Kiyomizu-dera Main Hall

The wooden stage of the Kiyomizu-dera temple was erected about 400 years ago, but because of the construction technique it is highly earthquake-resistant.

With a total height similar to a four-story building, the temple's stage and hall sits on 18 pillars made of zelkova trees tied together with rails penetrating each pillar and forming flexible joints. The entire structure is held together without using a single nail...