Stepping into Kiyomizudera felt like beginning a quiet family travel story before the rest of Kyoto awoke. In the soft light of early spring, our early morning at Kiyomizu-dera unfolded through still courtyards and silent walkways. This Kyoto temple with children story shares more than just sights, it offers a Kyoto temple experience with children through the kids perspective, where small, quiet moments became the ones we remembered most.
This post is part of our ongoing Luca & Nico’s Travel Journal series, inspired by our actual adventures, interactions, and discoveries in Japan with kids.
Planning your own visit to this iconic Kyoto temple? Don’t miss our Kiyomizu-dera with Kids Guide for everything you need to know, from stroller access to how to get there.
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To give you a real sense of what it’s like to experience our Kiyomizudera family travel story through young eyes, here’s what Luca and Nico had to say about our visit.
Luca’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
We got to Kiyomizu-dera just as the sky was starting to wake up. The gates were tall and still, with no one else in sight. It felt like we were walking into a dream. Nico whispered, “It’s super quiet,” and Mama smiled. “Exactly. Let’s go slow.” We climbed up to the huge wooden deck that looks over all of Kyoto. From up there, the city looked like a tiny town full of toys and rooftops. It was cool, quiet, and calm. I didn’t feel like running. I didn’t even feel like talking. It felt… peaceful. Like the temple was helping us start fresh. We peeked inside the temple too, Mama said the whole thing was built without a single nail. Nico’s eyes got huge. “Wait… how?!” After walking around the paths and gardens, we came to the Otowa Waterfall. Papa said each stream meant something different, wisdom, health, or love. I stood quietly for a moment, listening to the water trickle into the stone basin. I didn’t even feel the need to choose one. Just being there felt enough. The air was cool, the breeze gentle. It felt like the temple had more space to breathe, and so did we. Papa was right about coming early. With no crowds and no noise, everything felt more real. More ours.
~ Luca
Nico’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
Kiyomizu-dera is a temple built for ninjas. I’m sure of it. The wooden deck is super high and would be perfect for hiding. Or snack storage. Ninjas definitely need snacks. Anyway, we got there before breakfast. The gates looked giant. There was nobody else. It was so quiet I could hear birds chewing leaves. Or maybe that was just the wind. Mama said “Kiyomizu” means “pure water,” and everything felt calm and still. I actually walked slow. On purpose. Weird, I know. We looked over the city from up high. I pretended I was the secret ruler of Kyoto. Then we got to the waterfall where you can choose one of three streams. I picked one and made a secret wish. Maybe for snacks. Maybe for wisdom. Maybe for secret ninja snacks.
~ Nico
Luca & Nico’s Challenge:
Arrive early and pick your favorite of the three water streams. Can you guess what each one means before checking the signs? What would you wish for?
Parent Insight:
Early mornings offer children emotional stillness they rarely experience in busy travel. Sacred spaces like Kiyomizu-dera invite quiet reflection without asking for it, creating a moment of mindfulness, even for kids who usually rush through. Let them feel the calm without filling it with explanations.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Kiyomizu-dera
- The temple’s massive wooden deck was built without using a single nail, a feat of ancient Japanese joinery still holding strong centuries later.
- The Otowa Waterfall has three streams, said to bless visitors with health, love, or wisdom, but tradition says you should only choose one.
- The temple’s name, “Kiyomizu,” means “pure water,” reflecting both the waterfall and the spiritual clarity the site is known for.
- Near the temple are two “love stones”, said to help those who walk between them with eyes closed find true love (Luca and Nico were more interested in breakfast than romance).
Want more family-friendly Kyoto inspiration? Check out our full Kyoto Family Travel Guide for where to stay, how to get around, and the best outdoor activities.
Until Next Time…
We came for the view and the waterfall, but what we found at Kiyomizudera was something even better, a quiet beginning to a new day, and a family travel story we’ll never forget.
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep dreaming!
~ The LuNi Travels Family ~
