent Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka72 contributions
Miracle of Ancient Architectures
Oct 2019
Our journey to Kiyomizudera was a delightful trip in every way. There was a shopping street leading up to the temple grounds and it was fun to move along with a lot of tourists, Japanese visitors, and beautiful girls in kimonos. We met a lot of souvenir shops and food stalls before reaching the base of Kiyomizudera. The day we visited Kiyomizudera had mild showers, but we still enjoyed the splendid views around the temple. We walked through the temple grounds visiting the Pagoda and Halls along the paths and enchanted by wonderful views. We watched the Kyoto city and surroundings from the viewing deck and we still have a great memory of this majestic temple and its impressive architecture.
Written June 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Padraig M
Kawasaki, Japan97 contributions
Kyomizu-dera: Go while it is not packed.
Aug 2020
Kyomizu-dera is one of my favourite places in Kyoto and we have gone there every time we have visited. I love the trees and how the temple is situated on the side of the mountain. Normally it is packed, but when we visited in August 2020, it was completely empty and very special experience. I recommend people in Japan to go before it gets crowded again next year.
Written August 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Patrick O
Mount Holly, NC1,031 contributions
Great Views All Around!
Dec 2019
We went here late in the afternoon as part of a tour with Sunrise Travel. It was between Christmas and New Year's so it was busy. This is really a beautiful place to see with great views of Kyoto as well. There are a number of steps to walk up to get to the colrful pagoda shaped temples but unless you are in really poor phyisical shape, it should be no problem.You will be rewarded with great views of the city and even though it was starting to get dark by the time we had finished exploring, the pagoda's lit up make for a beautiful sight as well. There are shrines and temples throughout and you can walk down into wonderful gardens Be sure to go all the way up to see everything as there is a lot to see. It was crowded but not to the point of not enjoyable. There is a lively shopping area down below that is worth checking out. Aloow lots of time and enjoy!
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Daniel Setiawan
South Tangerang, Indonesia170 contributions
Temple with Crowded Shopping Street
Dec 2019
Before you see the temple, you will walk into historic road full of shops and it is very crowded. The temple it self is under renovation but you can still enter the temple. There is otowa waterfall inside with 3 streams, you should choose one of the stream for your wishes.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hsin-Yi W
Forest Hills, NY967 contributions
Magnificent Buddhist Temple
May 2019 • Family
Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺), is a Buddhist temple and also a signature landmark in Kyoto.

The temple is classic and magnificent located on the hills. It might be difficult for elders to enjoy the entire tour. There are also lots of rules entering the temple. Tourists need to follow the planned routes without shoes.

The temple is currently under construction and covered entirely by semi-transparent scaffolding for 2020 Olympics which is postponed to 2021 now.
Written March 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Piotr S
Krakow, Poland243 contributions
One of the biggest and the most famous temples in Kyoto
Mar 2020
Easily accessible by local bus. Good to see after visiting Kinkakuji, due to convenient bus connection. One of the biggest temples in Kyoto, build on the slope of one of the hills surrounding this city. After about 10 minutes of walk from the closest bus stop You can admire one of the best Kyoto panorama from the temple terrace. Temple buildings themselves are built and decorated in beautiful, typical Kyoto style, where extensive sculpturing and orange/red color dominates. There is a short path coming down from the temple buildings, finishing with a small spring. Definitely worth to see.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
GoGo2SlowGo
Denton, TX1,527 contributions
Pure Water Temple
Apr 2019
Kiyomizudera also known as the "Pure Water Temple") is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in wooded hills east of Kyoto and derived its name from the fall's pure waters. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. The main hall of Kiyomizudera is built out on a veranda onto pillars. It was completely constructed without nails.
We wanted to visit Kiyomizu-dera because we tried to see as many UNESCO sites as we could.
There are 17 World Heritage sites in Kyoto alone!
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is open:
  • Sun - Sat 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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