The bell tower of Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is located on the right side of the Niomon Gate at the entrance to the temple grounds and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The bell tower was rebuilt in 1607 by Gyoken Shonin, abbot of Seijoin Temple, in the early Edo period. At the time of reconstruction, the bell tower, which was formerly located northeast of the main hall and southeast of the present Jishu Shrine, was moved to its present location. Later, in 1999, the temple underwent a major renovation, restoring the superb coloring and tan-nuri of the Edo Kan'ei period (1603-1868) and giving the temple its present gorgeous appearance. The bell hanging in the bell tower is the fifth generation, newly dedicated in 2008 (Heisei 20), and is approximately 197 cm tall and weighs 2.365 tons. The bell is struck 10 times every morning starting at 4:51 a.m., and is known as the earliest bell in Kyoto to announce the morning. The previous bell, the fourth bell, was cast in 1478 at the behest of Gan'a Shonin, a priest of the Jishu sect of Buddhism, and was used for 530 years, but was retired for preservation due to metal deterioration and is now enshrined in the Hozoden. The belfry is a gabled structure with a single-layer tile roof. Normally, the belfry has four pillars at each corner, but Kiyomizu Temple's belfry has six pillars to support the weight of the temple bell. The bell tower is also decorated with carvings of baku (tapir) and elephants, and is characterized throughout by the gorgeous Azuchi-Momoyama style. On New Year's Eve, visitors can ring the temple bell in the bell tower, which attracts a large number of people.