Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto (must see)

Perched high above the sight-dense Southern Higashiyama district, Kiyomizu stands as a timeless emblem of Kyoto, seamlessly blending the sacred with the secular. Beyond the throngs of visitors lies a remarkable temple offering panoramic vistas of the city below. And if you dare to brave the crowds during cherry blossom season, the nighttime illumination of the surrounding trees is a sight to behold.

The temple's genesis is intertwined with the Otowa Spring, aptly named Kiyomizu, or "Pure Water". In 778, monk Enchin Shonin, guided by a divine vision, discovered this sacred spring. Inspired by this revelation, an aristocratic benefactor bestowed a grand hall upon the site, modeled after noble palaces rather than traditional temples, and featuring a regal shingled roof. Within resides a revered 1,000-armed Kannon, unveiled to the public only once every 33 years.

A precipitous viewing platform, originally a stage for sacred dances, offers vistas over the verdant slopes. Supported by colossal pillars without a single nail, the platform's edge plunges 13 meters (43 feet) below. Once a tragic endpoint for desperate souls, it now serves as a vantage point for admiring southern Kyoto's scenic splendor.

Jishu Shrine and the temple's verdant grounds harbor secrets and traditions. Expectant mothers seek solace at the pagoda, praying for safe childbirth, while the Otowa Spring draws pilgrims lining up to sip its healing waters. Divided into three streams, each purportedly bestowing health, longevity, or success, visitors must choose wisely—a tradition upheld for over 1,200 years.