Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

Kyoto

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka featuring street scenes and a small town or village as well as a large group of people
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka showing a park
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka featuring street scenes and a city
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka showing street scenes and a city as well as a large group of people
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka showing markets

Charming craft shops, ceremonious teahouses and tiny cafés spill out from the traditional wooden façades of this historic pair of lanes below Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Experience a pocket of Kyoto’s history in the sloping cobbled streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. Translating to “Two-Year Hill” and “Three-Year Hill,” these two lanes date back to the very beginnings of Kyoto’s imperial history and have been beautifully restored to demonstrate the neighbourhood’s former way of life.

Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are both pedestrianized lanes that lead up from Nene-no-Michi Lane past the Yasaka Pagoda to the famous hilltop Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The charming streets are lined with traditional wooden-façade teahouses, cafés and stores selling locally made crafts and souvenirs.

Take your time exploring the small stores and workshops dotted throughout the lanes. You might see traditional ceramics, special “ohashi” chopsticks, Japanese paper crafts, fabric, candy and garments. Pick up a souvenir or keepsake, such as a handcrafted saké bottle or “hashioki,” small ceramic holders for your chopsticks.

Make sure you stop by one of the traditional teahouses to experience a tea ceremony, complete with a kimono-clad server. If you try “matcha,” or powdered green tea, your server will prepare your tea ritualistically with a tea bowl, spoon and whisk. Often, tea is served with a rice cake with a sweet filling, called “mochi.” Enjoy a quiet moment sipping your tea, watching visitors and locals wandering up and down the lanes. Some visitors try on traditional kimono costumes and pose for photographs.

Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are open daily for free. Visit in the daytime to check out the shops or in the evening to see beautiful lanterns and warmly lit restaurants. Allow 45 minutes to wander uphill all the way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Those who prefer an easier walk might opt to begin their visit with a bus ride to Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi. From here, take the 10-minute uphill walk up to the temple before making a descent via Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of Kyoto’s most famous Buddhist sites and features several shrines, including a sacred waterfall and a shrine for finding success in love.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu

The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu

4.5 out of 5
2-204-2 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €624 per night from 4 Sept to 5 Sept
€624
4 Sept - 5 Sept
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Kiyomizu Temple and Yasaka Shrine are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (123 reviews)
"My son and I stayed at Seiryu Kyoto hotel for 4 nights and enjoyed their beautiful grounds, amazing staff, superb views, and delicious meals and snacks. The room was impeccable, with every detail in place, and the lounge and restaurants upheld very high standards."

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €87 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
€87
28 Aug - 29 Aug
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3,389 reviews)
"I am a westerner traveling in Japan and am so glad I stayed here and was able to experience the culture. It was a truly part of my trip and appreciated the bath house, nightly ramen and delicious breakfast. Thank you"

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Hotel Granvia Kyoto

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

4.5 out of 5
JR Kyoto Station, Karasuma Chuo-guchi, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €132 per night from 24 Sept to 25 Sept
€132
24 Sept - 25 Sept
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,650 reviews)
"A peaceful oasis on top of the Kyoto trains station and 5 story mall."

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Hearton Hotel Kyoto

Hearton Hotel Kyoto

3 out of 5
Oike-agaru, Higashinotoin St. Nakagyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €51 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
€51
26 Aug - 27 Aug
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"A very nice and well located hotel with easy access to many attractions via a nearby train station. Rooms are clean and very functional. Walking to the river is roughly a 15 minute walk and train stations are between 2 minutes and roughly 10 minutes. Overall, a fantastic hotel!"

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

Hearton Hotel Kyoto
Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 

4 out of 5
44-1, Kamitonodacho, Higashikujo, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €121 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
€121
27 Aug - 28 Aug
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,141 reviews)
"Nice room and Onsen, not many restaurants immediately around the hotel but within a 10 min walk"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 
Hotel Emion Kyoto

Hotel Emion Kyoto

3.5 out of 5
Sujakudonokuchicho 20-4, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is €63 per night from 26 Aug to 27 Aug
€63
26 Aug - 27 Aug
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,807 reviews)
"This was an amazing hotel, and staying here made our time in Kyoto great. The rooms were gorgeous and spacious, with absolutely amazing bathrooms. The people were all great (as always in Japan) as well. Perhaps the best part about the hotel is the smattering of restaurants and shopping right in the ..."

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2025

Hotel Emion Kyoto
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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