Kiyomizu-dera Temple

桜の名所
紅葉の名所
世界遺産
名水の名所
★★★ ミシュラングリーンガイド三ツ星

History

In 778 (the ninth year of Houki era), Kenshin (afterward, Enchin) who was under practice at Nara Kojima Temple, came to Otowa-yama where is the place of Kiyomizutera, according to the prophecy of dream. He met the disciplinant wearing white gown with the name of Gyoeikoji nearby the fall at the foot of Otowa Mountain. Kenshin was given the spiritual wood with divine power by Gyoei, and enshrine the multiarmed deity on the said spiritual wood made by Kenshin at the old house of Gyoei.This has been reported as the origin of Kiyomizutera.
　
In 780 (the eleventh of Houki era), Sakanoueno-Tamuramaru came in Otowa Maintain to seek for the vital blood of deer for his wife’s safe delivery, and met Kenshi under practice. Tamuramaro was persuaded the guilt of butchery by Kenshin, took refuge in the Buddha donated his home as a mail hall and enshrine Shumen multiarmed deity. Afterward, he become a Shougun and reconstructed it with Enchin (formerly, Kenshin) in 798 (the seventeenth of Enreki era). Accordingly, It is positioned at Kiyomizutera that Gyoei was the original, Enchin was the Foundation Patron and Tamuramaro was the Idol.
　
In 810 (the second year of Kounin era), Kiyomizutera became the authorized temple upon the permission of Emperor Saga and was given the official name of Kitakannon-ji. The lecture hall of Kiyomizutera had been fired repeatedly more than 9 time as fa as recorded until 1965. As Kiyomizutera was under the control of Koufuku-ji for a long time since Hean period, it was involved in the war between Koufuku-ji and Enryaku-ji, namely “Nanto Hokuryou”, was fired by the armed priest of Enryaku-ji in 1165 (the first year of Eiman era). The current main hall was reconstructed by Iemitsu Tokugawa in 1633 (the tenth year of Kanei era) after being burned down in the sixth year of Kanei era. In 1914 (the third year of Taisho period), Ryokei Onishi, the chief priest of Koufuku-ji became the chief priest of Kiyomizutera.

translation:MAKOTO

Shrine

The sloping road with 1.2 km long from Higashi-oji street to Kiyomizutera is called Kiyomizu Saka, there are lots of souvenir shops for tourist at both sides. The shrine is leveled land with stone wall in the middle of Kiyomizuyama (Otowa Mauntain) at 242 meter elevation and lots of houses stand side by side. After passing the Nioumon gate at the entrance, go straight at the West gate, three-story pagoda, Buddhist library, Tamura-do and Asakura-do and arrive at the main hall. After passing the main hall, Shakado and Amidado, you may see Okunoin standing at the cliff and the fall with very famous water, so called Otowanotaki. If you go further in a southern direction from the Otowanota, you may see the Taizan-ji over the valley named as Kinunkyou, and three-story pagoda named as Koyasutou. Furthermore, there are Jinushi Shrein in a northern direction of the main hall and the main house of chief priest named as Seijyuuin.

translation:MAKOTO

Attraction

You may enjoy mainly the Someiyoshino cherry blossom in a shrine in spring. The scine of main hall surrounded by colorful cherry blossom is so wonderful. The view of ancient city in spring looked down from the platform of Kiyomizu and the cherry blossom lighted at the night are also lovely landscape. In autumn, the spectacle of the red leaves at the ravine along the Otowa river is regarded to be equal with the one at the Takao of Kitayama, and called as “Shin-Takao” You may overlook the whole city of Kyoto and enjoy the lovely colorful maple along Kinunkei (ravine)

translation:MAKOTO

Michelin Green Guide

Kiyomizutera and the platform has three star rating and a one star rating, respectively.

translation:MAKOTO

Address: 1-294, Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto city, 605-0862
TEL: +81-75-551-1234
FAX: +81-75-551-1287
Formal Name: Kiyomizutera
Sangou (Mountain Name): Otowasan
Sect: Kitahottusyudaihonzan
Idol: Multiarmed deity
Date Founded: 778 (the ninth year of Houki era)
Founding Patron: Enchin
Cultural Properties: Main hall (National Treasures), Nioumon, Three-story pagoda, Bellfry (National Treasures and Important Cultural Property)
Benefit: 16th publishing office of security blanket regarding 33 spiritual places in west region. Spiritual water (Otowano-taki), Good health, Success, Fortune, Good match, Healthy baby
Admission: Adult (300 yen), Junior high-school and elementary school (200 yen)
Hours: 6:00～18:00
Parking: Not available
Access Guide: Get off at Kiyomizu Station of municipal buss and approx. 10 minutes walk to reach the park mentioned.
Get off at Higashiyama-Gojyo Station of Kyoto buss and approx. 10 minutes walk to reach the park mentioned
Official Website: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/