Temple
Kiyomizu-dera
清水寺
Founded in 780 on the Otowa waterfall in the eastern hills and part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Its main hall has a wooden stage 13 m above the hillside.
Key facts
- Station
- Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line)20 min walk
- Admission
- Paid entry
- Typical visit
- 1 h
- Hours
- 6:00 to 18:00 (until 18:30 in July and August); later during seasonal night illuminations
- Website
- www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en
Tip
The temple opens at 6:00; arriving soon after opening avoids the heaviest crowds on the approach lanes. The last part of the walk from the station or bus stop is uphill.
01Where to stay
Stay nearby
This place is in Kiyomizu-Gojo. Median hotel rate in the latest sample: US$397 per night. Where to stay in Kiyomizu-Gojo
Prices and availability come from the booking sites and can change.
02Map
Nearby places
- Street Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka 産寧坂・二寧坂 Two stepped, stone-paved lanes on the approach to Kiyomizu-dera, lined with preserved wooden shops, cafes and restaurants. Free entry 45 min 15 min walk
- Landmark Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji) 八坂の塔（法観寺） The five-storied pagoda of Hokan-ji, the last remaining structure of the temple, rising above the lanes between Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine. Paid entry 15 min 15 min walk
- Temple Kodai-ji 高台寺 A Rinzai Zen temple founded in the early 1600s by Nene in memory of her husband Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Paid entry 45 min 15 min walk
- Street Ishibe-koji Lane 石塀小路 A pedestrian-only stone-paved lane of about 200 m near Kodai-ji, lined with wooden townhouses, ryokan and restaurants. Free entry 15 min 12 min walk
Sources · Verified 24 September 2026