the show where I tell you about a place in Japan and then we go there.

Today we're headed to yet another location that's part of Kyoto's UNESCO world heritage site

the legendary Buddhist temple Kiyomizudera.

The most famous part of the temple complex is the 13m tall wooden stage

that extends from the front of the main hall.

During the Edo period it was believed that if you jumped off the stage and survived

your wish would be granted

Although now this practice has been prohibited

of the 234 recorded jumps during that period

an impressive 200 jumpers survived

and hopefully got their wish.

The temple was built on the site of the Otowa Waterfall

whose famously pure waters still flow near the bottom of the temple complex

and has been channelled into three streams for visitors to partake of

Also near the stage you'll find the iron spear and sandals of the legendary strong-man warrior-monk Benkei

alongside a regular pole weapon used by ordinary non-strong man monks

As the story goes, if you're able to lift the spear

you'll be endowed with prospoerity and are worth to be a protector of Kiyomizudera.

Lastly, twice a year they have special illumination events at night.

once at the end of March during Hanatoro during sakura season

and again in the end of November for the autumn leaves, which is when we're visiting

Alright, here comes a smorgasbord of fall colors so I hope you're hungry...

... or something...

... start the video...

So, whenever I visit Kiyomizudera

inevitably I end thinking about how I would try to survive that 13m stage jump and get my wish granted.

Would I go for the classic Parkour, dive-roll at the point of impact

Would I just wear a bunch or loose clothing and whole bunch of padding underneath?

Let me know in the comments what creative stategy you would employ to survive the jump

and also what your wish would be.

Thanks for watching, I'm Andrew Marston. See you next time.

You've been watching Tour Japan on the Happy in Japan channel.

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