Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Kyoto’s most popular tourist spots, is famous for its main hall built on top of a cliff.
It was founded in 778 and it is one of Kyoto’s World Heritage sites.

Kiyomizu-dera Nioumon
Deva gate at Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera’s distinctive main hall stage is approximately 12 meters above the ground, and was constructed without using nails by joining pieces of wood together, with the current stage being rebuilt in 1633.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple's pillar
Wooden pillars of the stage

There is a Japanese proverb, “Jump off the stage at Kiyomizu” This proverb means to approach something with determination and compares it to jumping off the stage of Kiyomizu Temple.
In fact, there is a document that states that tells 234 people jumped off the stage during the Edo period (1603-1868).

Surrounding Kiyomizu-dera Temple

five-storied pagoda at Hokan-ji Temple
Five-storied pagoda of Hokan-ji Temple (Yasaka-no-to)

The area surrounding Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a Historical Kyoto townscape with many spots such as souvenir shops, restaurants, the Five-storied pagoda of Hokan-ji Temple, known as Yasaka-no-to, a famous photo spot, and Starbucks Coffee witch has renovated a traditional Japanese house that is over 100 years old.
This Starbucks Coffee is the only store in the world with a tatami room (traditional Japanese-style room).