10 days in Japan - 10/29/2022 to 11/7/2022

Day 7- Kiyomizu-dera Temple,Kyoto-11/4/22

Main hall

The Main Hall of Kiyomizu Temple is a beautiful wooden structure which was completed in 1633. This symbolic building is designated as a National Treasure and features a huge wooden stage standing on the hillside of Mt. Otowa. This wooden stage consists of surprisingly sturdy traditional Japanese architecture, and is made of only 78 pillars with zero nails or screws used! The stunning view from the stage is definitely one of the highlights of Kiyomizu Temple!   

We are at the main wooden stage.

This place is massive and magical.

The main hall of the Kiyomizu-dera temple complex houses small statues of the eleven-faced and thousand-armed incarnation of the Buddhist divinity Kannon and is connected to the butai, which was created as a stage for dedications and offerings.

People praying....

Incense bathing is a ritual you might encounter when visiting temples or shrines in Japan is the burning of incense. People will buy a bundle, light them, let it burn for a few seconds and then extinguish the flame so that smoke can come out.  Smoke is believe to have a healing power.

Butai is a wooden stage is an open space that was built as a stage for performances and the saying: Kiyomizu no butai kara tobi-oriru ("jumping off the Kiyomizu stage") means making an important life-changing decision.

View of the stage from the ground floor.

The wooden stage complex, made of 168 pillars. This structure was built using a rather special method: 12-meter high keyaki (Japanese Zelkova) pillars made from thick, centuries-old trees and a floor made of 410 cypress boards was assembled and installed without using a single nail, instead relying on locking wooden joints. The stage is popular with tourists all year round, offering a beautiful view no matter the season.

View of zuigudo Hall from the wooden stage in the main hall.

A shrine with a giant bronze Buddha statue.

We are now at the zuigudo Hall overlooking at the main Hall.

The view is breathtaking up here.

So many people around...

It is so surprising to see so many people around, especially when Japan just open their door for tourism just a few days ago.

View of the city from above

Gorgeous autumn day.

Pathway leading to the bottom of the hill and to the exit.

So picturesque with 2 Japanese ladieswalking in front of us.

Buddhist cemetery in the park

We are now at the bottom of the foothill

On top is the main Hall that we just visited.

A rest area serving tea.

Otowa-no-taki, waterfall where visitors drink for health, longevity, and success in studies

The Otowa Waterfall is located at the base of Kiyomizudera's main hall. Its waters are divided into three separate streams, and visitors use cups attached to long poles to drink from them. Each stream's water is said to have a different benefit, namely to cause longevity, success at school and a fortunate love life. However, drinking from all three streams is considered greedy.

Trees in the park.

Buddhist stature carved on rock and a large tomb stone.

We are now close to the exit.

So cute to see kids wearing traditional Japanese clothes.

View of the three stories pagoda from the bottom of the foothill.

We are now leaving Kizomizu dera.

While we are in Kyoto for the day, we will also visit a few more temples along the way, but first we will stop by for lunch first.

NEXT.... Day 7-Lunch and Hokan-ji Temple