Kiyomizu-dera's famous wooden terrace juts out from a hillside supported by 139 pillars — and not a single nail was used in the entire structure. Built in 778, the temple takes its name from the Otowa waterfall that flows beneath it, 'kiyomizu' meaning 'pure water.' The current buildings date from 1633, rebuilt after a fire by the Tokugawa shogunate, but the engineering is still astonishing — the terrace hangs 13 metres above the hillside like a wooden balcony cantilevered over the forest.
The Japanese expression 'to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu' is the equivalent of 'to take the plunge.' During the Edo period, there was a popular belief that if you survived the 13-metre jump from the terrace, your wish would be granted. According to temple records, 234 people actually jumped between 1694 and 1864, and the survival rate was 85% — the dense forest below apparently broke most falls. The practice was banned in 1872.
The approach to the temple through the Higashiyama district is part of the experience — narrow lanes lined with traditional shops selling Kyoto pottery, matcha sweets, pickles, and fans. The Otowa waterfall at the base of the temple has three streams, and visitors queue to drink from them using long-handled cups. Each stream supposedly grants a different benefit — academic success, love, and longevity — but drinking from all three is considered greedy.
Verified Facts
Kiyomizu-dera was originally founded in 778
The main hall's terrace is supported by 139 pillars without using nails
234 people jumped from the terrace between 1694 and 1864 with an 85% survival rate
The current buildings were rebuilt in 1633
The terrace stands 13 metres above the hillside
Get walking directions
294 Kiyomizu 1-Chōme, Higashiyama, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
