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Chic . Explore . ThinkerTen

My Style ~ My Journey ~ My Inspiration

JapanKyotoTravel

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

by kumamonjeng February 18, 2019
written by kumamonjeng February 18, 2019
Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

My day in Kyoto starts with the most important temples in this area, Kyomizu dera/清水寺. Literally translated as “Pure Water Temple” which was founded around 780 AD and now being added to the list of Unesco World Heritage sites.

The one thing many like to do is explore this Kyoto in kimono.  Why?  Because of the ancient city matches well with kimono costume.  Trust me.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Kyomizu Dera & Kimono

My day started pretty early and arrived at Kyomizu dera at around 9 am.  The kimono rental shops aren’t too many people as yet as they just open for business which is a good thing for me as they have plenty of choices with different colors and patterns for me to choose from.  The Kimono wearing and hair setting took me about 30 mins and cost me 3000 yen (USD27.15).  I will do another kimono renting blog solely to explain with more in-depth about kimono and other things you may want to know.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Now lets me show you the important things you should pay attention to when visiting Kyomizu dera.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Kyomizu Dera Entrance Ticket

There is a fee to pay to enter Kyomizu dera, it cost 400 yen and open daily from 6 am to 6 pm. No closing day.  The ticketing staffs speak English.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

The Huge Wooden Stage

The temple’s wooden stage is also known as “Butai” is one the most famous thing to see in Kyomizu dera but too bad when I was there it is under maintenance.  Luckily we are still able to go in and check out the thing inside the wooden stage plus the view from the top. I have been here when I was a student in Japan so I wasn’t too disappointed because at least I see how the wooden stage looks like.  One great thing about this “Butai” or wooden stage is its architecture, there is not a single nail used in the entire structure!

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Jumping Off the Wooden Stage

According to legend, it brings good luck if you jumped off the wooden stage and survive. So far it is reported 276 Japnese have jumped off the wooden stage but only 80% of them survived. I don’t think you will survive because the stage is about 4 stories high and even if you survive you may lose a hand or a leg.

Check out the view

The stage is always full of tourists no matter what time you come. From the temple wooden stage, you will get to see the whole skyline of Kyoto city.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Lift the Giant Spear

Near the entrance, there is a huge spear placed in a hole in the wooden walkway. According to legend, there was a giant warrior monk named Benkei used the spear as a walking stick and left it at Kyomizu dera. And the funny thing is if you can lift it, you will have plenty of luck.  Many school children are trying their best to list the 90 kg spear.  The bodybuilder should be able to lift that 90kg spear 🙂

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Praying Area

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Bless water from Otowa no Taki

There is a very long line to get the blessed water which originates from Otowa Waterfall/Otowa no Taki. It is located at the bottom of the wooden stage. You will see three streams of water coming out from the top and the ladle is super long as compared to the usual ladles you see in the Japanese temple. The three stream of water, each representing something good – improve your studies, relationship, and long life.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Three Story Pagoda

The pagoda would look more stunning at night with illuminated lights. Different seasons and timing gives a different view.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Japanese tea house

You can take a rest at this traditional tea house for matcha and Dango snacks at around 500 yen (USD 4.50).  My favorite of Japanese snack would be Sweet Azuki Red Bean Soup with Mochi also known as “zensai”.  This dessert has the traditional Japanese taste and best to eat in the old temple.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Shopping outside Kyomizu Dera

After you have explored the temple complexes of Kyomizu Dera, there is plenty of shopping nearby.  The shops are selling mostly Japanese for local and foreign tourists.  Check out the top souvenirs in Kyoto Kyomizu Dera.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

1.  Japanese fan

The Japanese fan makes a great gift, easy to bring home.  Hundreds of fans line up for you to choose from, different print and fabric.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

2. Japanese Pottery 

Pottery or in Japanese they called it “yakimono” is one of the oldest Japanese crafts and art forms. A different region in Japan produces a different style of pottery.  These are an affordable one.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

3. Kyoto ware

Kyoto Ware is the high-end pottery to be produced at kilns in Kyoto with a history of 1,200 years. Kyoto ware is still made by hand and Kyoto is the representative production site for Japanese pottery.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

4. Japanese Geta

The pair of traditional wooden sandals look good with yukata in summer, not very easy to walk on by the way.  It makes good souvenirs too.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Food to try in Kyomizu Dera

1. “Okoshi” – Traditional Japanese Crispy Rice Crackers

The crackers are made of rice and tasted sweet and the origins go back to the Edo period, almost 200 years ago. You also find other versions of “okoshi” in a different flavor, in green tea or brown sugar.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

2. Mitarashi Kushi Dango

The Dango at a stick with 5 small balls cost150 yen (USD 1.35).  This is a traditional “wagashi” or Japanese sweet which are coated with a sweet soy sauce called “mitarashi”. Kyoto is the birthplace of Mitarashi Dango but now you do find them everywhere in Japan.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

3. Green bun with pork filling

The skin of the bun is in green and that is color from the spinach vegetable.  The filling is pork, serve hot and selling at 400 yen (USD 3.60)  This is not the traditional snacks in Japan but more selling for Korean and Chinese or Taiwanese tourists.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

Final thoughts:

Kyomizu dera is one of the must stop in Kyoto and experience it with Kimono is a fun way to stroll around this ancient temple.  There are many Japanese and tourists wearing kimono walking around this area so do not be fear, you are not alone in Kimono.  Plenty of kimono rental shops in this area as well.  Go early to secure the nicest outfit with your favorite print and color is my advice to you.

Explore Kyomizu Dera in Kimono is a perfect match for your Kyoto experience!

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"Pure Water Temple"Benkei the Japanese warrior monkBless water from Otowa no TakiGreen bun with porkjapanese hand fanJapanese tea housejapanese wooden geta sandlesKimono rental in kyotoKyomizu butaiKyomizu Dera Entrance TicketKyomizu dera shoppingKyomizu dera/清水寺.Kyomizu giant iron spearkyomizu wooden platformkyomizu wooden stagekyoto ceramickyoto potteryKyoto wareMitarashi Kushi Dangookoshi rice crackersokoshi snacksself drive in kyotoThree Story Pagodatop souvenirs in kyotovisit kyotozenzai dessert清水寺
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41 comments

Stacie February 18, 2019 - 2:01 pm

This would be such an amazing experience! If I ever get to Kyoto, I will definitely be donning a kimono and sandals to visit this area!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 10:57 pm

Dear Stacie,
Walking in Kimono is a really fun way to experience in Kyoto. You need to try it yourself with those sandles and costume.

Reply
Hang Around The World February 18, 2019 - 2:51 pm

We have a friend who have always invited us to visit Japan and now thank to your post we know why. With your photos you inspired us and we’d love to try your same experience!!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:01 pm

Japan is actually very cheap to travel, their food and accommodation are very affordable, considering it is the first world country and very developed.

Reply
Catherine Cappiello Pappas February 18, 2019 - 6:05 pm

Such lovely pictures. I would absolutely love to visit Kyoto in person.

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:04 pm

Kyoto is the imperial capital for more than 1,000 years and has lots of well-preserved heritage, the tea ceromony and geisha can be seen from here as Kyoto is the birthplace for these activities.

Reply
ChelseaMamma February 18, 2019 - 8:13 pm

You look incredible in your kimono, would love to just try one on. That stage looks scary – I would not fancy jumping off that!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:06 pm

Thanks for your comment. Yes, I have fun walking around in Kimono and being stopped several times by the foreign tourists as they misunderstood me as local Japanese and asking for pictures. 🙂

Reply
Lisa February 18, 2019 - 8:55 pm

It’s my dream to visit Japan! I love everything about the culture, especially the food! Hope I get to visit one day.

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:09 pm

Dear Lisa,

If you are visiting Japan, Kyoto has to be in your list which is located in Kansai Region. People here in Kansai speak slightly different from Tokyo people and their food also taste slightly diffferent. Anyway Kyoto is connected with the bullet train from Tokyo and it is easy to reach.

Reply
TheSuperMomLife February 19, 2019 - 2:24 am

The architecture in Japan is unlike anywhere in the world. I would love to go there one day to experience it in person.

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:20 pm

Kyoto offers a fantastic mix of architectural experiences from modern museums and art galleries to the traditional Japanese architecture of temples, shrines and castles. Kyomizu Dera is just one of the icon in Kyoto, there many other temples and shrines you should also visit if you have the time.

Reply
Sam February 19, 2019 - 6:49 am

This sounds like a wonderful experience! I like that you can rent a kimono to wear. There sounds like so many great things to see. I think I’d try a better way to have good luck than jumping off of anything!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:22 pm

Dear Sam,
You are right, jumping off the huge wooden platform is just insane and I don’t think I could survive. Even if I do survive, I may not be complete and most probably disable with a arms or legs. 🙂 I won’t consider that as good luck already.

Reply
Mummy's Diary February 19, 2019 - 8:05 am

Beautiful place i love all the ornate buildings and decorations they have around the towns must be such a happy place to visit. Katie Davies

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:38 pm

The most well-known aspect of Kiyomzu dera is the huge veranda of the main hall. It juts out on wooden pillars and is an impressive site.

Reply
My Family Travel Zone February 19, 2019 - 8:26 am

Thank you for the wonderful story, the photos and the kimono very nice, I really hope to ever visit this hall

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:40 pm

Thanks for your comment. The kimono rental cost me 3000 yen USD 27.10 including hairdo. You can wear the whole day and return before the shop close at 7pm.

Reply
Georgia February 19, 2019 - 8:41 am

What a lovely experience! It looks like a fairy tale to me and it will be a dream to visit this place! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:42 pm

Dear Georgia,

I feel like travel back to the past with the kimono outfit and traditional buildings in Kyoto.

Reply
Tonya Morris February 19, 2019 - 6:31 pm

Asia is my dream vacation! Kyoto looks absolutely incredible. I would love to try that food!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:43 pm

Dear Tonya,

Japan is the place for foodie and in Kyoto, you have to try the dango, the Japanese sweet which are coated with a sweet soy sauce called “mitarashi”. Kyoto is the birthplace of Mitarashi Dango but now you do find them everywhere in Japan.

Reply
Sara Welch February 19, 2019 - 6:45 pm

I would love to have one of those fans and sandals; what a unique and lovely experience!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:46 pm

Dear Sara,
The fan is one of my favorite gifts, I used to receive them when I was working in a Japanese company in Sydney Australia. My ex-boss who is a Japanese bought one for me when he traveled back to Japan. I still keep it after so many years. The frame of the fan is made from fragance wood but the pattern look pretty simple. I still adore it very much.

Reply
John Mulindi February 19, 2019 - 7:39 pm

Wow, what a style! these are amazing outfits. I would like seeing this on a visit.

Reply
momi berlin February 19, 2019 - 10:09 pm

i totally love the experience to dress up just like how the locals do it and explore the place. Everything looks like fun and fab.

Reply
Yeah Lifestyle February 19, 2019 - 10:20 pm

This looks like such an incredible place to visit. I am in awe at the bravery of the people who dare to jump of the stage, I definitely wouldn’t dare to!

Reply
Jasmine - LoveLifeLaughMotherhood February 19, 2019 - 10:51 pm

i’ve always wanted to visit Japan. this has my travel bug ignited!

Reply
Alexandra Cook February 20, 2019 - 8:14 am

Wow this place looks incredible. There’s so much to do and see there! Looks like a brilliant place to take the whole family

Reply
Preet February 20, 2019 - 8:17 am

Oh wow! I’m not sure I could ever leave that place. it is absolutely one of the most gorgeous place I’ve ever seen.

Reply
Shannon Gurnee February 20, 2019 - 8:22 am

That looks like such an awesome experience. Love the pictures you shared.

Reply
kumamonjeng February 20, 2019 - 12:51 pm

Dear Shannon,
It is a lovely experience wearing Kimono and strolling around the ancient city of Japan.

Reply
Fatima D Torres February 20, 2019 - 5:14 pm

This looks like a dream! I’d love to see this place in person sometime.

Reply
Garf February 20, 2019 - 6:21 pm

The costumes are so pretty. Love the bright colors.

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:50 pm

Dear Garf,

Bright colors are usually common, with floral or crane as the print. It was used for formal occasion like wedding ceremony, graduation ceremony, tea ceremony or festival.

Reply
dearmummyblog February 22, 2019 - 1:07 pm

What a wonderful experience and you are so lucky to be there in amidst of it all! Love the colours in your photos!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 24, 2019 - 11:52 pm

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is also a spot famous for its beautiful colored leaves but during my visit, it was still early for autumn leaves to turn red. Best timing would be in autumn, mid of November as you get to see the whole forest turn red and great backdrops for your photos.

Reply
Akamatra February 22, 2019 - 3:35 pm

I am do jealous. I love Japan and cant wait to visit some day

Reply
kumamonjeng February 25, 2019 - 12:00 am

Dear Akamatra,

Many people think Japan is expensive to travel but it is not. The accommodation in Tokyo and Kyoto may cost more but if you stay a little further from the train station outside city center of Kyoto, it is cheap and offer better value. Transportation is so advance in Japan so there is actually no worry if you are staying a little further from the city center. In fact, staying a little further is even better, that way, you can see how the real locals live and stay away from very touristy places. And most importantly, everything is cheaper outside touristy hotspots.

Reply
Nati February 24, 2019 - 10:52 pm

Oh, my word! What a fascinating place! I have always wanted to wear a true kymono!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 25, 2019 - 5:58 am

Dear Nati,

You could hardly walk and breathe in the kimono. But overall is a fun experience.

Reply

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I am the travel writer for Thinkerten. I lived in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and now based in Singapore. Speak 4 languages, Japanese, English, Malay, and Chinese. There are the many types of travels one can experience and mine are mostly focus on self-driving/road trip to explore the places I wanted to see and learn about. Only if you get out of your country, you will see the real you and understand more about yourself, to realize of your own identity, your own culture, and your root.

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