Kyoto Travel: Kiyomizu dera Temple to Gion

It's easy to spend an entire day exploring the beautiful area known as Higashiyama. Here I will give you an idea how to one-day walking tour from Kiyomizu dera Temple to Gion.

Kiyomizudera (清水寺, literally "Pure Water Temple") is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, and derives its name from the fall's pure waters. 

The temple was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism, but formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

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Kiyomizudera Temple Hours :

6:00 to 18:00 (until 18:30 on weekends and holidays from mid April through July and everyday in August and September)

Kiyomizudera Entrance Fee:

400 yen

At the bright 2-story entrance gate Rōmon 楼門 of Kiyomizu-dera, where the 3-story pagoda Sanjūnotō 三重塔 is, there’s a perfect spot to take in the expanse of Kyoto city with the Kyoto Tower in plain sight. Founded in 778 A.D., the present structures were rebuilt in the 17th-century.

Kiyomizu Dera Access

Kiyomizu Dera can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 (15 minutes, 230 yen). Get off at Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, from where it is a ten minute uphill walk to the temple. Alternatively, Kiyomizudera is about a 20 minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station along the Keihan Railway Line.

Jishu-jinja

Just a short walk from the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera is a smaller shrine, Jishu-jinja 地主神社, where students and young persons flock to. Dedicated to the deity of love and matchmaking, it’s one place frequented by those looking for love – some shyly, some boldly. You might chance upon people walking, with their eyes closed, between the 2 stones placed 18m apart at the shrine’s entrance. Some believe that this will bring their luck in finding their true love.

There are a few temple rest huts situated at intervals in the temple. You can took a rest at these huts, drinking tea, and eating matcha ice cream.

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From Kiyomizudera Temple to Gion

From Kiyomizu dera temple, you can walked through the narrow lanes of Higashiyama. After the pleasant walk, you reached Maruyama Park. Similar to most of the parks in Japan during the cherry blossom season, it was a popular spot for hanami. There were many small stalls selling many Japanese food and snacks. Just next to the park was the Yasaka Shrine, which was also known as Gion Shrine. 

Gion (祇園) is Kyoto's most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west. It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.

Many tourists visit Gion hoping to catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko on their way to or from an engagement at an ochaya in the evenings or while running errands during the day. However, if you spot a geiko or maiko, act respectfully. Complaints about tourists behaving like ruthless paparazzi are on the increase in recent years.

Yasaka Pagoda

Yasaka Pagoda, the last remnant of Hokanji Temple, is one of the most visible and recognizable landmarks in the Higashiyama District. Visitors may climb up the inside of the five story pagoda, which is a rare opportunity as most pagoda can only be viewed from the outside.

Hours: 10:00 to 16:00

Yasaka Entrance Fee: 400 yen

credits: Japan travel guide

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