Honestly, walking all the way up through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka made my calves incredibly sore 😂 Those slopes are no joke, and you really start to feel tired on the way up.
But once I passed through the red Niomon Gate and saw the Kiyomizu Stage, half the exhaustion from the climb immediately disappeared.
I'd seen Kiyomizu-dera online many times before, so I thought that after seeing so many photos, it probably wouldn't be that impressive in person. But actually standing there was still quite breathtaking. The entirely wooden platform of the Kiyomizu Stage extends straight out, and looking down from it really made the soles of my feet tingle a little.
When I visited in January, most of the trees on the mountain were bare, which looked completely different from the cherry blossom or fall foliage seasons that people usually see. But because of that, I could actually see the scenery around the Kiyomizu Stage more clearly. There were also fewer people in winter than during peak seasons, so it was quite pleasant to stand on the stage and take in the view at a leisurely pace.
Later, when I followed the route to Okunoin, I realized this was the classic spot for photographing the Kiyomizu Stage. Looking back, the wooden stage stood against the hillside, surrounded by the bare January trees, creating a very peaceful feeling. I kept taking photos and enjoying the scenery there, and before I knew it, I'd spent almost half an hour.
After walking down, I happened to get in line at Otowa Waterfall and used one of the long ladles to catch and drink the water. After walking for so long and climbing all those slopes, the water felt really refreshing. At least it made those climbs feel worthwhile 😂
After leaving Kiyomizu-dera, I walked down toward Sannenzaka, browsing the small shops and buying some food along the way. My feet were really sore by the end, but the whole walk still felt very worthwhile.
If you're visiting Kiyomizu-dera, I definitely recommend starting earlier. It's much more pleasant when there are fewer people. Otherwise, once it gets crowded, you constantly have to dodge people and say “excuse me,” and your photos can easily end up packed with people.
