13/05/2026
Kiyomizu-dera was one of those places I will keep in my mind for longer.
One of the most fascinating things about Kiyomizu-dera is the enormous wooden terrace overlooking Kyoto, built entirely without nails. Standing there, surrounded by forest and the sound of temple bells, truly felt surreal.
Beneath the main hall flows the sacred Otowa Waterfall, where visitors drink from one of three streams of water believed to bring health, success or love. According to tradition, you should only choose one… asking for all three is considered greedy 😅
I also experienced one of the most unusual rituals there - walking in complete darkness toward a sacred stone. In total silence, with one hand following a rope through the dark, you slowly move forward until reaching the stone and making a wish. The experience is meant to symbolize returning to the womb of the universe and searching inward rather than outward. Honestly, it felt strangely emotional and grounding.
And of course… Kyoto kept surprising me with flavours too 😄
I tried many new things, including kyuri asazuke - lightly pickled cucumber on a stick, a super popular street snack around the temples. Refreshing, salty, simple… and very Japanese somehow.