Kiyomizu Temple to Chionin
Kiyomizu Temple - Chionin Temple 清水寺～知恩院
Overview
Kiyomizu Temple is along with the Golden Pavilion at the top of any list of must see destinations. A World Heritage Site established in 798 C.E., it is both physically and metaphysically very prominent in the Kyoto psyche. The main hall is built out onto pillars to give a dramatic effect. After exiting Kiyomizu Temple, it is a short stroll down the narrow road leading to, after a right turn, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka.
These contiguous streets are filled with quaint shops in Japanese style buildings. Aside from the telephone wires over head, this part of Kyoto is among the very few areas that present a unified wooden cityscape.
From there the next stop is Nene no Michi. Nene no Michi (The Path of Nene) is perhaps the most beautiful street in Kyoto. Just down from Sannenzaka, it features the best of Kyoto wooden design.
Just off of the north side of Nene no Michi is Kodaiji Temple: Kodaiji was established in 1605 by Nene, the wife of the late Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and financed by Tokugawa Ieyasu. It sits atop a bluff with a commanding view of the city below.
The last two stops are Maruyama Park and Chionin Temple. The former is a park that abuts Gion, the latter was founded by Honen in 1294.
Getting to the Starting Point
If you are coming from downtown, ride south along the Kamo River on the west side This ride will take you to Kiyomizu Temple (with a bit of pushing).
Suggestion: Park your bike near Nene no Michi, and walk the rest of the way up to Kiyomizu Temple. Then get back on the bike after you return.
The Path of Nene
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Kiyomizu Temple
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Directions
Walk from Nene no Michi up Sannenzaka to Kiyomizu. When finished, return the same way. Nene no michi is perfect for strolling. Kodaiji is up a hill on the right (east) side. Back down on Nene no Michi, continue north to Maruyama Park. Chionin is on the opposite side of the park.
Just beyond Chionin, straight ahead is Heian Shrine and Kyoto's main museum area. 10 minutes north of Chioin is Nanzenji Temple.
Total Riding Time
One - two hours riding time.
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| Kodaiji Temple | Chionin Temple |
More Information
Kiyomizu Temple
1-chome, Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City
075 551 1234
Entrance Fee: 300 yen
Kodaiji Temple
Shimogawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
075 561 9966
Entrance Fee: 500 yen
Chionin Temple
400 Hayashita-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
075 531 2111
Yanagi Yu (public bath, closed Mondays & Tuesdays)
Open from 4:30 pm, 410 yen
075 771 8439
Map
Kiyomizu Temple - The Path of Nene - Chionin Temple Route
To see the numbers, scroll down the map, click "view full screen," then enlarge the map by clicking on the + symbol at the top left of the map.