Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple in the eastern part of Kyoto, Japan. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji, and Otsu Cities).
Kiyomizu-dera was established during the early Heian period. Sakanoue no Tamuramaro erected the temple in 778, and Tokugawa Iemitsu had the current buildings to be built in 1633. In the entire construction, not a single nail is used. It gets its name from a waterfall within the complex that flows down from the adjacent hills. Kiyomizu is Japanese for "clear water" or "clean water."
Kiyomizu-dera is situated in the foothills of Mount Otowa, which is part of the Higashiyama mountain range, which overlooks eastern Kyoto. The main hall features a huge veranda supported by towering pillars that jut out over the hillside and provides stunning views of the city. During the Edo period, several prominent pilgrimage destinations built enormous verandas and major halls to accommodate big crowds.
Several other shrines are located within the temple complex, including the Jishu Shrine, which is devoted to Kuninushi, a god of love and "excellent matches." Jishu Shrine has a pair of "love stones" that are 10 meters (30 feet) apart and can be walked between by lonely visitors with their eyes closed. The pilgrim's success in reaching the other stone with their eyes closed indicates that they will discover love or true love. The Otowa waterfall is located beneath the main hall and consists of three waterfall channels that flow into a pond. Visitors can catch and drink the water, which is said to grant wishes.
The complex also sells talismans, incense, and omikuji (paper fortunes). During festivals (notably New Year's and obon in the summer), more vendors cover the grounds, selling traditional holiday dishes and souvenirs to swarms of tourists. Kiyomizu-dera was one of 21 finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 but was not chosen as one of the seven winning locations.
Location: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan
