Early this morning we boarded bus 100 to visit Kiyomizudera (Pure Water) Temple, one of the most well known temples in all of Japan and an UNESCO world heritage sight. It was founded in 780 and was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest sects within Japanese buddhism. The present buildings were constructed in 1633, during a restoration ordered by the Tokugawa Iemitsu. We approached the temple with a 15 minute walk straight up the steep and busy residential streets of the Higashiyama District with homes, shops and restaurants dotting the side of the road. Close to the top, we spotted the orange and white temple jutting into the air ahead of us, with blossoming pink plum trees in front, and wooded hills as a backdrop. It was quite a sight to behold!
The color and detailing on the structures was gorgeous and in stark contrast to the green and brown of the surrounding natural scenery. We worked our way around the main hall, inside and to the terrace overlooking Kyoto, spotting the Kyoto Tower (right next to our hotel) way off in the distance. Behind the main hall we walked up the steps to Jishu Shrine, which is dedicated to the deity of love:
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