Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

Kyoto
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka featuring a garden
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 neighborhood’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


Sannenzaka Ninenzaka Hotel Deals

Hotel Emion Kyoto
Hotel Emion Kyoto
3.5 out of 5
Sujakudonokuchicho 20-4, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥8,596 per night from Jun 3 to Jun 4
¥8,596
per night
Jun 3 - Jun 4
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (951 reviews)
"Loved this hotel! The nicest hotel room we have ever had! Absolutely beautiful. Huge buffet to choose from at breakfast. The beds were very comfortable. Would absolutely stay here again."

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Hotel Emion Kyoto
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥16,869 per night from May 29 to May 30
¥16,869
per night
May 29 - May 30
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,470 reviews)
"A short walk from Kyoto Station. Excellent service from the staff. New and clean facilities, a nice japanese ambience in decour. Massage chairs were a hit and the onsen was premium quality."

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥18,956 per night from Jun 4 to Jun 5
¥18,956
per night
Jun 4 - Jun 5
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (683 reviews)
Lovely rooms and location
"Lovely hotel, good location and great staff. Can’t comment on the food as I didn’t try it."

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
3 out of 5
44-1 Higashikujo Kamitonodacho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥8,875 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
¥8,875
per night
Jun 9 - Jun 10
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"Staff service was amazing. 7/11 right underneath and really convenient to access as well as walking distance to the station. Smoke room also available. Room was small however but was more then enough for our 6 night stay as we were out during the day. Clean - If on a budget, would definitely ..."

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Gojo-sagaru, Horikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥9,630 per night from Jun 10 to Jun 11
¥9,630
per night
Jun 10 - Jun 11
Stay at this hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Kyoto is a big city, so lot of walking if not by the station. the bus was very useful. maybe if there was a rental bicycle at hotel I would definately use it. hotel was fine and will use it again."

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Cross Hotel Kyoto
3.5 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥27,734 per night from Jun 2 to Jun 3
¥27,734
per night
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
"Our stay at this hotel was nothing short of exceptional! Highly recommended! The shower experience was like stepping into a dream from another era."

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

Cross Hotel 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.

Other neighborhoods around Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

Shoren-in Temple which includes a temple or place of worship and signage

Higashiyama Ward

4.5/5(29 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Kiyomizu Temple and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Higashiyama Ward. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Higashiyama Station or Sanjo Keihan Station.

Higashiyama Ward
Gion which includes cycling, street scenes and night scenes

Gion

5/5(208 area reviews)

Unique features of Gion include the monuments and shopping. Make a stop by Yasaka Shrine or Maruyama Park while you're exploring the area.

Gion
Eikando Temple showing religious aspects, a temple or place of worship and a garden

Okazaki

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

Gardens and mountain views are highlights of Okazaki. Make a stop by Kyoto Municipal Zoo or Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Keage Station to get around town.

Okazaki
Central Kyoto

Karasuma

Visitors to Karasuma love its popular shops, and you can check out Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
Default Image

Higashikujo Nishisannocho

5/5(35 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Higashikujo Nishisannocho, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Kawaramachi Street and Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Higashikujo Nishisannocho
Kyōto showing a river or creek and mountains

Nakagyo Ward

4.5/5(52 area reviews)

Travelers love Nakagyo Ward for its popular shops, and you can see more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street.

Nakagyo Ward


Sannenzaka Ninenzaka