Kiyomizu-dera, Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto, Japan.
Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple perched on Mount Otowa with a wooden stage that extends 13 meters above the hillside. The structure is supported by numerous tall wooden pillars, and beneath it flows the Otowa waterfall with its revered streams.
The temple was founded in 778 and underwent significant expansion when a shogun added a structure from an imperial palace. A complete reconstruction took place later, giving the site its present form.
The Jishu Shrine within the complex is a place where visitors perform traditional love rituals, walking between two stones with closed eyes. This practice reflects how the location holds the hopes and personal wishes of its visitors.
The location sits on a hillside and is reached by walking, with staircases and paths leading gradually up to the temple. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the various areas of the complex.
The entire wooden structure of the temple was built without nails, held together by skilled wood joinery that provides stability and durability. This ancient building technique shows how precision and craftsmanship secured structural integrity without modern fasteners.
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