Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera

Also known as Mount Kiyomizu, Kongōhō-ji, and Gokoku-in, Kiyomizu-dera is a temple located in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It serves as the head temple of the Kokuzo Bukkyō sect, with the mountain name "Mount Kiyomizu" and the principal image being the Eleven-faced Kannon. It is said to have been founded by the monk Eko in the first year of the Hōki era (770), and the temple gets its name from the three wells within its grounds—clear water, willow water, and lucky water. The waters from these three wells have been designated as part of Japan’s Top 100 Famous Waters.

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most popular temples in Wakayama Prefecture, known for its ancient temple architecture, sweet well water, and as a great spot for cherry blossom viewing. It is also the second site of the Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage, which spans the Kansai region of Japan and Gifu Prefecture, attracting numerous worshippers from across the country every year, keeping the temple lively throughout the seasons. The temple’s well-preserved gate, bell tower, and wooden statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon are all designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and the main hall is a Wakayama Prefecture-designated Cultural Property. In spring, the temple’s 1,200 cherry blossom trees bloom brilliantly, creating a stunning cloud-like spectacle that ranks it among Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots.

Kimiidera

Must-visit reason: One of the liveliest temples in Wakayama Prefecture

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia

Country/region where the attraction is located: Japan

Province/state where the attraction is located: Wakayama Prefecture

City where the attraction is located: Wakayama City