Kiyomizu-dera Temple

In short

A temple located in Reinin-cho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka City. It was once called Arisu-dera Temple, and it is said to have existed since quite ancient times. In 1640 (Kanei 17), Great Acarya Enkai received an oracle from the Bodhisattva Kannon (Kanzeon Bosatsu) and transferred an Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva, said to have been carved by Prince Shotoku, from Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto to enshrine it as the principal image. Later, during the Kyoho era, the temple's name is said to have been changed to Shin-Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

• ​Kiyomizu Stage​​: At the western end of the cemetery, taking advantage of the naturally fine view, there is a "stage" modeled after Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto. From the stage, you can look out over the Osaka cityscape and also see Tsutenkaku Tower and other sights
• ​Tamade Waterfall​​: It is considered the only natural waterfall in Osaka City, and its water is said to flow from Shitenno-ji Temple
• ​Kiyomizuzaka Slope​​: One of the Tennoji Nanasaka Slopes, a stone-paved slope extending between Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Osaka Seiko Gakuin

History and Highlights

​Kiyomizu-dera Temple​ is a temple located in Reinin-cho, Tennoji Ward, Osaka City. It was once called Arisu-dera Temple, and it is said to have existed since quite ancient times.

In 1640 (Kanei 17), Great Acarya Enkai received an oracle from the Bodhisattva Kannon (Kanzeon Bosatsu) and transferred an Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva, said to have been carved by Prince Shotoku, from Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto to enshrine it as the principal image. Later, during the Kyoho era (1716–1736), the temple's name is said to have been changed to Shin-Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Sights and Experiences

• ​Kiyomizu Stage​​: At the western end of the cemetery, taking advantage of the naturally fine view, there is a "stage" modeled after Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto. From the stage, you can look out over the Osaka cityscape, including Tsutenkaku Tower, a symbol of southern Osaka.
• ​Tamade Waterfall​​: Tamade Waterfall (Tamade-no-taki) at Kiyomizu-dera Temple is considered the only natural waterfall in Osaka City, and its water is said to flow from Shitenno-ji Temple.
• ​Kiyomizuzaka Slope​​: Kiyomizuzaka Slope near Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of the Tennoji Nanasaka Slopes, a stone-paved slope extending between Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Osaka Seiko Gakuin.

Walking Tips

It is about a 6-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line. From north to south, the Tennoji Nanasaka Slopes run in the order of Shingonzaka Slope, Genshojizaka Slope, Kuchinawazaka Slope, Aizenzaka Slope, Kiyomizuzaka Slope, Tenjinzaka Slope, and Ousaka Slope. The area around the seven slopes has many temples and shrines, and Tenjinzaka Slope to the south of Kiyomizuzaka Slope leads to Yasui-jinja Shrine, which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane. In the past, famous waters welled up in Tennoji, known as the Seven Famous Waters of Tennoji. Along with Yasui-jinja Shrine about 120 meters to the southwest, Isshin-ji Temple about 300 meters to the south, Oe-jinja Shrine about 210 meters to the north, and Shitenno-ji Temple about 490 meters to the east, enjoy a stroll through this town of slopes and temples.