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

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
4.5 out of 5
Gojo-sagaru, Horikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥8,791 per night from Jun 10 to Jun 11
¥8,791
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! (1,002 reviews)
"Could not have been better. Extremely kind staff, beautiful hotel, and spacious room for a fair price. I had a great time!"

Reviewed on May 22, 2024

Kyoto Tokyu Hotel
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥16,793 per night from Jun 9 to Jun 10
¥16,793
per night
Jun 9 - Jun 10
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! (1,517 reviews)
Clean, comfortable and FUN
"Somehow this place managed to be large, yet very cozy! I can't say enough good things. Shoes locked up the duration of your time indoors. Everyone walking around in PJs provided by hotel. Free late night ramen (exactly when you need it!), free ice cream, coffee, tea and hot cocoa. Massage chairs! ..."

Reviewed on May 20, 2024

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundable
The price is ¥20,588 per night from Jun 4 to Jun 5
¥20,588
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! (716 reviews)
"I love the his hotel."

Reviewed on May 21, 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! (1,008 reviews)
Kyoto
"Located close to train station. Metro and buses are across train station so one has to walk through thousands of people to reach exit (only inconvenience for two senior back packers with sore backs!). Hotel has great amenities and people are wonderful."

Reviewed on May 20, 2024

JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
Hotel Emion Kyoto
Hotel Emion Kyoto
3.5 out of 5
Sujakudonokuchicho 20-4, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥8,837 per night from Jun 3 to Jun 4
¥8,837
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! (987 reviews)
"You can view laundromat status remotely through the TV in your room, which is pretty cool. Unfortunately, there are only 4 machines, one was out of order, and most loads take 90 minutes. Compound that with other guests and you’re going to have a tough time getting a slot. Other than that, the hotel ..."

Reviewed on May 20, 2024

Hotel Emion Kyoto
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 4 to Jun 5
¥27,734
per night
Jun 4 - Jun 5
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! (1,011 reviews)
"Excellent location, beautiful rooms and accommodations"

Reviewed on May 21, 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 Murin-an 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
Default Image

Downtown Kyoto

If you're spending time in Downtown Kyoto, check out sights like Nishiki Market or Kawaramachi Street and hop on the metro to see more the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto


Sannenzaka Ninenzaka