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Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera, another view
Kiyomizu-dera, another view

Landmark · Higashiyama · Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera

Cedar beams, incense and a sea of maples under the stage

‹ Kyoto
When it fits
Best in the morning · about 75 min
Your plan checks the real hours for your dates.

Where it is

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Straight-line distances: Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka 392 m · Yasaka Shrine 1.2 km · Kyoto National Museum 1.2 km. Not travel times.

Why Aura
The wooden stage of the main hall juts out over the hillside with the whole city below. It opens at 6:00: come at opening, before the lanes below fill, then walk down through Sannenzaka.
IconicGo earlyViewRomantic
Photo tip · Aura editorial

Opening time (6:00), autumn and spring mornings · from From the Okunoin platform looking back at the main hall's stage and the city beyond

Today06:00–18:00Two sources disagree
All hoursMo-Su 06:00-18:00; Jul 01-Aug 31 06:00-18:30; Mar 27-Apr 05,Aug 14-Aug 16,Nov 21-Nov 30 06:00-21:30 · valid 2026-01-01 → 2026-12-31 only (2026 table; the night-viewing periods change every year (last entry 21:00 on those nights)) · OpenStreetMap says “Mo-Su 06:00-18:00”
Visit lengthAbout 75 min
WeatherOutdoorsUsed by the rain swap in Live
EffortSome slopes or steps
Sources and dates (5)
  • When it fits: Aura editorial estimate.
  • Today: per kiyomizudera.or.jp, read 30 Sept 2026
  • Visit length: Aura estimate
  • Effort: Aura estimate
  • Tags are Aura editorial judgement.

Why, feel, tags and tips are Aura editorial. Hours and positions come from OpenStreetMap; prices only when read from a named source on a date. Ratings and reviews are not shown: no provider is connected in this build, and under EEA terms Google ratings may appear only inside Google’s own place card.

If it rains

Kyoto National MuseumHigashiyama · Kyoto's treasure house: Buddhist sculpture, screens, ceramics and calligraphy in the Heisei Chishinkan wing. Open late on Fridays; during special exhibitions the collection galleries change, so check what is on.Sanjūsangen-dōHigashiyama · A 120-metre wooden hall holding 1,001 gilded statues of Kannon in ranks, with the guardian deities in front. Shoes off; a good covered stop on a wet day, next to the National Museum.
Official site ↗Directions in Google Maps ↗ (opens Google; Aura sends only the coordinates)OpenStreetMap record ↗Wikipedia ↗

Also in this area

Sannenzaka and NinenzakaHigashiyama · Two stepped lanes of wooden townhouses, a protected historic district, linking Kiyomizu-dera to Yasaka Shrine. Walk them downhill right after the temple, before the shops open and the crowds arrive.
Yasaka ShrineGion · Gion's own shrine, open day and night at the top of Shijō-dōri. Pass through after dinner, when the lanterns of the dance stage are lit, then walk into Maruyama Park or down to Gion.
Gion and Hanami-kōjiGion · The teahouse quarter south of Shijō-dōri, lanterns and latticed facades along Hanami-kōji. Walk the public street and let it be a neighbourhood: the district asks visitors not to stop, touch or photograph geiko and maiko without consent, and its private side alleys are closed to through-walking.