Kiyomizu Temple (音羽山清水寺)

Kiyomizu Temple is located in Kyoto's eastern quarter at the foot of Mt. Otowa, whose name in Japanese means, "Sound-of-Feathers Mountain" while Kiyomizu means pure water, clear water or limpid water. The Buddhist temple is a Unesco World Heritage listed site, and is one of the oldest temples in the city of Kyoto. It is notable for its vast veranda, supported by hundreds of pillars, that juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city. From here, perched just above the tops of the trees which fill the gorge below, Kiyomizu Temple appears to float serenely on a vast cloud of cherry blossoms - a breathtaking view that attracts an estimated 2 million visitors every year.

According to historical records, Kiyomizu Temple was established in 778 AD by the priest Enchin, who was told in a vision to "look for the clear water origin of the upper reaches of the Yodo river." After a long search, Enchin found a waterfall deep within a misty forest at the base of Mt. Otowa, and there he enshrined a wooden image of Buddha (called Kannon Bosatsu), thus marking the beginning of the temple.