Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a significant independent Buddhist temple in Eastern Kyoto.

The temple forms part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site.

The name of the temple translates in English to Pure Water Temple, because it was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto.

Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters above the hillside.

The stage affords nice views of the numerous cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of colour in spring and fall, as well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance.

The main hall, which together with the stage was built without the use of nails, houses the temple's primary object of worship, a small statue of the eleven faced, thousand armed Kannon.

The Otowa Waterfall is located at the base of Kiyomizudera's main hall. Its waters are divided into three separate streams, and visitors use cups attached to long poles to drink from them.

Each stream's water is said to have a different benefit, namely to cause longevity, success at school and a fortunate love life.

Getting There: Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 206 (15 minutes, 230 yen). Get off at Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, from where it is a ten minute uphill walk to the temple.

Alternatively, Kiyomizudera is about a 20 minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station along the Keihan Railway Line.

Admission Fee: is 500 Yen per person.

Opening Hours: 6 am to 6 pm.

Importance Rating: 10 - this is one of Kyoto's top sights.

Busyness Rating: 10 - it gets very busy.

Top Tips: For a more peaceful visit, visit Kiyomizu Temple early in the early morning or late in the afternoon.

To witness the temple's transformation, check out the special evening illuminations during cherry blossom season (late March to early April), autumn leaf season (mid-November), or Obon (mid-August).