Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) @ Kyoto
10:24 PM
Kyoto is a city with many temples. Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) is a buddhist temple in Kyoto. As part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a must visit place. It is located on top of a hill, be ready for alot of walking when you are in Kyoto.
From Kyoto's famous Philosopher's Walk, we continued downstream to Maruta-machi Dori, passing Heian Shrine. Then, we walk via Jingu-michi until we reached Maruyama Park. Via Ninenzaka (二年坂) and Sannenzaka (三年坂) streets, we continued our journey until we reached Matsubara Dori (松原通) that leads to Kiyomizu-dera. Along the way, there are alot of shops selling souvenirs and snacks.
Alternative, Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 (15 minutes, 220 yen). Get off at Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, from where it is a ten minute uphill walk to the temple.
Entrance fee: 300 yen
(that was the first time I had to pay money to enter a temple, but it's worth it!)
From Kyoto's famous Philosopher's Walk, we continued downstream to Maruta-machi Dori, passing Heian Shrine. Then, we walk via Jingu-michi until we reached Maruyama Park. Via Ninenzaka (二年坂) and Sannenzaka (三年坂) streets, we continued our journey until we reached Matsubara Dori (松原通) that leads to Kiyomizu-dera. Along the way, there are alot of shops selling souvenirs and snacks.
Alternative, Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 (15 minutes, 220 yen). Get off at Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, from where it is a ten minute uphill walk to the temple.
Entrance fee: 300 yen
(that was the first time I had to pay money to enter a temple, but it's worth it!)
View of the temple in a sakura season...
The Japanese way of drawing lots for an oracle - omikuji (おみくじ)
1. Pay at the counter.
2. Shake the container until a stick comes out.
3. Check the number on the stick and get the piece of written fortune that matches that number.
4. Interpret your fortune.
When the prediction is bad, it is a custom to fold up the strip of paper and attach it to a pine tree or a wall of metal wires alongside other bad fortunes in the temple or shrine grounds.
There is a very interesting shrine in this temple. The Jishu Shrine, dedicated to Okuninushi, a god of love and "good matches".
This part of the temple is especially for people who wants to pray for love luck.
Jishu Shrine possesses a pair of "love stones" placed 6 meters/20 feet apart, which lonely visitors can try to walk between with their eyes closed. Success in reaching the other stone with their eyes closed implies that the pilgrim will find love, or true love. One can be assisted in the crossing, but this is taken to mean that a go-between will be needed. The person's romantic interest can assist them as well.
One of the two lovestones ...
Various talismans, incense, and omikuji (paper fortunes) are sold here...
The talismans are very neat and colourful too!
Many types of talisman for various aspects (health, study, wealth, romantic relationships, traffic...)
^^
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