On the way up, there were tons of people and tour groups visiting this area. The narrow streets of Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka, have many shops and food stalls, which have been catering to locals and tourists for centuries. Some store owners even retain their traditional design shops. However, I was already too exhausted to appreciate it since we'd been exploring around the city before visiting the famous Kiyomizu-Dera Temple. Plus going to the site was like walking an uphill battle.

Kiyomizu-Dera is a Buddhist temple located halfway up of Otowa Mountain in the eastern part of Kyoto. The temple, dating from 778 AD, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was in fact, on the shortlist for the New 7 Wonders of the World. The temple complex includes a large wooden viewing terrace declared a national treasure, a three-story Koyasu pagoda, Sanjunoto pagoda, and several other shrines and halls. It offers remarkable views over the city of Kyoto and its mountain covered with lush greenery. The temple is also selling various talismans, incense, and omikuji (paper fortunes).

View of Kyoto and Niomon Gate

The Main Hall in Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which stands on the steep cliff of Mt. Otowa.

Three-Story Pagoda

Japanese girls wearing yukata at the Deva gate

Jishu Shrine is dedicated to a deity of love and matchmaking

In front of the shrine are two stones 18 meters apart, believed to bring luck in finding love if you find your way from one stone to the other with your eyes closed.

Statuettes of Ksitigarbha (or Jizō)

If you happen to visit the temple, don't forget to take a little sip of water from the Otowa waterfall, divided into three separate streams, and is said to grant wishes to those who drink it. However, you can only drink from any one of the streams, as drinking from all of them is considered greedy and may result in misfortune.

Kiyomizu--Dera Temple opens at 6:00 in the morning, but closing time varies depending on the season. The admission Fee is 400 Yen/adult (as of July 2021) if you're going inside the main hall.

You can watch the video on YouTube: Kiyomizudera Temple including Gion and Kamo River

The temple does not have a parking lot on its ground. Visitors can use city parking lots or multiple temporary private parking spaces nearby the temple or at the base of the approach. During the busy seasons, all parking lots tend to be jammed. Using public transportation or taxi is strongly recommended.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple: Located at 1-chōme-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan.