Hello! It's Mo! Summer is over and the weather is starting to feel a bit more autumnal! This time I'd like to introduce the illuminations at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, but do you know about this temple? When you think of famous temples in Kyoto, you think of Kinkaku-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, so I think some of you may already know about it! Recently, I've been hooked on lesser known temples and shrines, and I've been looking for various temples and shrines in Kyoto, but the illuminations at Kiyomizu-dera Temple during the autumn foliage season are a must-see ♡ I'd like to introduce to you all the charms of the illuminations at Kiyomizu-dera Temple during the autumn foliage season, so please read until the end!

 

【table of contents】

☆About Kiyomizu-dera Temple

☆In fact, illuminations aren't only available in autumn!

☆The illuminated autumn leaves at Kiyomizu-dera Temple are the best!

 

☆About Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a very famous tourist spot in Kyoto, but have you ever wondered why it is so famous?

 

First of all, it is probably because this phrase is so famous. "Jumping off the stage of Kiyomizu-dera" is a phrase used to mean tackling something with strong will and determination. The origin of this phrase is the stage of Kiyomizu-dera, which is built on a cliff 13 meters high, about the height of a four-story building, by combining 139 pieces of wood called "Hell Stope" vertically and horizontally. In fact, the pieces of wood are skillfully joined together using a technique called "Jointing", so not a single nail is used. In the Edo period, it is said that many people actually jumped off the stage, believing the rumor that if they risked their lives to jump off the stage, their wishes would come true. Because there were so many people jumping off, the government issued a ban on jumping in 1872, and the number of people jumping off decreased after that. No matter how much you want your wish to come true, please do not try this at home!

 

From this history, we can see that Kiyomizu-dera has been popular since the Edo period. It seems that many people visited Kiyomizu-dera not for the stage but for the "Kannon faith" of Kannon, who answers the wishes of all people in this world. Nowadays, Kiyomizu-dera is famous for its stage, but in the Edo period, it seems that it was known to many people for the "tremendous" benefits of the Kannon here. In fact, Kiyomizu-dera is home to a secret Buddha statue that has been passed down for over 1,000 years, the "Wooden Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva Standing Statue"! Because it is extremely rare, it is only displayed to the public once every 33 years. I wonder if I will be able to see it in my lifetime. I would also like to go at least once in my life!

 

☆In fact, illuminations aren't only available in autumn!

There are many reasons why Kiyomizu-dera is so popular, but the scenery there is something else! In spring, about 1,500 cherry trees, including Somei-yoshino and Yamazakura, bloom in full glory, and in autumn, a sea of gorgeous autumn leaves spreads across the ground, known as Kinunkyo. It's so beautiful it will take your breath away. Kiyomizu-dera is also very beautiful during the day, but at night it looks completely different. The illumination of the autumn leaves in autumn is very famous, but in fact, Kiyomizu-dera is illuminated three times a year, in spring, summer, and autumn.

 

You can see beautiful cherry blossoms at night during the spring illumination period! Kiyomizu-dera Temple surrounded by cherry blossoms is very fantastical and beautiful.

 

The summer illumination period is also known as the "Yoi Matsuri" (evening festival), and you can visit the temple at night during this period. The temple grounds are also lit up. This period coincides with the "Sennichi Mairi" (a day of great merit for Kannon), so it is said that one day of worship will bring you the benefits of 1,000 days.

 

In 2020, spring is March 27th to April 5th, summer is August 14th to August 16th, and autumn is November 18th to November 30th. (This information is current as of August 28th, 2020, and may have changed. For more information, please check the official website. The official Kiyomizu-dera website is here: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/)

 

☆The illuminated autumn leaves at Kiyomizu-dera Temple are the best!

There are illuminations in spring and summer, but the illuminations in autumn are a must-see! Kyoto has many famous spots for viewing autumn leaves, attracting many tourists. Among the many beautiful spots, the autumn leaves at Kiyomizu-dera Temple are particularly famous! The autumn leaves are beautiful during the day, but the only place you can experience a truly fantastic atmosphere is when the leaves are lit up at night! The illuminations of the autumn leaves at Kiyomizu-dera Temple are introduced on various websites. So, it seems like you need to be prepared for crowds. But if you change the time of day, the season, and where you line up before the gates open, you can avoid the crowds a little!

The recommended time to avoid crowds is to go between 8:30pm and 9pm. However, please note that if you go at 9pm, you will only have 30 minutes to view. Also, it seems that there are fewer people around in December. However, the color of the leaves varies from year to year, so it is recommended to check before you go. If you are lining up for the gates to open, it seems that it is less crowded to line up from Chawanzaka rather than Shimizuzaka. The flow after the gates open also seems to be smoother.

 

There are still many charms about Kiyomizu-dera Temple that have yet to be fully conveyed.

If you are interested, please visit the website below.

The official website of Kiyomizu-dera Temple is here: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/

 

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