The Backpack Adventures

Located in Higashiyama Ward in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture in Japan , Kiyomizudera ( 清水寺 ) is an independent Buddhist temple. It is part of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage of Western Japan. Kiyomizudera Kiyomizudera history Officially called   Otowa-san Kiyomizudera , the temple was founded in the year 798. Its present buildings were constructed in 1633 under the order of Tokugawa Iemitsu. The name Kiyomizu came from the Japanese words  kiyo  清 which means clean or pure and  mizu  水 which means water. It got its name from the waterfalls within the complex. Kiyomizudera - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture A vintage photo of Kiyomizudera   (photo from www.gutenberg.org) Nio-mon gate A closer photo of the Nio-mon gate Kiyomizudera is famous for the main hall that has a large veranda that is jutting on the side of a hill and is supported by tall wooden pillars. It is said that it was built without the use of a single nail. The veranda offers an impressive panoramic view of

Located in  68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City in  Kyoto Prefecture, Fushimi Inari Taisha / Fushimi Inari Shrine ( 伏見稲荷大社 ) is the head shrine of Inari. It serves as the general headquarters of all 30,000+ shrines dedicated to Inari. It is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. It can be found t the base of Mount Inari and is one of the most visited places in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Taisha Fushimi Inari Shrine history The earliest structures of Fushimi Inari Shrine were built in 711 on Inariyama hill in the southwestern part of Kyoto. The shrine was then relocated in 816 upon the request of the monk Kukai . The main shrine, however, was built sometime in 1499.  Fushimi Inari Shrine became an object of imperial patronage during the early Heian period.  Fushimi Inari Shrine - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Inari , as you may know, is the god of rice and aside from that the patron of business. Because of that, The shrine is frequented by businessmen wishing for success