Basic Information
Address:京都府京都市東山区清水一丁目Phone:075-551-1234Hours:6:00-18:00Fee:300円中学生以下200円Access:市バス204,206,207,特207 「清水道」または「五条坂」下車徒歩10分Website:Official Website Description
Founded in 780 with the support of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro and established by the monk Enchin, Kiyomizu-dera has a remarkably long history — it even appears in The Pillow Book. It belongs to the Hosso sect of Buddhism.
Cypress-bark roof, hip-and-gable style. This is the gate you see when you reach the top of the Kiyomizu slope. Two Nio guardian statues, each about 4 meters tall, stand on either side. The plaque reading "Kiyomizu-dera" above the entrance was written by Fujiwara no Yukinari.
The vermillion pagoda on the right as you enter through the Nio Gate. Tile roof. Houses a statue of Dainichi Nyorai (Cosmic Buddha).
Built in 1633. Tile roof, hip-and-gable style. Enshrines a statue of Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni Buddha).
Houses statues of the monk Enchin and the married couple Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, dating from 778.
A National Treasure. This is the famous "Stage of Kiyomizu." It's a cantilevered platform built on a cliff face, supported by 149 pillars interlocked with horizontal beams in a grid pattern. The stage extends about 8 meters wide. The interior is divided into the inner sanctum, the inner hall, and the outer hall. The innermost sanctum houses the principal image, a Thousand-Armed Kannon (Bodhisattva of Compassion) with Eleven Faces. Flanking statues of Jizo Bosatsu and Bishamonten stand on either side. Regular visitors can worship from the outer hall. From the stage, you get a sweeping panoramic view of the Kyoto cityscape.
Cypress-bark roof with hinged lattice shutters. Enshrines a Shaka Triad (Shakyamuni with two attendants).
One of the Six Amida Pilgrimage Sites of Kyoto. Said to be the place where the monk Honen conducted Japan's first continuous nembutsu (chanting of Amida Buddha's name). Houses a statue of Amida Nyorai.
Built in the same cantilevered style as the Main Hall. Also called the "Inner Kannon Hall." Enshrines a Thousand-Armed Kannon.
Three streams of water spring from Mount Otowa. This pure water is the origin of the temple's name, Kiyomizu ("pure water"). The water is known as Enmei-sui (water of longevity) and Konjiki-sui (golden water for long life and wisdom).
