Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

Kyoto
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka showing 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


Top hotels in Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

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 RM321 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
RM321
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (834 reviews)
Love this hotel
"So close to the station, very friendly staff, clean, unbelievable hot spring, tasty breakfast, many restaurants on the site, next door to the hotel where 7eleven is located. I will stay there again!"

Reviewed on 22 Mar 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 RM647 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
RM647
per night
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,317 reviews)
"Convenience to dining and public transportation. The optional buffet style breakfast was exceptional which is a huge plus. Cute decor here and there which mixes traditional and modern nuances are nice touches. I booked with an impression that the hotel might have been around for awhile since it has ..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
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, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (562 reviews)
"Fantastic"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae
Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae
3 out of 5
565-3 Kita Fudondo-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is RM909 per night from 15 Apr to 16 Apr
RM909
per night
15 Apr - 16 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (373 reviews)
"Our stay was amazing - the hospitality and food (breakfast, afternoon tea and aperitif) are excellent. However the cleaning could be improved, I still see hair on the floor after a full clean (no they offer eco cleaning or full clean). It’s close to Kyoto station and city loop bus stop which is ..."

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2024

Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Ekimae
Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
3 out of 5
396, Gojokarasuma, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is RM349 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
RM349
per night
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (755 reviews)
"The staff and hotel services were extremely English friendly. It went along way in having an easy and relaxing stay"

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2024

Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
Cross Hotel Kyoto
Cross Hotel Kyoto
3.5 out of 5
71-1 Daikokucho, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is RM752 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
RM752
per night
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,020 reviews)
"Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing Cross Hotel. I'm always worried about choosing hotels - that the reviews are inaccurate etc. Not with the Cross! Front staff and check in - remarkable. Breakfast buffet - out of this world. Rooms - so clean, so modern, so chic. Bathrooms - fantastic. ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 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 neighbourhoods around Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

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

Higashiyama Ward

5/5(2 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 showing cycling, night scenes and street scenes

Gion

5/5(46 area reviews)

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

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

Okazaki

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
Default Image

Karasuma

Karasuma is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street, and you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
Default Image

Higashikujo Nishisannocho

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Higashikujo Nishisannocho and surrounding area, you can visit Kawaramachi Street and Nishiki Market.

Higashikujo Nishisannocho
Default Image

Higashikujo Kitakarasumacho

5/5(2 area reviews)

When in Higashikujo Kitakarasumacho, you can plan a visit to Kawaramachi Street and Nishiki Market, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Higashikujo Kitakarasumacho

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka