Kiyomizudera's Pillars Undergoing Extensive Repairs

Above, Kiyomizudera temple was undergoing repairs during our visit in 2004.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The bases of nine pillars supporting the main hall of Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto are being replaced due to damage.

News On Japan reported:

Extensive repair work being conducted on pillars supporting Kiyomizudera temple was shown to the press this week.

Repairs are in full swing to replace damaged lower portions of pillars underneath the main hall of the temple in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto.

The bases are scheduled to be replaced by late September.

We visited Kiyomizudera in August 2004 and repairs were being undertaken at that time as well. The temple commanded a great view of the city of Kyoto.

Besides being a major tourist attraction in Kyoto, Kiyomizudera was threatened by the approach of Godzilla in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993). Godzilla walked off and spared the temple in the movie.

Kiyumizudera and Kyoto are spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 43.

Above, a view of Kyoto from Kiyomizudera.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The approach to Kiyomizudera is steep, but the streets leading up to the temple are filled with souvenir and food shops to help take your mind away from the uphill hike.

To read the full article (and there's 20-min. video on the approach and temple), go here.

More on Kiyomizudera's repairs here from The Japan News.