Mitakesan Kiyomizudera Temple is a historic Buddhist temple belonging to the Tendai school, located in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its principal deity is the Eleven-Headed Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and the temple is the 25th stop on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a traditional route connecting 33 temples dedicated to Kannon. To distinguish it from the more famous Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto, it is also known as Banshu Kiyomizudera, after the historical name of the surrounding region.
The temple stands near the summit of Mount Mitake, at an elevation of 552 meters, within the Kiyomizu, Tojoko and Tachikui Prefectural Natural Park. Its elevated position provides sweeping views across the surrounding mountains and, on clear days, as far as the Seto Inland Sea. Visitors may be able to see the Rokko mountain range, Awaji Island, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the Ieshima Islands and even Shikoku.
Spring is a particularly beautiful season, when approximately 600 cherry trees, including Yoshino cherry trees, bloom throughout the grounds. The temple is also known for Konjo-sui, a sacred spring whose name is associated with the temple’s name. According to legend, anyone who looks at their reflection in its water will gain three additional years of life.
According to temple tradition, Kiyomizudera was founded around 1,800 years ago by Hodo, a Buddhist monk said to have traveled to Japan from ancient India. The tradition further states that Emperor Suiko ordered the construction of the Konpon Chudo, or Main Hall, in 627, and that Emperor Shomu commissioned the monk Gyoki to build the Daikodo, or Great Lecture Hall, in 725.
However, Buddhism arrived in Japan during the sixth century, making the claim that Hodo founded the temple 1,800 years ago historically doubtful. Hodo is regarded as a legendary figure, and stories describe him arriving in Japan from India while riding a purple cloud. Nevertheless, several temples in southern Hyogo Prefecture are associated with his founding, suggesting that Buddhist practitioners may have been active in this region at an early date.
In 1913, a fire destroyed the Konpon Chudo, Daikodo and other buildings. The temple was rebuilt in 1917, and its principal halls largely retain the appearance established during that reconstruction. Today, Kiyomizudera continues to welcome pilgrims and visitors who come to worship, explore its historical buildings and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Until a mountain access road opened in 1975, visitors had to climb a roughly two-kilometer approach on foot. Since April 12, 2020, visitors have also been permitted to approach the temple by sport bicycle, making the steep ascent popular with cycling enthusiasts who enjoy challenging hill climbs.
The temple complex spreads across the upper slopes of Mount Mitake. After passing through the Niomon Gate near the parking area, visitors follow a relatively level stone path for approximately 300 meters to reach the Yakushido Hall. The Daikodo stands farther along the route. Stone steps to its right lead to the Jizodo Hall and the bell tower, before the path continues to the Konpon Chudo, the temple’s main hall.
The Konpon Chudo is the spiritual center of Kiyomizudera and is registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property. Destroyed by fire in 1913, it was rebuilt in July 1917.
The hall enshrines a standing Eleven-Headed Kannon, accompanied by standing statues of Bishamonten and Kisshoten. These principal Buddhist images are considered hidden sacred objects and are traditionally displayed to the public only once every 30 years. The statues are designated Tangible Cultural Properties of Kato City.
Rebuilt in 1984, the Yakushido is traditionally said to have been originally established by Ike no Zenni, the mother-in-law of the military leader Taira no Kiyomori. Inside are statues of the Twelve Heavenly Generals, created by Satoshi Yabuuchi, a professor at Tokyo University of the Arts.
The Daikodo serves as the temple’s pilgrimage hall and is an important destination for visitors following the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. Tradition dates its foundation to 725, although the original building was destroyed in the 1913 fire and reconstructed in July 1917.
The hall houses a seated statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon dating from the Taisho era (1912–1926). Visitors can enter the hall to view the Buddhist image.
The bell tower, registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property, was also destroyed in the 1913 fire and rebuilt in 1920. Known as the Bell of Good Fortune, it remains a distinctive feature of the temple grounds, and its sound accompanies the visits of worshippers.
The Jizodo was rebuilt in 1982. Its design was overseen by Professor Tabuchi, a former vice president of Kobe University, while the principal image of Jizo was created by Yasuo Sugawara, an honorary professor at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Located behind and to the left of the Konpon Chudo, Okage no Ido is the sacred spring known as Konjo-sui. According to legend, Hodo, the temple’s founder, prayed to the water deity, causing spring water to emerge. This legendary spring is closely associated with the origin of the temple’s name and is one of its most distinctive spiritual sites.
Only the stone foundation remains of the Tahoto, or Great Pagoda. The original structure burned down in 1907 and was subsequently rebuilt, but it collapsed after being struck by lightning in 1973. Tradition holds that the pagoda was originally erected by Gion no Onna to pray for the military success and safety of Taira no Kiyomori.
Tsukimitei is a scenic spot within the temple grounds, regarded as an ideal place to observe the moon during the temple’s traditional Nijurokuya moon-waiting ceremony. Its elevated setting offers beautiful views that change with the seasons.
The Niomon Gate, which marks the entrance to the main temple grounds, was completely destroyed by a typhoon in 1965 and rebuilt in 1980. Its design was overseen by Professor Tabuchi, a former vice president of Kobe University. The gate’s guardian statues, known as the Nio, were carved in 1921 by the Nara Buddhist sculptor Daisaburo Sugawara.
The temple grounds also contain the grave of Akamatsu Ujihane, a military figure from the Sengoku period (1467–1615), along with a stone associated with ritual suicide. These historical remains offer a glimpse into the turbulent era of Japan’s feudal past.
Kiyomizudera preserves valuable objects that reflect its long religious and cultural history. Among them are three large swords, together with ten associated fittings, designated Important Cultural Properties on June 9, 1981. Another important treasure is Volume Five of the Lotus Sutra, a Buddhist scripture designated an Important Cultural Property on June 15, 1995.
Several of the temple’s principal buildings are registered National Tangible Cultural Properties. These include the Konpon Chudo, Daikodo, bell tower, main administrative residence and guest hall, all registered on June 7, 1999. Together, they preserve the architectural character of the temple following its reconstruction in the early twentieth century.
Prefectural cultural treasures include a small bronze standing Bodhisattva statue, measuring 18 centimeters in height, designated on March 31, 1989. The Banshu Kiyomizudera Documents, an extensive collection comprising 41 volumes and 608 individual documents, were designated on March 23, 1976.
The temple also preserves numerous objects designated Tangible Cultural Properties by Kato City. These include a standing wooden Eleven-Headed Kannon, carved from a single piece of cypress and measuring 139.3 centimeters tall, and a standing wooden Bishamonten, carved from a single piece of kaya wood and measuring 69.2 centimeters. Both date to the middle of the Heian period (794–1185) and were designated in 1987.
Other treasures include a wooden Kisshoten statue, a standing heavenly deity statue, a Lotus Sutra written in gold characters on indigo-dyed paper with its scripture box, historical records from the former Zuiryuin residence, a prohibition notice with its storage box, and a bronze bowl. These objects document the temple’s religious practices, artistic traditions and administrative history.
The Japanese primrose, known in Japanese as kurinsō, is designated a Natural Monument by Kato City. The designation was made on October 28, 1983. Its flowers add to the natural beauty of the temple grounds and reflect the rich plant life found in the surrounding mountain environment.
Kiyomizudera hosts Buddhist ceremonies throughout the year, offering visitors an opportunity to encounter the temple’s living traditions.
The New Year’s service, Shusho-e, is held on January 1. The Muenkyo memorial service takes place on the third Sunday of April, while the Flower Festival, or Hanamatsuri, celebrates the Buddha’s birth in early May. The Shoryoe ceremony is held from August 13 to 15, followed by the Jizo Bon observance on August 24 and the Nijurokuya moon-waiting ceremony on August 26.
From April through December, a morning porridge gathering is held on the third Sunday of each month, beginning at 6:00 a.m. It includes Buddhist chanting and seated meditation. A monthly goma fire ritual is also held on the third Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
Kiyomizudera stands near the summit of Mount Mitake, at an elevation of 552 meters, close to the historical boundaries of the former provinces of Settsu, Harima and Tamba. Although the mountain was once accessible only by climbing the old approach path, the road opened in 1975 now allows visitors to reach the temple by vehicle or bus.
From Aino Station on the JR Takarazuka Line, take a Shinki Bus bound for Kiyomizudera and get off at the final stop, Kiyomizudera. Some services pass through the center of the former Imada Town, while others take a different route; journey times vary by approximately ten minutes. A taxi from Aino Station takes around 17 minutes.
Bus services are very limited, with only two round trips per day, so check the timetable carefully before setting out. Both buses remain at Kiyomizudera for approximately one hour before returning toward Aino Station, allowing passengers time to visit the temple during the stopover.
An admission fee of 500 yen is charged separately when entering the temple grounds. Bus drivers collect this fee when passengers get off at the Kiyomizudera stop. Bus fares can be paid using IC cards, but the temple admission fee must be paid in cash.