Touristy Kiyomizudera Temple @ Kyoto

Kiyomizu Dera is one of the largest and oldest temples in Kyoto. The temple was founded in 778 on top of a hill overlooking the city. The buildings that are currently standing were created in the early 1630s and were made without using a single nail. The temple is famous for clean, wish granting water as well as the trees surrounding the temple. Depending on the season, the trees give the temple a completely different look, which makes the temple worth coming back to. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Currently several section in the temple are on renovation.

The interesting part of visiting Kiyomizudera is the way to the temple along the steep and busy lanes of the atmospheric Higashiyama District. Many shops and restaurants in the area have been catering to tourists and pilgrims for centuries, and products on sale range from local specialties such as Yatsuhashi, sweets and pickles to the standard set of souvenirs.

Walking on the way up to Kiyomizu temple.

Geisha with pagoda as background.

Many shops selling Yatsuhashi a delicious Kyoto snack. Its also known as hijiri is made with cinnamon, but the cinnamon is mixed with bean paste and then folded into the hijiri to make a triangle-shape. Today, you can buy a wide variety of flavors, including matcha/green tea, chocolate, banana and black sesame.

Wow, this is good. So many sample to try on. Raw Yatsuhashi is delicious.

Another side of the shop. So many flavours and choices. But be reminded that you only purchase back home if you are about to leave Kyoto as it only last for 1 week.

Many tourist going up Kiyomizu-dera temple.

Tiring going up the stairs but worth the view and touristy atmosphere.

Some sweet delicacy of Kyoto on display.

A stall selling beef buns.

Huge group of tourist.

Reached Kiyomizudera temple

Reach the entrance to Kiyomizudera temple.

Koyasu pagoda.

Many wishes and memo written by visitors of Kiyomizudera temple.

You can view Kyoto city from Kiyomizudera as it located on top of a hill.

Me with Kyoto city background.

Red autumn colour.

GPS/Coordinate: 34.994909, 135.785003
Address: 294 Kiyomizu 1-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0862, Japan.
Admission fee: 300 Yen.
Public transport: Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 in 15 minutes. Get off at Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, from where it is a ten minute uphill walk to the temple. Alternatively, Kiyomizudera is about a 20 minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station on Keihan Railway Line.