Kiyomizu-dera wooden stage

Ever since the Edo period, the wooden stage from the Kiyomizu-dera main hall was one of the most popular places in Kyoto. Visitors are coming here from all over the country to admire the landscape, because the view from here is simply gorgeous.

But in the past there was also a local custom hard to explain: it was believed that if one will survive to a jump from the stage in the 13-meters-deep abyss beneath, they will have a wish fulfilled... and 234 people actually jumped! Only 200 of them survived and fortunately this custom is forbidden today.

However, if you want to have a wish fulfilled at Kiyomizu-dera, you can try a much enjoyable tradition: drinking water from the Otowa Waterfall - the green roof that can be seen in the center of my photo...