Day 3: Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple 清水寺 is another ancient temple and UNESCO world heritage site on the east side of Kyoto. It’s name translates to “Pure Water Temple”, which people line up to drink. Founded in 778, this temple sits high on the mountainside with a great view of the city. The tall main structure of the Buddhist temple was constructed using no nails.

We were there about a week before the cherry blossoms bloomed, but that didn’t stop the view from being amazing. The trail up to the template was littered with stores selling trinkets, food and souvenirs, but we did manage to spot a shop selling nothing but Ghibli merchandise which we somehow left with money leftover.

A look at the main temple.

Store view from the top.

Marilyn by the entrance to the shrine.

A blooming plum blossom greets visitors.

A beautiful pagoda.

A look at the Ghibli store.

Stores on the route up.

A robot soldier planter from Laputa.

Marilyn with a view of the temple.

Adam with a view of the temple.

Winding path down the mountain.

Stones along the side of the path.

Hundreds of feet up, the temple looks like it sits on the trees.

People of all ages cleanse themselves before entering the temple.

A sakura filled cream puff.

Stopping for tea on the way down.

Sweet potato and pumpkin tempura.

After exploring the temple grounds we followed the crowds downhill through the touristy shopping district. We found an entire shop selling Ghibli merch and splurged on a few trinkets. And of course we picked up any tasty food we could find – starting with a cherry blossom cream puff and a sweet potato tempura.

We continued heading west and explored the Gion district next, famous for it’s geisha’s and history.