Otowa Waterfall: The Waters of Longevity, Love, and Wisdom
Why is it significant?
Stand before the stone grotto of the Otowa Waterfall at the base of the cliff and watch the three pristine crystal streams of mountain water pouring from wooden channels into the pool below.
Key Facts
| Place | Otowa Waterfall: The Waters of Longevity, Love, and Wisdom |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862 |
| Geo Coordinates | 34.99440, 135.78530 |
| Part of Walk | Kyoto's Sacred Paths: Gion Geishas, Wooden Temples, and Stone Zen Gardens |
| Generated | Generated |
Stand before the stone grotto of the Otowa Waterfall at the base of the cliff and watch the three pristine crystal streams of mountain water pouring from wooden channels into the pool below. It is this very spring, flowing pure from Mount Otowa for over a thousand years, that gave the temple its sacred name: Kiyomizu-dera, meaning the Pure Water Temple.
Visitors wait in line to catch the falling water in long-handled tin cups. Each of the three streams brings a distinct blessing: one bestows longevity and vibrant health, the second grants success in studies and wisdom, and the third brings romance and a happy marriage. However, Buddhist tradition cautions that you should drink from only one or at most two streams: drinking from all three is considered an act of greed that cancels out all the blessings!
Look up at the massive wooden underpinnings of the stage above: the interlocking beams look like a giant timber ribcage holding aloft centuries of prayers.
Drink deeply of the cool mountain water. You have walked through the living spirit, ancient arts, and sacred peaks of old Kyoto.