Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksReligious Sites
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This most-visited temple in Kyoto was built to honor Kannon, the goddess of mercy. It's beautiful hillside location offers spectacular views of the city and valley below.
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  • Wood77
    Los Angeles, California3,505 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Artistic temple
    We took public bus to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It was a long hike up hill to the temple grounds. Along the alley upward, you will encounter many shops selling treats, food and souvenirs. Even during pouring rain when we visited, there were still so many people, shoulder to shoulder, trekking up to the temple. The temple was built without nails reflecting skills of Japanese carpentry. Up against the veranda, you can see scenic Kyoto below.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written February 19, 2024
  • Niels R
    Holbaek, Denmark331 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Impressive very nice orange temple.
    Very nice orange temple. Wooden temple with cedar roof. Had a nice round trip even though the weather was heavy rain, it was a fantastic trip. Many people, many of whom are tourists. Regards. An & Nine
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written March 20, 2024
  • John and Deb K
    Karratha, Australia820 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sakura in Bloom adds to the Temple Magesty
    What a wonderful temple and take in the sites. It's a bit of a walk up hill but there are places to stop and lots of shops on the way selling food, drinks and gifts. With Sakura in full bloom the temple area is spectacular. loads of visitors many young dressed up in kimonos adding more colour to an already wonderful sight.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 4, 2024
  • Stu2247
    Solihull, United Kingdom903 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful temple, the most visited in Kyoto.
    Lots of Sakura (cherry blossom) out, which only makes this stunning temple even more beautiful. It can get extremely crowded, but it is worthwhile . There are lots of souvenir places and food stalls along the way. There were loads of people dressed up in kimonos, which can be hired locally for between 2500-3500 yen (roughly between £13-£18 sterling). We both really enjoyed this temple and Kyoto. If we were able to, we would have loved to have explored Kyoto even further.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 5, 2024
  • Giuliano C
    Canossa, Italy6,701 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Buddhism temple
    Ancient Buddhist temple begun in the eighth century then renovated in the seventeenth Entirely built in wood without using any nails It is located near the old neighborhood of Gion On a hill with stilt terraces and in the middle of the woods Very intriguing
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written April 9, 2024
  • amanda
    153 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A wonderful place to see
    Really nice design and location I went Solo and left my kids so I could move around much faster. I went early, so there were nor that many people and it was a Saturday. You can take lots of pictures in the front without buying tickets. I walked around, took in the natural beauty and left. Stayed about 90 minutes.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written April 14, 2024
  • Kyz Winkley
    Hawke's Bay Region, New Zealand18 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Go early!
    Beautiful spot, the shopping street surrounding is great too. The younger teens were a bit meh about the climb but it isn't hard. We went twice once in the afternoon and once first thing in the morning. I definitely recommend the second option as you will avoid the crowds. If you go around 8am you'll catch the shops too.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written April 20, 2024
  • martial51
    Vitry-le-Francois, France893 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    wonderful place
    wonderful temple even in the rain. A sort of large vessel placed on a hill where tens of thousands of people come to gather. The orange and red colors are shimmering and the walk is pleasant in the garden among the local plants and trees.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 20, 2024
  • chowso
    Gloucester, United Kingdom1,745 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very impressive but too crowded
    I would love to give this five stars but again, the crowds made it difficult to enjoy parts of this experience. It's a really beautiful place with a nice five story pagoda, and the main hall on stilts is very impressive. There is a nice walk to a small pagoda where people pray for fertility. The main hall and the views of the main hall with Kyoto in the background were the most crowded areas. It is definitely worth visiting but probably best to go as early as possible.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written April 28, 2024
  • akari-yama
    Chiba Prefecture, Japan61 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must-see when visiting Kyoto
    If you visit Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of the must-see tourist spots. As it is a World Heritage Site, there are quite a lot of tourists. There were many school trip students and foreigners there. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is where you can experience Kyoto's good old culture and natural beauty. If you're traveling to Kyoto, be sure to visit it.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written May 9, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Jacqui F
London, UK310 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
This enchanting temple, perched atop steep and narrow streets, is a treat to encounter at the golden hour of sunset. With Mount Otawa above, and Kyoto at its feet, the view is incredible. Built in the 17th Century, the stage in front of the main hall is an incredible feat of engineering. When you are on the stage itself, enjoying the view and being serenaded by prayer bells, you feel as if the stage is floating. It’s only when you walk down through the complex that you truly appreciate the structure. It sits on a vast scaffold of wood, constructed without the use of nails. The name Kiyomizu literally means Pure Water, and the temple is named for the waterfall it was built beside. The waterfall has been canalised into streams of water that can be used for washing hands and mouth for purification. It’s a magical place to visit, and at a very reasonable cost of 400 yen for adults and 200 yen for children up to high school age, you’ll want to make a donation of some kind within the complex to help with the upkeep.
Written August 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CanuckJames
Nishinomiya, Japan1,773 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Couples
This place is a must-go when you are in Kyoto - no doubt about it. What everyone has already said about the beauty of this place is correct.

It is one of the places that people recommend to see the Autumn colors. It was breathtaking.

The cost of ¥500 to get inside and to be able to wander the back lot is well worth the price of admission.

However, there were so many people crammed into this location that it was a major detraction from the beauty. Trying to take a photo WITHOUT other people in the photo is almost an impossibility. You are shoulder to shoulder from the bottom of the street to inside the temple property, winding up and down the path. You need to jostle and push your way to a remotely suitable place to take a photo.

Full disclosure: we probably went on one of the busiest days of the year. It was the day that people said the Autumn colors would be at the brightest. It probably was.

We want to go back to enjoy the temple without the overcrowded visitors.
Written December 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Qisiang R
Melbourne, Australia380 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Family
Like all reviewers before me, I cannot agree more about the beauty and magnificent vista of this place. From the base of the first temple right up to the top of the hill and all the way down it was breathtaking. We did not factor in the size of the crowd packed along the route to the temple. The autumn maple leaves festival and being a Saturday probably had a lot to do with it. We virtually had to “swim” our way through the crowd and the time taken to reach the temple was a bit longer. There were shops of all sorts on both sides of the street to further “delay” the traffic as everyone was checking out “distractions” offered by the shops. As we came late and the sun setting was about 16:50, the light was poor for nice photos. All along the route through the ground of the temple the crowd was consistently and relentlessly “thick”. Together with the crowd, the slopes (up and down) and the length of the track, this may not be suited to the physically challenged visitor. For us the whole journey was a bit of a rush. We should have started our journey earlier and allowed ourselves more time. It’s a pity that Japan doesn’t observe daylight saving time. At this time of the year the sun rises about 6:40am but quite a lot of places don’t open until 10:00am. One could have crammed another one and a half hour into the touring time if there were daylight saving time observed. (It means the sun will set at 17:50 instead of 16:50)However we still enjoyed our experience and wouldn’t mind to revisit it again if we come back to Japan next time.
Written November 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Princes of travel
Paris, France7,543 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Couples
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, the Kiyomizu-dera site is one of the most famous and visited in Kyoto. Popular with tourists, there are a lot of people crowding.

Privilege to go in the early morning or late afternoon, after sunset. The main building is famous for its platform supported by hundreds of pillars. The place is very photogenic, if only for the place itself.

The site is accessible free of charge but if you want to visit the main building you will have to pay an entrance fee of ¥500 per person. The huge pagoda that stands at the entrance is just as admirable and remarkable as all Buddhist and Shinto buildings.
Also, don't miss taking the hillside path to Koyasunoto Pagoda, opposite the main temple. Below the waterfall otowanotaki, just at the foot of the wooden platform where you can admire the stilts.

Allow about 1 hour to take the time to go around the site.
Automatically translated
Written December 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ryan Otto Ulrich
468 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Solo
One of the most picturesque temples in Kyoto, the Kiyomizu-dera complex offers breathtaking views of the city and is a stunning example of traditional Japanese architecture. The iconic pagoda and surrounding buildings speak to both history and aesthetics. As a World Heritage Site, the temple dates back to the late Nara period, and even amidst the throngs of visitors, it feels a bit like traveling back in time. I found the presence of so many visitors surprisingly lively, adding a unique energy and ambience to the place.
Written November 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tom H
Santa Cruz, CA401 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
This is my favorite temple in Kyoto. The location is walkable from anywhere in Eastern Kjoto and a pleasant walk through Mariyuma Park afterwards is a bonus. The approach to the temple from the East is atmospheric with pedestrian walkways and interesting shops and restaurants. Walking up the temple steps itself is a treat as the buildings are large and well decorated. There are three features you don’t want to miss. As you approach the main temple with the deck on the right, veer to the left and find the line for the “womb” room. A friendly volunteer will ask you to remove your shoes, pay a small fee, and instruct you to descend down a ramp into total darkness while holding a rope attached to the left side of the ramp. You then wander around in the dark, holding the rope, until a round rotating rock appears in the gloom which you rub and make the one wish you are allowed! You emerge from the dark reborn! Then spend some time on the massive deck of the temple enjoying the view of the hillside before following the crowd down to a small pavilion built into the rocks with a stream passing overhead where you select a cup attached to a long metal poll. Use the device to capture a cup of water and drink it to ensure a long and healthy life. The cups are cleaned after each use by a boxy contraption that sanitizes them in ultra violet light.
Written May 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melissa B
Saint Louis, MO1,268 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
Definitely something you should visit if you’re in Kyoto. You can buy a ticket to just the garden or you can upgrade your ticket to also walk in the shrine itself (without shoes). Unless you want to feel the religious significance of walking inside, I recommend just buying the garden ticket, as you walk directly next to the building if you’re in the garden and can see all the same things just a couple feet below.

Heads up: it’s a bit of an uphill trek to get there but there are lots of shops with food and drink along the way!
Written June 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

お遍路さんアキラ
Kyoto, Japan25,089 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 • Solo
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is hosting the 59th Winter Journey in Kyoto on January 10 (Fri) - March 18 (Tue), 2025, after the special opening of the cultural property to the public. The admission fee is 500 yen. In 2018, for the first time in 222 years, the seated statue of Suigu Bosatsu was unveiled, so it is not known when it will be opened next. This is a very valuable opportunity. You can also visit the womb. I took about five minutes.
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Written January 29, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BHBTG
Winsford, UK140 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Solo
Iconic pagoda and buildings at the front, but if you take a picture here and leave, you're missing out. Pay the 500 yen for the temple and walk around the hillside, you get some amazing views of both Kyoto town, but also the temple buildings from different and pleasing angles. There's nowhere to eat or drink here with it being a spiritual place, but with the price even for a short look say the views.

Important: this place gets really busy, not only with tourists but with school groups, get here early, certainly before 8am
Written May 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

よしめ
Chiba, Japan38,894 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
I went to see the illuminations at the end of November, and took a tour up to the entrance, then walked around the temple freely. It's no wonder that so many people want to visit, with the main hall with its suspended structure, the panoramic view of Kyoto from the inner sanctuary during the day, and the splendid autumn leaves. At night, the shady atmosphere of the dim light was a nice touch. Even at night, it was so crowded that I had to push my way through the flow of people. I also visited the gardens of Jojuin Temple for an additional fee.
Google
Written December 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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