All Reviews of Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera—of course, the first thing that comes to mind is Detective Conan. Even though I ship Conan and Ai, I still watched The Scarlet School Trip.

This time, I climbed up to Kiyomizu-dera by myself because the weather and my family's stamina weren't great, but I was really insistent on seeing it, so they gave me an hour and a half to go up there on my own.

But it was seriously packed!!

I walked all the way to a place pretty far away, only to find that it wasn't even open...

Later, when I made my way back down, I unexpectedly found a path that felt more like a secluded spot, and there was no admission fee!

(Though it was a bit far.

But at least I made my pilgrimage to Kiyomizu-dera〜

I hope that next time I come, I can see Kiyomizu-dera with the fall foliage. That would make the experience feel more complete. I also want to visit Togetsukyo Bridge. I really want to see mountains covered in fall colors, but that time of year always happens to be my busy season at work (crying

Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of Kyoto's most iconic historic temples. Walking up the lively Kiyomizu-zaka, you can already feel the strong atmosphere of the ancient capital. On this visit, I stood on the famous Kiyomizu Stage and looked out over the streets of Kyoto. The view was very expansive, and the combination of historic architecture and natural scenery was especially impressive. The temple's wooden buildings are also very distinctive, and walking among them feels like traveling back in time. Visiting the temple, taking photos, and then exploring nearby Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka made the whole outing full of Kyoto charm. It was a memorable stop on this trip.

Upon entering Kiyomizu-dera Temple, what moved me most was the Kiyomizu Stage, which is suspended above the ground using mortise-and-tenon joinery without a single nail. Looking out from the edge of the wooden platform, I saw lush green mountains interwoven with the ancient cityscape of Kyoto. I could deeply feel both the solid weight of the historic architecture and the boundless wisdom of traditional craftsmanship.

Following the mountain path at a leisurely pace, I arrived at the famous Otowa Waterfall, where three streams of spring water slowly flow down from the cliff, representing health, academic success, and good relationships. Scooping up the spring water with a long-handled ladle, every sip carried a prayer and hope for the future. Amid the clear sound of the flowing spring, my whole spirit seemed to be cleansed and returned to tranquility and peace.

This visit was not only a visual tour of historic landmarks, but also a deeply calming journey for the soul.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple's mountain name is Mt. Otowa, and it mainly enshrines the Thousand-Armed Kannon. This was also a setting in Detective Conan: The Scarlet School Trip. Unfortunately, I visited in early October, so I couldn't see the mountains covered in red maple leaves, but I was still very happy to be here.

Kiyomizu-dera is huge, and the famous “Kiyomizu Stage” is absolutely magnificent. Photos can only capture so much—you really have to see it in person to feel how awe-inspiring it is.

Nestled in the lush green mountains, I couldn’t help thinking how beautiful the autumn leaves must be here.

The water at “Otowa Waterfall” is divided into three streams, and each one has a different meaning and blessing.

The first is for health and longevity. The second is for lasting and happy love. The third is for good fortune and wisdom, especially for success in school.

If you want to experience an old Japan vibe, you can come to Kiyomizu-dera in a kimono~

Kiyomizu-dera is much less crowded in the early morning, so it’s a lot more comfortable to walk around.

We got lucky with the sunshine that day, and the photos turned out beautiful.

The whole mountainside was red. Looking down from above, the layers of autumn leaves created so much depth, and paired with the Main Hall stage, it was such a classic view.

Packed with tourists, but it’s a must-see spot.

After Kiyomizu-dera’s renovations and once the pandemic had passed, I finally got to visit this famous spot.

From the moment I got off the bus, I walked up the sloped road, surrounded by that classic Kyoto scenery. I passed the Niomon Gate and the three-story pagoda, and ended up at the Kiyomizu Stage.

A super classic Kyoto sightseeing route.