Kiyomizudera in June

Shibuya246 · 20 June 2012 · 12 photos

The red gate and pagoda at the top of the steps.

A morning at Kiyomizudera in June. It was the rainy season, with big clouds over the hills and everything a deep green.

It was busy, as it always is, but there is plenty of space to walk around once you are through the gate.

Looking back down the busy approach street towards the city — Looking back down the approach, with the hills behind the city.

Stone steps beside the red gate, with Kyoto below — The steps beside the gate, with Kyoto spread out below.

The three-storey pagoda and red temple halls with visitors in front — The three-storey pagoda.

Inside a temple hall with tall wooden pillars and a hanging lantern — Inside, the old wooden pillars and a big hanging lantern.

A shaded path through green trees below the temple — The shaded path down through the trees below the main hall.

The wooden stage of the main hall built out over the trees — The famous wooden stage, built out over the hillside.

View over the trees across Kyoto city — The view across Kyoto from the stage.

The main hall and its stage seen across the valley through trees — The main hall from across the valley, with the stage full of visitors.

Shops along a stone stairway with people holding parasols — Heading back down through the old shopping streets.

Entrance to a tea shop with a board advertising a matcha dessert set — A tea shop tucked away off the street, with a matcha dessert set on the board.

A stone-paved lane lined with old wooden shops — The stone-paved lanes below the temple, lined with old wooden shops.

After the temple I walked back down through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, the old stone-paved streets below it, which are a good place to stop for tea.

I took these photos in June 2012 and only got round to posting them in 2026.

Visiting today · Kyoto, Kansai

Visiting Kiyomizu-dera, Higashiyama, Kyoto today

Checked October 2026 · next check January 2027

Added by Shibuya246, separate from the original post above. Facts are checked every quarter against the sources below. Check opening times and prices before you go.

What it is: Hillside temple founded in 778, famous for its huge wooden stage jutting out over the trees with views across Kyoto.
Getting there: City Bus 206 or 100 from Kyoto Station to Gojozaka (¥230), then about 10 minutes uphill. Weekend/holiday EX100/EX101 express buses cost ¥500.
Hours: Daily 6:00–18:00 (to 18:30 in July–August). Autumn night viewing 21–30 Nov 2026, last entry 21:00.
Admission: ¥500 adults, ¥200 elementary/junior high (paid area around the Main Hall)
Tip: Gates open at 6:00 — arrive early to beat the crowds on the Kiyomizu-zaka slope. Don't block the street lingering for photos.

Best time