Subtitles section Play video
-
Kiyomizu-dera is the most popular temple in all of Kyoto and it's usually crowded – lots
-
of tour groups there. This video was photographed in the off-season
-
which was the first week of December and even then it was fairly busy -- comfortable, nice
-
to have some other people around, so no problem, but if you're here in the peak season during
-
the summer in the middle of the day there will be so many people you'll have a hard
-
time getting to the railing to enjoy a clear view of the beautiful scenery.
-
The main hall is the most spectacular single item here. It’s up on large wooden stilts
-
and designated as a national treasure. Large verandas and main halls like this were
-
constructed at many popular sites in the past to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims.
-
And then we have the views looking out across from the main hall into downtown.
-
Looking up towards the temple which is up on the hillside.
-
An old tradition that held that if you could survive a 13 meter jump from the stage, your
-
wish would be granted. Over 200 people jumped, most of them surviving, but that practice
-
is now prohibited. You can also buy good luck charms and various
-
kiosks here and omikugi which are the paper fortunes, and incense and various other talismans.
-
Shoppers will be kept quite busy at the various kiosks and you can also get a bite to eat
-
at some of the food stands. The word Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure
-
water. The Otowa waterfall runs off the nearby hills in three channels of water that fall
-
into a fountain. Visitors can catch and drink the water, which is believed to have wish-granting
-
powers. And it’s said you will gain health, longevity, and success in studies by drinking
-
from the three different streams. These typical incense burners offer a smoke
-
that's designed to chase away the evil spirits. The temple is actually so old that it predates
-
Kyoto itself. It dates back to the 700s, before Kyoto was founded as a city. Of course the
-
structures have been rebuilt numerous times since then. Most of the structures have been
-
rebuilt numerous times since then. There are some 30 buildings here and most were constructed
-
in the early Edo period, in the early 1630s. And the different altars and shrines within
-
the temple grounds -- Images of the Buddha here and there in the different altars and
-
shrines within the temple grounds. There's a Shinto shrine just as part of the
-
temple complex as you often find here, the Buddhist and the Shinto blended together,
-
the two religions harmoniously coexisting in Japan.
-
Kiyomizu-dera has something for everyone. First of all it's an important religious site
-
where serious pilgrims come to pray; young people come looking for good fortune; visitors
-
arrive to see the sites; history buffs have much to admire; shoppers are made happy by
-
vendors; and all fall under the spell of Kyoto's most popular temple.
-
During the busy seasons this temple gets extremely crowded with the tour groups. They come by
-
the busloads. But generally, early December is a wonderful time to be touring the temples
-
of Kyoto. It's just not very crowded. There's a monk waiting to receive some offerings.
-
This is part of our series on the temples and gardens of Eastern Kyoto, the Higashiyama
-
district, and also we’ll take you downtown in some of our other videos. Be sure to look
-
for them on our YouTube channel.