Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist Temple in Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. Kiyomizu are the oldest temples of Japan, located in the old Japanese capital, which is extremely rich in historical values. They represent a set of thirty buildings, their construction began at the end of the Nara period in 778. Most of them are wooden and have been repeatedly destroyed and burned down over the centuries, but rebuilt in 1633 by the famous Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, who ruled in the early period Edo.

According to legend, the site for construction of the temple was found from the Buddhist priest from the city Enchin Nara, who seeks the sources of the river Yodo falls on the area in the mountains Otova where was built later the temple. The clean water of the waterfall near the springs located near the main building, gave the name of Kiyomizu-dera.
Hondo is the main building of the temple, and is a national treasure because of its wooden balconies and roof slopes in several directions. The terrace has panoramic views of the mountain and around the city. The building is standing on a multi-storied wooden structure, which offset the steep slope, and that creates a feeling of lightness and flight. Inside the building is a religious altar, consisting of many figures of Buddhist gods, the main among them is the figure of God with 11 persons.

Another remarkable building of the complex is Niomon entrance gate guarded by two-foot wooden figures known as Kings Virgin or even Diamond warriors who give the name of the gate itself. Such doors are typical of most Japanese temples, they serve as a symbolic gateway to the religious complex, and reminiscent of a separate building for the roof over the gate itself.

The three-storey pagoda Sanju is the biggest one in Japan and contains an image of the Great Sun Buddha. Pagoda is another common component of Buddhist temples. It is a wooden building, the number of floors is determined by the number of rooftops at the height of the structure.

A special attraction of the complex are two of the Stone of lovers. This stone should be reached by the visitor from several feet away, you have to go with your eyes closed. Love wishes will be fulfilled if stepping tourist locks in stone. Small souvenir shops on the territory of the temple sell amulets Valentine mascots for health, for successfully taking exams etc.