Located up mount Otowain above Kyoto’s Higashiyama Ward, Kyomizu Dera is one of the most impressive structures of ancient Japan (and holds one of the best views in Kyoto!). The walk up to the temple itself is a mesmerizing trek. One eases up into the temple passing the massive structure beneath. By the time you get to the temple itself, you are already filled with awe.
The main hall was built in 778 and reconstructed in 1633. The innermost sanctuary holds the image of eleven-headed Thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva. The deity of great mercy and compassion “Kiyomizu Kannon-san.”
The Zuigu-do hall, reconstructed in 1718, holds as it’s principal image the Daizuigu Bodhisattva. Underneath this hall rests the Tainai meguri – regarded as the womb of Zuigu-Botatsu (symbolized by the Sanskrit character हर “Hara”) who is known as the motherly Buddha. The Tainai meguriis a pitch dark passage way, with only an oversized Buddhist bead string along the wall to guide your hand as you maze your way down to the Zuigu stone.
We visited the temple at night, after a lovely walk through the Higashiyama streets. We were quite lucky as the temple was open with a special light presentation!
Kyomizu Dera
(81) 75.551.1234
294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862, Japan
www.kiyomizudera.or.jp
Open Hours:
6:00-18:00 Daily
18:00-21:00 Special dates
