Kyoto - How to Get to Kiyomizudera from Kyoto Station

One of the must do in Kyoto is to visit the Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺), officially known as the Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺). With over 1,200 years of history, it is one of the signature UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kyoto.

How to Get to Kiyomizudera from Kyoto Station?

Getting to Kiyomizu Temple is rather easy. You can take the Route #206 or #100 bus from the bus station outside JR Kyoto. The "Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass" is 500 yen. It can be purchased from one of the vending machines near the bus station.



It will take approximately 15 minutes to get to the Kiyomizu Temple by bus. The entrance fee is 300 yen for adult.

Update: The main hall of Kiyomizu Temple will undergo large scale repair work from Spring 2017. It is expected to be completed by 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Visitors will still be able to worship the main hall.

The temple was associated with one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism. It is best known for its wooden stage that is 13 meters above the hillside below.



The place was crowded with high school students and avid believers.



The main hall of the Kiyomizu Temple is supported by 139 pillars. It is constructed using a wood building method called "Kazezukuri" which does not use a single nail or peg. A closer look reveal the details of the architecture built over 1,000 years ago.



Jishu Shrine (地主神社) is known as the cupid in Japan.



Its main god, Okuninushi no Mikoto, is a god that promotes endless love, wisdom and happiness. Many are here to pray for finding love and long lasting relationships.



Otowa Waterfall (音羽の滝) has water divided into three streams and it has wish-granting powers. Visitors would drink water from one of the streams. However, if one drinks from all three streams, it will be considered greedy and none of the benefits will be granted.



Accordingly, the left stream is for academic achievement, the middle stream is for success in love and the right stream is for longevity.


Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺)
Address: 294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862, Japan
Opening hours: 6:00am - 6:00pm