Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

Kyoto

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


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Things to do


Top hotels in Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

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 P5,826 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P5,826
P6,409 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
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! (1,122 reviews)
"Amazing hotel next to Tokyo station. Friendly staff and great breakfast selection. Will return."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
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! (3,362 reviews)
"Love, love this hotel. 5 minutes walk from the Kyoto station. Complementary lattes and matcha at the lobby. Breakfast selections were exceptional. The hot springs were amazing. The massage chairs were a great additions to end our day after all the walking. Complementary ice cream all day and late ..."

Reviewed on Aug 13, 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 P6,149 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P6,149
P7,778 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
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! (1,629 reviews)
"Fantastic location"

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

Hotel Granvia 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 P3,182 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P3,182
P3,500 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
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! (1,777 reviews)
"Definitely my favourite hotel in my stay at Japan. Very convenient 7/11 nearby. Relatively easy check in. Fairly spacious room with pretty decent amenities. Very close to station. Everything was comfortable. Great Internet access."

Reviewed on Aug 13, 2025

JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO

4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
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! (2,191 reviews)
"We had such a wonderful experience at the hotel! The staff were incredibly professional and kind, making us feel welcomed right away. Our room was not only clean but also equipped with everything we could possibly need and more. We really enjoyed the breakfast and light meals we tried a couple of ..."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
Hotel Emion Kyoto

Hotel Emion Kyoto

3.5 out of 5
Sujakudonokuchicho 20-4, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P3,823 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
P3,823
P4,206 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
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! (1,797 reviews)
"I loved the cleanliness, and some staff were very helpful and kind."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 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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