As for “Kiyomizu-dera Temple” which is one of the sightseeing spots representing Kyoto, I went to see it because the illumination by “Night special visit” was held on 3/27 ~ 4/5 the other day!
While all the lights up at night such as Nijo-jo Castle were canceled due to the new Corona, only this Kiyomizu-dera Temple was held with the impressive purpose of “Now is the time to give people courage.”!
This time, the cherry blossoms in full bloom were beautiful as it was “Spring”, and I was able to encounter many impressive landscapes such as cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the lake!
Index
held 3 times a year “Night special visit”
- Spring: March 27 to April 5
- Summer: August 14 to 16th (1000 day visit/special visit to the inner sanctuary of the main hall)
- Autumn: November 18 to November 30
The “Night special visit” is held 3 times a year at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto. The schedule for this year 2020 is as you can see. The festival is held in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom and in the autumn when the leaves change color.
Take Matsubara Street, also known as “Kiyomizu-michi Road” to Kiyomizu Temple! The number of foreigners has decreased and Kyoto is empty, but, as you might expect, there were people passing through this Kiyomizu-michi, and some shops were still open.
Daytime is good, but the approach at night is also tasteful and good!
During the light-up period, a blue streak of light shines from the mountain side toward the urban area, expressing the mercy of Kannon. It is a fantastic production, but I personally think it is better not to use it because it interferes with the illumination of the temple …
Admission: 400 yen
The entrance gate for night special admission is in front of the west gate. It is in front of the main hall during normal hours, but the paid area is expanded at night.
The ticket booth is a temporary tent in front of it. The admission fee is 400 yen, the same as during the day.
The ticket has a special specification that is different from the daytime, but it is not a thick paper like a bookmark, but a thin colored paper. Even so, it is not usually available, so I think it will be a memory.
The vermilion building is beautifully lit up!
Now, speaking of Kiyomizu Temple, there are a number of vermilion buildings standing in front of the main hall, and at night, many of them are lit up for fantastic beauty!
I usually pass by casually, but if you say “charge”, I can’t go through as expected.
The most prominent of these is the “Three-storey pagoda” which is also famous as a symbol of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Built in 1632 (Founded in 847), the 31 m tall vermilion pagoda blends well with the cherry blossom landscape and is beautiful!
A little further back is “Kyodo” and “Kaisan-do Hall”. This is different from the three-storied pagoda, it is designed to light from the foot.
The night view from the side of the west gate is amazing! You can clearly see the illumination of Kyoto Tower on your left.
The main hall is normally open
After seeing the vermilion buildings, go from the side of the ticket booth to the main hall! From here, it will be the daytime pay area.
The main hall is open as it is during the day, and there is also a shop. You can also buy omamori and omikuji.
Saisenbako (offertory box) is also placed, and visitors can pray as usual. The inside of the temple is surrounded by a solemn atmosphere which is different from the one in the daytime, which is nice!
Fantastic “Kiyomizu no Butai”
And the best scenic spot in Kiyomizu-dera Temple “Kiyomizu no Butai”. It is also surrounded by the illumination of the trees and has a fantastic atmosphere!
Kiyomizu stage is also designated as a national treasure. The stage made by a method called “joint” which does not use even one nail, looks great no matter when you see it.
The one who can play the stage of Shimizu from the best position is “inner sanctuary”. Although it does not attract much attention, it is also a building with a magnificent scaffold called “Kake-zukuri” which is the same as the main hall.
Cherry blossoms reflected on the surface of the lake are so beautiful!
After going through Amida-do Hall, Okunoin and Otowa-no-taki Falls from the main hall, go to the entrance through the promenade. This is the end of the visit to Kiyomizudera Temple, but the highlights of the cherry blossoms at night are concentrated in the latter half of the observation route, and this promenade is the best spot for cherry blossoms!
There are not so many cherry blossoms, but the collaboration with the vermilion three-storied pagoda facing the top of the cliff is wonderful!
The lake at the end of the tour was the most impressive. There is a “11. Heavy Stone Column” here, and it is a bit of a scenic spot.
The view of cherry blossoms reflected in the lake here is so fantastic! At this time, there is almost no wind and the “Sakasa Zakura” that reflects like a mirror comes up clearly.
There are a lot of Someiyoshino around this lake, and wherever you look at the camera, it’s beautiful and makes a picture! It’s worth a visit just to see this.
I would love to visit once in my life!
That’s why I got drunk with the fantastic scenery of Kiyomizudera Temple and visited it at night. It is a place I have been familiar with since I was a child, but the beauty of the illumination at night is exceptional! I think it is a place worth visiting once in a lifetime.
The event period is very short, but if you have a chance, please come!
Kiyomizu-dera Temple “Night special visit”
- Opening hours: 18:00 ~ 21:30 (21:00 Last admission)
- Details of the schedule can be found on the official website.
The list of articles about sightseeing in Kyoto is here → “Kyoto“