Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kyoto)

 temple, buddhist temple

294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
Phone: +81 75-551-1234
www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/

Kiyomizu-dera, an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto, is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple was established in 798 and in 1633 the present buildings were erected as part of the restoration. No nail are used in construction of the whole temple.

The temple takes its name, which means means clear water or pure water, from the waterfall which runs off the nearby hills within the temple complex. Beneath the main hall is the waterfall, where three channels of water fall into a pond. Visitors can catch the water in tin cups and drink it. This water is believed to have therapeutic properties and drinking the water of the three streams is said to confer one with wisdom, health, and longevity.