Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto is beautiful all year round, and the surrounding temples and attractions also attract countless tourists, making it a popular choice for group travelers and self-guided travelers. This article compiles the restoration of the main hall of Kiyomizu Temple, the annual event calendar, and the best maple viewing routes for Novice Village, which is especially suitable for self-guided travelers. I hope this information can help everyone plan a perfect maple viewing trip in Kyoto. Welcome to leave a message and tell me. Your feedback is my biggest motivation to continue sharing.
How to get to Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto?
Regarding the experience of the cherry blossom and maple trips in Kyoto at that time, the accommodations around Kyoto Station were chosen first. Once the plane arrives at Osaka Kansai Airport, take the Kansai Airport Express (Haruka) to Kyoto Station and walk after exiting the station. You can go to the hotel; and when you start to run the scenic spot the next day, you can also make good use of the city bus in front of the station or take the subway or tram to the scenic spot outside the city center. Kiyomizu Temple is an example. We will organize the traffic information as follows .
- Take a city bus in front of Kyoto Station
• 206: Get off at "Higashiyamadori Kitaoji Higashino Station" and walk there
• 100: Get off at "Gion" or "Gojozaka" and walk for about 10 minutes - Taking the bus from Shijo Kawaramachi
• 207: Get off at "Kujo Garage-mae", get off at Kiyomizu Road and walk for about 10 minutes
• 83・85・87・88：這幾號公車路線可在「五条坂」下車，步行前往約莫10分鐘
Repairs to the main hall of Kiyomizudera Temple have been completed!
Kiyomizu-dera Temple has a history of 1,200 years and is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto, as famous as Kinkakuji Temple and Tenryuji Temple. The temple is planted with ancient pines, creating a peaceful atmosphere, while the vermilion-red architecture is particularly eye-catching. After experiencing many wars and disasters, the current Kiyomizu Temple is the result of reconstruction, and the repair of the main hall roof was completed in March 2020. This shows the Japanese people's firm belief in the preservation of historical monuments, which is amazing.
Detailed explanation of Otonwazan Kiyomizu Temple: Enshrinement of Guanyin Bodhisattva and historical highlights of the temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is located on Mt. Otowa and is built against the mountain. It displays different beautiful scenery with the four seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, red maples in autumn and snowy scenery in winter. It is unforgettable. The ticket design of Kiyomizu Temple also changes with the seasons and is full of characteristics. The main building of the temple hangs over the cliff and is a traditional pillar-and-beam structure. The most famous one is the "Qingshui Stage", which is supported by 139 logs tens of meters high. Not a single nail is used in the entire building, demonstrating ancient craftsmanship. of superb technology. Standing on the stage, you can imagine its magnificent scene as a stage for Gagaku performances in the Edo period.
The main deity enshrined in Kiyomizu Temple is Guanyin Bodhisattva, especially the eleven-faced Thousand-Armed Guanyin, who is famous for his compassion for all living beings and rescuing people from suffering. It is also one of the "Thirty-three Temples of the West". This pilgrimage route covers 33 Kannon temples in the Kinki region, including Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture. Other well-known temples such as Mimurotoji Temple, Kamidaigoji Temple, Zenhoji Temple, Haseji Temple, etc. are also popular attractions for enjoying the scenery in all seasons. For interested readers, this route is not only suitable for worshiping, but also very suitable for taking the elders along so that they can enjoy the tranquility and blessings.
Landlord shrine praying for a good relationship (じしゅじんじゃ)
The statues of the Great God and the Rabbit at the gate are related to Japanese myths and legends. It turned out that this great god and half-brothers collectively called the Eighty Gods, but the half-brothers always squeeze out the Great Lord God. One day, these brothers will ask Hachigami Hime in Inaba (Tottori Prefecture) Proposing marriage, the god of the great kingdom is here to attend.A group of people spotted a rabbit on the beach with its whole body peeled off and lied to it and said, "It's so pitiful, so pitiful. Don't cry. You can wash it in the sea and let it dry in the high places, and it can be cured. The White Rabbit did so, but it turned out to be miserable.
After asking about the cause of the rabbit’s injury, the great god of the country looked at the rabbit’s dying breath and suggested to him: "You go to the river to wash yourself with fresh water, and then pluck the cattail pollen that grows on the riverbank. Roll on the pollen and it will return to its original state." I was ordered to do it, and it really restored the original rabbit skin.This white rabbit is the "Inaba White Rabbit" (inaba no white rabbit), and it is also the "Rabbit God".In order to repay the favor, the white rabbit prophesied to the Great Kingdom Lord God: "The Eighty Gods may fail to propose marriage. Even if you carry your luggage, Bashang Ji will probably choose you as her husband and son-in-law." As expected, Bashang Ji chose the Great Kingdom Lord God. (It is not difficult to understand why there are two bronze statues at the entrance of the shrine)
The origin of the shrine is very early, such as the inner sanctuary and smaller shrines that also enshrine the gods of early Shintoism in Japan, and the famous "Lian Zhani no stone" is also one of the relics of the Jomon period, and it is currently seen The building itself was rebuilt in 1633 by Tokugawa Shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa. Because the interior and exterior are representative of the culture of the times, it was designated as a world cultural heritage.
In addition to the well-known love divination stone, the other highlight is in the hall, a picture of "八方にらみの竜" drawn by the artist Kano Motoshin in the late Muromachi period. It is said that you will drink Otowa spring water at night, and no matter which one you come from Angle, you will feel that he is looking at you.If your itinerary can be planned well, on the first Sunday of each month, the Landlord God Society will hold a "monthly festival" to pray for a good relationship to help yourself or your relatives and friends to pray for a good relationship.
About Otowayama Kiyizumi (Otowa no Taki) and annual events
After visiting Kiyomizu Temple and Landlord Shrine that year, our leader and tour guide foreman reminded us to go to Otowa Qingquan, and Otowa Mountain Qingquan is said to have the effect of prolonging one's life, and people who believe in Buddhism believe that it can be protected after drinking. Six roots are quiet.The clear spring is divided into three: longevity, health and wisdom, and everything goes well after drinking. The clear water is cold, and it has a feeling of coolness and sweetness.
The official website of Kiyomizu Temple has a calendar of events for the year. Taking this year as an example, it lists Dharma meetings, prayers, night worship in spring, summer and autumn, and the New Year’s Eve bell ringing for the following New Year. It also clearly states the general opening hours and night opening Time, I recommend that you make good use of the official website of Japanese temples. There is a lot of information and service descriptions on it. It is indispensable to use the calendar for the coming year to help you plan your itinerary.
Suggestions for planning a one-day trip to Kiyomizu Temple
I used a flat map to mark the surroundings of Kiyomizu Temple and the enlarged scenic spots and business districts. Most people arrange the itinerary to go all the way from Gion to Hanami Koji, then turn to Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park, and finally head towards Kiyomizu Temple, and then drop in when they leave. Visit the nearby shops in Sakado, eat at the Nishiki Market or the Kawaramachi shopping district in the evening, and buy medicine and cosmetics and souvenirs nearby to complete the Kiyomizu Temple day trip.
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
- Address: 1 Shimizu 294-chome, Higashiyama District, Kyoto City
- Phone: 075-551-1234
- Opening hours: 06: 00-18: 00
- Kiyomizudera official website: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/
- Jishujinja Shrine official website: https://www.jishujinja.or.jp/
