Kyoto Winter Scene: Snow & Weather in Japan – 2PM Update

Kyoto, Japan – Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a historic Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto, continues to draw large numbers of visitors as it approaches its 1250th anniversary. Founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall, the temple is renowned for its wooden stage, which juts out from the main hall 13 meters above the hillside, offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding cherry and maple trees.

The temple, originally associated with the Hosso sect of Buddhism, now operates as part of its own Kita Hosso sect, established in 1965. In 1994, Kiyomizu-dera was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its cultural and historical significance.

Beyond its architectural features, Kiyomizu-dera is similarly known for Jishu Shrine, dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking. The shrine features two stones set 18 meters apart, and legend holds that successfully navigating between them with eyes closed will bring luck in finding love. Guidance from another person is also an option, though interpreted as a necessitate for an intermediary in romantic pursuits.

The Otowa Waterfall, from which the temple derives its name – “Pure Water Temple” – provides water divided into three separate streams. Each stream is believed to bestow a different benefit: longevity, success in studies, and a fortunate love life. However, consuming water from all three streams is considered greedy.

The temple’s main hall houses a statue of the eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon, the primary object of worship. The hall, along with the wooden stage, was constructed without the use of nails, a testament to traditional Japanese carpentry.

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the few temples in Kyoto that predates the city’s establishment as the capital, Heian-kyō. It stands alongside Kōryū-ji and Kurama-dera in this distinction. The temple is also considered one of Japan’s leading centers for Kannon worship, alongside Ishiyama-dera and Hase-dera.

The temple currently holds the Kanji of the Year ceremony annually on December 12th, a tradition that began in 1995. The ceremony’s continuation is scheduled for December 2026, with the selected Kanji to be announced at that time.