Taiwan and Japan once shared deep historical ties. As a former Japanese colony, Taiwan still bears many traces of Japanese influence, including in architecture, culture, language, and cuisine. But when it comes to Japanese culture, one can't miss its temples. During that era, the Japanese also built many shrines in Taiwan. One of them, Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Hualien, is a must-visit attraction for those traveling to Hualien. Let's explore the story behind Kiyomizu-dera Temple and find out recommended accommodations for your trip to Hualien.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
A Glimpse into the History of Hualien’s Immigrant Village
During Japan’s Meiji period, Shintoism flourished, and shrines were built all over the country, including in the then-colony of Taiwan. As a representative Japanese temple on Taiwan’s east coast, the significance of Kiyomizu-dera Temple cannot be overlooked. Its rarity among temple buildings makes it even more precious.
This religious site was built in the sixth year of the Taisho era (1917), originally serving as the Shingon sect Yoshino Mission Hall. It was the faith center of the Yoshino immigrant village, enshrining the Immovable Wisdom King (Fudomyoo). The site includes the main hall, temizuya (hand-washing pavilion), garden, and 88 stone Buddha statues, making it a classic place to learn about the history of Japanese temples.
During the Japanese colonial period, Hualien planned three major immigrant villages, one of which was Yoshino Village—now known as Ji’an Township. Most of the immigrants came from around the Yoshino River on Japan’s Shikoku Island, hence the village’s name. The settlement had a well-organized structure, including an immigration guidance center, local administrative office (town hall), elementary school (now Ji’an Elementary School), shrine, and post office. The Shingon Mission Hall was also established at the initiative of a Japanese man named Kawabata Mitsujii, originating from the Shikoku region. After the retrocession, it was renamed Kiyomizu-dera Temple and remains so today.?
The main hall features traditional Japanese hōgyō-zukuri (treasure-house-style) architecture.?
Kiyomizu-dera Temple has been designated as a national historic site. After restoration by the Ministry of Culture in 2002, it was entrusted to private management, passing through several operators before coming under the administration of Hualien County Cultural Affairs Bureau. The most valuable part of the entire complex is the main hall building, a worship space that includes the prayer hall and dharma lecture platform. The layout consists of three bays in the front and four bays on the sides, featuring an enclosed corridor with movable doors separating it from the prayer hall. The wooden panels of the doors are about 90 cm high and fitted with glass windows to allow ample light into the interior, creating a bright and open atmosphere.
The roof design is the rare hōgyō-zukuri (steeple-style) architecture in Taiwan, equivalent to the Chinese pyramidal roof style. It is characterized by the absence of a central ridge, with only a single spire at the top. Examples include the golden and silver pavilions of Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, as well as the five-story pagoda of Hōryū-ji in Japan.
The main hall is predominantly constructed from wood. Unusually, the roof tiles are not the typical Japanese-style tiles seen in Taiwan. Even the extended eaves (the overhanging part at the entrance of temples and shrines) are made of copper sheets—a material also found in other shrine buildings in Taiwan. The main hall currently enshrines Fudomyoo and Vaishravana (Guardian King of the North). Visitors may remove their shoes to enter the prayer hall, but the dharma lecture platform where the deities are enshrined is off-limits.
The Journey of the 88 Stone Buddhas
Take in the scenery of the courtyard outside the main hall,Kiyomizu-dera Temple resembles a Japanese garden,The surrounding corridors were added later,The dozens of stone Buddha statues enshrined here are also valuable cultural artifacts,These are the important 88 stone Buddha statues of the Shingon sect.In Japan’s Shikoku region, there are 88 sacred sites(temples)associated with Kobo Daishi (Kūkai),and devout followers visit these 88 temples following in his footsteps..The Japanese immigrants who came to Taiwan back then were unable to return home to pray.,So Kanzaburo Kawabata brought in eighty-eight stone Buddhist statues one by one from his hometown and enshrined them in the mission hall.,This allowed believers to worship nearby..
The stone statues within the cloister are solemn and dignified,,blending old and new elements.,Of the original eighty-eight stone statues, due to the passage of time,,only seventeen remain from the original set today.,The rest have been newly crafted.,Visitors can distinguish them by the clarity of the inscriptions on the statues..
The surroundings of Qingshuu Temple are tranquil and serene,,quiet and pleasant.,It is a highly beloved Buddhist destination among Japanese tourists..The candle holders and fresh flowers in front of the statues are the prayers left by visitors;;the curling smoke weaves together stories from ancient times to the present,,continuing to await the footsteps of other travelers..
. Stories about Kiyohara Temple
. # Daruma Dolls and Ema Prayer Plaques
. Ema are wooden prayer plaques offered at Japanese shrines or temples to make wishes. They come in various shapes, but the most common are five-sided wooden boards on which worshippers write their wishes. These are then burned collectively at the end of the year. Daruma dolls serve a similar purpose. Originating from Gunma Prefecture, these wish-making items involve painting one eye black when making a wish. The other eye is painted once the wish comes true. Like ema, daruma are also burned at the year’s end so that the divine messenger within can ascend to heaven and report the fulfillment of the wish.
. # High-Floor Foundations
. Elevated foundations are a fundamental construction technique in traditional Japanese architecture, known as takayuka or "high-floor." This method raises the structure off the ground to protect wooden materials from moisture, achieving ventilation, moisture-proofing, and protection against insects, ants, snakes, and rodents. The standard height is typically around 1.5 shaku (approximately 45 cm), while Kiyohara Temple's foundation is notably higher, at about 1.2 meters.
. # Statue of Kobo Daishi
. Kobo Daishi is the founder of Shingon Buddhism. His monastic name was Kukai, and he was originally from Sanuki (present-day Kagawa) in Shikoku. He was also a member of the Tang Dynasty envoy mission. This statue stands at the center of the main hall’s Dharma lecture platform and is said to be the original carving, though some say it is a newer replica.
. # Information About Kiyohara Temple
. Address: No. 245-1, Zhongxing Road, Ji’an Village, Ji’an Township, Hualien County
. Phone: (03) 853-5479
. Operating Hours: 08:30–17:00, closed on Mondays
. Website: www.yoshino793.com.tw
. Recommended Accommodations in Hualien
. Classic City Resort
. Classic City Resort is located less than 500 meters from downtown, allowing you to freely explore Hualien City. The hotel mainly uses marble and granite in its decor to create an aristocratic ambiance, aiming to offer guests the most prestigious experience for a classic holiday. Not only is Classic City Resort close to the train station, but there are also bus stops within 500 meters, making it easy to get around Hualien even without a car. Additionally, the resort offers foreign currency exchange services, which is convenient if you’re traveling with international friends.
. - Facilities -
. ? Rooms: Bathroom, hairdryer, wired/wireless internet, refrigerator, tea maker, coffee machine, sofa, lavender bath set
?. Restaurant: Free Chinese and Western breakfast provided (7:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.)
?. Others: Gym, café, meeting rooms, business center, lounge
. - Services -
. Free Wi-Fi, foreign currency exchange, 24-hour front desk, parking, multilingual staff, bellhop, laundry service, shuttle service, newspapers/magazines, bicycle rental
. ? Phone:. (03) 835-9966
. ? Address:. No. 139, Guolian 5th Road, Hualien City
?. Transportation:. Hualien Railway Station, a 5-minute walk
. Lishiuan Hotel
Lixuan International Hotel is located in the prime tourist area of Hualien. It is about a 10-minute drive from the train station, and many famous attractions in Hualien—such as Songyuan Guesthouse, Qingshuiyuan, Qixingtan, the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park, and Dongmen Night Market—are all within a 10–20 minute drive, making it easy for you to explore Hualien. One highlight of Lixuan Hotel is its sky garden, which guests can use. During the day, you can enjoy the beautiful mountain and sea views, and in the morning, have a cup of coffee while taking in the scenery and breathing fresh air. Isn’t this what a dream vacation looks like?
-Facilities-
?Rooms: Free Wi-Fi, LCD TV, cable TV channels, separate wet and dry bathroom facilities, 110V and 220V power outlets, complimentary mineral water, tea bags, and coffee packs
?Restaurant: Serves Chinese and Western-style buffet breakfast, with breakfast vouchers provided according to room type.
?Others: Lounge (reservation and fee required), SPA hot spring area, business center, sky garden, fitness center, chess and leisure room (reservation required)
-Services-
Free Wi-Fi, self-service laundry, free shuttle service (reservation required 2 days in advance, includes one free pickup and one free drop-off)
?Telephone:(03) 8246-898
?Address:No. 99-1, Zhongmei Road, Hualien City
?Transportation:Hotel shuttle bus (recommended) | Take bus 1123 from Hualien Railway Station and get off at Zhongxin Hotel stop, then walk 2 minutes.
Recommended Accommodation in Hualien
Hualien Charming City Hotel
Hualien Charming City Hotel is located near Hualien Railway Station, just a 5-minute walk away, making it very convenient for families or travelers arriving by train without a car. The hotel offers various room types, including family suites suitable for families and simple as well as deluxe rooms. The hotel features a more European-style decor, with a simple and elegant atmosphere that helps you relax the moment you step into your room. Some rooms are equipped with sauna facilities and Jacuzzi bathtubs to help wash away the fatigue of the day. What could be happier than this?
-Facilities-
Rooms: Separate wet and dry bathrooms, LCD TV, hairdryer, wired and wireless internet, refrigerator, coffee machine, central air conditioning; some room types include sauna oven and Jacuzzi bathtub.
Restaurant: Complimentary Chinese and Western-style breakfast
Others: 19th-floor bar, café, fitness center, conference rooms, children’s play area, large outdoor space
-Services-
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, wired internet, Hualien travel itinerary consultation, car rental service, bicycle rental, thoughtful loan items, parking lot
?Telephone:(03) 835-3355
?Address:No. 19, Guoxing 2nd Street, Hualien City
?Transportation:Hualien Railway Station, a 5-minute walk
Fullon Hotel Hualien
Fullon Hotel Hualien is about a 15-minute drive from Hualien Railway Station and is very close to the seaside. The rooms offer direct views of the blue ocean and the city of Hualien. Waking up in the morning and pulling back the curtains to see such a view is like a beautiful painting for those of us who live in the city. It’s also convenient to travel to downtown Hualien from the hotel. For those who prefer not to drive, there is a thoughtful shuttle bus service available in the city area—just inquire at the front desk. This hotel, which combines relaxation and travel, can be said to be the top choice for visitors coming to Hualien for sightseeing purposes.
- Facilities -
? Rooms: Bathroom, hairdryer, wired/wireless internet, hairdryer, LCD TV, ocean view, refrigerator, electric kettle, private electronic safe, separate bathtub, 110V/220V power sockets.
? Restaurant: Chinese, Western, and Japanese breakfast (complimentary upon check-in), local Hualien cuisine
? Others: SPA, sauna, multi-function entertainment center, outdoorSwimming pool, gym, business center, meeting rooms, banquet hall, bar
- Services -
24-hour reception service, bicycle rental, Hualien city shuttle bus, laundry service, wired internet, Wi-Fi.
? Phone:(03) 823-9988
? Address:No. 51, Minsheng Road (Coastal Road), Hualien City
? Transportation:Hotel shuttle bus (recommended) | Hualien City Bus No. 1123, get off at Stone Sculpture Museum Station and walk 10 minutes
Author Introduction
Text / Jiang Mingli
Formerly a journalist for multiple travel media outlets, she has traveled the world on assignment, including Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Thailand, the U.S. and Canada, China, Russia, and Egypt, with a focus on China and Japan. She currently specializes in reporting on Taiwanese travel and food. Her personal publications include “Tailor-Made Homestay Stays,” “Century-Old Good Shops,” “Selected Authentic Taiwanese Snacks: Southern and Eastern Editions,” “A Wonderful Little Trip to Yilan,” “A Wonderful Little Trip to Hualien,” “A Wonderful Little Trip to Chiayi,” “A Wonderful Little Trip to Kaohsiung,” “A Wonderful Little Trip to Miaoli,” and more than 10 other books. She is now a freelance writer and a regular contributing reporter for HERE Magazine.
Photography / He Zhongcheng
Born in Pingtung, he loves to travel and has been a freelance photographer for many years, hoping to convey love and care through imagery.
Parts of this article are excerpted from “Japanese-Style Old House Travel Essays: Exploring Japanese Architecture, Stepping into the Nostalgic Eras, Communities, and Lifestyles of Old Taiwan,” courtesy of Shan Yue Publishing.