All Reviews of Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera in the early morning has a charming historic atmosphere. I brought my elders to visit this historic site (I recommend coming early, as it gets more crowded around noon).

Since we were traveling independently, we could wander around at our own pace. From high up at Kiyomizu-dera, we looked down over a sea of greenery and imagined the maple leaves turning red in the fall (I'll definitely visit again if I get the chance).

I bought a commemorative omamori, hoping my family will stay safe and healthy〜❤️

I fell deeply in love with the beauty of Kyoto🥰

The most unforgettable sight was the Kiyomizu Stage. It's hard to imagine that such a magnificent structure was built without using any nails. From the stage, you can look out over Kyoto. There are cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, mountains covered in red maple leaves in fall, and snowy scenery in winter. It's picturesque in every season.

After visiting the main hall, you can continue on to Jishu Shrine, then finish at Otowa Waterfall. I saw many people lining up to drink water using long-handled ladles. The three streams are said to represent different wishes. It was an unforgettable experience.

Every time I visit Kyoto, if I could choose only one temple, Kiyomizu-dera, with over a thousand years of history and standing halfway up Mt. Otowa, would definitely be Japan's most iconic landmark! As soon as you reach Kiyomizu-zaka on the way to the main hall, the lively souvenir shops, pottery stores, and wagashi shops along the street offer so much to see. You can already feel the area's rich cultural atmosphere before even entering the temple.

After passing through the imposing Nio-mon Gate, the most breathtaking sight is the elevated Kiyomizu Stage, built entirely without a single nail and supported by enormous wooden pillars. From the stage, you can take in the cityscape of Kyoto below while surrounded by a magnificent expanse of maple and cherry trees. Whether the hills are covered in soft pink cherry blossoms in spring or fiery red leaves in fall, the changing seasonal scenery is like a huge landscape painting you could never tire of seeing.

After leaving the stage, don't miss the famous Otowa Waterfall below. Its three clear streams represent academic success, love, and longevity. Waiting in line to take a sip is both fun and filled with a sense of ritual and prayer. Before leaving, be sure to stop by the impressive Koyasu Pagoda nearby and experience the ancient capital's solemnity and tranquility.

I highly recommend putting Kiyomizu-dera on your must-visit list when traveling to Kyoto. Whether you're there to experience the grandeur of a UNESCO World Heritage Site or admire the beautiful mountain scenery through the seasons, this is a timeless classic you'll never tire of visiting!

Honestly, walking all the way up through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka made my calves incredibly sore 😂 Those slopes are no joke, and you really start to feel tired on the way up.

But once I passed through the red Niomon Gate and saw the Kiyomizu Stage, half the exhaustion from the climb immediately disappeared.

I'd seen Kiyomizu-dera online many times before, so I thought that after seeing so many photos, it probably wouldn't be that impressive in person. But actually standing there was still quite breathtaking. The entirely wooden platform of the Kiyomizu Stage extends straight out, and looking down from it really made the soles of my feet tingle a little.

When I visited in January, most of the trees on the mountain were bare, which looked completely different from the cherry blossom or fall foliage seasons that people usually see. But because of that, I could actually see the scenery around the Kiyomizu Stage more clearly. There were also fewer people in winter than during peak seasons, so it was quite pleasant to stand on the stage and take in the view at a leisurely pace.

Later, when I followed the route to Okunoin, I realized this was the classic spot for photographing the Kiyomizu Stage. Looking back, the wooden stage stood against the hillside, surrounded by the bare January trees, creating a very peaceful feeling. I kept taking photos and enjoying the scenery there, and before I knew it, I'd spent almost half an hour.

After walking down, I happened to get in line at Otowa Waterfall and used one of the long ladles to catch and drink the water. After walking for so long and climbing all those slopes, the water felt really refreshing. At least it made those climbs feel worthwhile 😂

After leaving Kiyomizu-dera, I walked down toward Sannenzaka, browsing the small shops and buying some food along the way. My feet were really sore by the end, but the whole walk still felt very worthwhile.

If you're visiting Kiyomizu-dera, I definitely recommend starting earlier. It's much more pleasant when there are fewer people. Otherwise, once it gets crowded, you constantly have to dodge people and say “excuse me,” and your photos can easily end up packed with people.

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~