Kiyomizu-dera Temple (清水寺) in Kyoto opens from 6:00 a.m. every day. The usual closing time is 6:00 p.m., and it stays open a little longer in summer (until 6:30 p.m. in July and August).
If you’re aiming for special evening illuminations, the temple sometimes extends hours at night (the dates and details change each year). A common pattern is staying open until around 9:30 p.m., with last entry around 9:00 p.m., but always double-check the current schedule before you go.
One small tip: even though the gates open at 6:00 a.m., counters for omamori and goshuin typically start from around 8:00 a.m.
Closing time
Kiyomizu-dera Temple’s regular closing time is 6:00 p.m. In July and August, it closes at 6:30 p.m.
On special night viewing (illumination) days, it stays open much later (often until 9:30 p.m., with last entry around 9:00 p.m.), but the exact dates and details change by season and year.
Closed days
Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kiyomizu-dera / 清水寺) does not have regular closed days. It is basically open every day throughout the year, with closing time changing by season rather than having weekly holidays.
That said, there can be rare exceptions for special events or operational reasons. For example, the temple’s own visitor information notes that some occasions (such as New Year’s Eve bell arrangements) may not be open to the general public, and night-viewing periods follow a separate schedule. If you’re visiting on a specific date, checking the official schedule page is the safest way to avoid surprises.
lastentry
Kiyomizu-dera Temple’s last entry depends on whether you’re visiting in the daytime or during a special night viewing.
On regular days, the temple gates close at 6:00 p.m. (and at 6:30 p.m. in July and August), so you should plan to enter before the closing time.
During the spring, summer, and autumn special night viewing periods, the official schedule lists the last entry as 9:00 p.m., with the temple open until 9:30 p.m.
https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/
kiyomizu dera temple admissiondays
Kiyomizu-dera Temple accepts visitors every day, so you can buy admission and enter on any date you visit (there are no regular closed days).
For the standard daytime visit, the commonly listed admission fee is 500 yen.
If you’re going during a special evening illumination period, admission is handled the same way (pay on site), but it follows the night-viewing schedule and the fee is typically shown as 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high students.
Some limited-time areas can require an additional ticket. For example, the Jojuin Garden special viewing in autumn 2025 lists 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for elementary/junior high students (separate from entering the temple grounds).
Packing
Start with shoes. The approach to Kiyomizu-dera has sloped streets and a lot of steps, so comfortable sneakers are the safest choice. In wet weather the stone can feel slippery, so shoes with good grip matter more than style. Clothing is simple: wear layers you can take on and off, because Kyoto mornings and evenings can change fast, especially in spring and autumn. In winter, a warm inner layer helps, and in summer you’ll want breathable clothes and something to wipe sweat.
A small umbrella or light rain jacket is worth packing year-round. Sudden rain is common, and the view from the stage looks best when you can stay outside comfortably. Bring water, but keep it compact, because the shopping streets can get crowded. Cash is also handy for temple admission, small purchases, and seasonal items, since not every small counter feels as card-friendly as a modern store.
If you like temples and stamps, pack a goshuin-cho (stamp book) and a pen. If you don’t have one, you can buy it nearby, but having your own saves time when lines are long. Finally, consider a small towel or handkerchief, plus a portable charger if you plan to take lots of photos, because Kiyomizu-dera is the kind of place where your battery drops faster than you expect.
Kiyomizu dera temple location
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is in eastern Kyoto, on the Higashiyama hillside. The official address is 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 605-0862, Japan.
How to get there
To get to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the standard approach is to ride a bus close to the Higashiyama area and then walk uphill for about 10 minutes from the nearest stop.
From Kyoto Station, the most straightforward option is the Kyoto City Bus. The temple’s official guidance recommends taking Bus No. 206 (and also mentions No. 100) and getting off at Gojozaka; from there, you walk east (uphill) to the temple in roughly 10 minutes.
If you want fewer stops (often easier for first-time visitors), Kyoto also runs a Sightseeing Limited Express Bus from Kyoto Station that takes you toward the Kiyomizu-dera area and uses Gojozaka as the closest stop for the temple.
Coming by train, a common alternative is using the Keihan Line and walking from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station. It’s a longer walk—about 25 minutes—so it’s best if you’re happy to stroll through the Higashiyama streets on the way.
