Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple | Review by wendy

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Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple

A place that should be visited when traveling to Kyoto, the temple selected as a World Cultural Heritage.

29 Sep 2026 See More

With more than 1,200 years of history, Kiyomizu-dera Temple is really hard to miss when visiting Kyoto! The temple is primarily dedicated to Kannon and has gone through multiple fires and reconstructions. Today, it is also listed as a World Heritage Site. Its most iconic feature, the Kiyomizu Stage, offers views of Kyoto and was also one of the school trip settings in Detective Conan, which somehow makes it feel a little cute.

However, it was unbelievably hot on the day we visited, and the crowds were huge. Before long, all we wanted to do was check it off our list and leave. If I come again, I still think it would be much more comfortable to visit in cooler weather and take my time exploring and appreciating the historic temple architecture.

Kiyomizu-dera also has the unmissable Otowa Waterfall and the famous “love stones.” Legend says that if you can successfully walk from one stone to the other with your eyes closed, you'll be blessed with a wonderful romantic relationship〜With an ancient temple, the Kiyomizu Stage, views of Kyoto, and a touch of romantic legend, Kiyomizu-dera remains a classic Kyoto attraction worth visiting in person, even with the crowds.

Other Reviews by wendy

NyanNyan-Ji

Located in Kyoto’s Yase area, NyanNyan-Ji occupies a century-old traditional house renovated in the style of a temple. Known as a sacred place for cat lovers, its principal deity is Dainichi Nyarai, a beckoning-cat incarnation of the Buddha. The museum also enshrines Susanaru no Mikoto and Nekoterasu no Okami, creating a unique space where art and good fortune intersect.
- Okazaki, Ginkakuji, Ohara
- Museums
29 Sep 2026 See More

Who knew Kyoto had such a unique "cat temple" tucked away! At first glance, it looks like a temple, but it isn't actually an official temple. It's a distinctive space that combines temple decor, a café, shops, and cats.

The most special part is that seven cats live here as abbots. Each one has its own personality, and the entire place is filled with cat-themed touches. Cat lovers will probably find it hard to stop taking pictures.

It's about a 17-minute walk from Cable Enryakuji Station, and the stroll there is very pleasant. If you get tired from exploring, you can have a glass of milk with some cookies and sit back and relax while taking in this very different cat world.
Enkouji Temple

Opened in 1601, built by the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu in Fushimi, Kyoto. After it opened as a school, it relocated to the premises of Shokokuji Temple. In 1667, it relocated again to its current location at Ichichoji Kotani town. Statues said to be created by the monk Unkei are on display, including the Senju-Kannon statue, and the statue of Kaizan Genkitsu Zen Master, an important cultural heritage.
- Okazaki, Ginkakuji, Ohara
- Shrines & Temples
29 Sep 2026 See More

Enkouji Temple is a historic Zen temple founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Compared with many of Kyoto's popular attractions, it's less crowded and has a more peaceful, relaxed atmosphere.

It's truly beautiful during the fresh green season. The lush green garden, old temple, and surrounding mountain scenery create a very relaxing atmosphere. There also aren't as many visitors as at Shisen-do Temple, so you can walk around and take in the sights at your own pace. It really feels like an escape from the noise of the city.

When visiting Enkouji Temple, don't stop at just the garden. Be sure to keep going deeper into the grounds, then follow the slope uphill! Once you reach the top, the view suddenly opens up, and you can look out over the city of Kyoto. The greenery of the mountains stretches all the way to the cityscape, making for a very pleasant view.

Although you have to walk up a bit of a slope, the scenery from the top is definitely worth it. This is also one of my favorite places in Kyoto.
Ginkaku-ji

This temple was built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, as a villa called "Higashiyama-den". Along with Kinkakuji Temple, this temple is a pagoda temple outside of Shokokuji Temple (i.e., a hermitage built in a different location from the main temple after his retirement). After Yoshimasa's death, the temple was named Jishoji after his Buddhist name.
- Okazaki, Ginkakuji, Ohara
- Shrines & Temples
29 Sep 2026 See More

I walked along the Philosopher's Path to Ginkaku-ji. Although it was still some distance away, taking a leisurely walk and looking at the streets along the way was actually very pleasant. Outside Ginkaku-ji is a shopping street full of small shops and snacks, so you can browse around before going in. Admission is JPY 500, and the moment I stepped into the temple grounds, I was genuinely struck by how beautiful it was.

It doesn't have the dazzling splendor of Kinkaku-ji. Instead, it feels peaceful, understated, and elegant. The carefully maintained garden, pond, moss, and neatly trimmed trees, paired with the traditional architecture, naturally make you slow down. The grounds aren't very large, and it takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to follow the route around. There's also a path in the back that leads uphill. From the top, you can look back and take in the entire garden and the scenery of Kyoto, offering a different kind of view.

There were definitely a lot of visitors, but that didn't take away from the peaceful and comfortable atmosphere. Also, throughout this walk, I kept hearing familiar Taiwanese accents. It really seems like Taiwanese travelers love Kyoto!