Sannenzaka Ninenzaka Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka featuring 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 a city and street scenes
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka which includes a city and street scenes 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

Activities


Our pick of the best Sannenzaka Ninenzaka Hotel Deals

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs

3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$222 per night from 21 Oct to 22 Oct
AU$222
21 Oct - 22 Oct
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! (3,579 reviews)
"I stayed on the 5th floor and the 4th floor was a smoking floor. I cab smell the cigarette smoke."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

4 out of 5
74 Nakajimacho,Kawaramachi Higashi-iru, Sanjo-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$262 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$262
19 Oct - 20 Oct
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,306 reviews)
"Gorgeous hotel, amazing area, excellent staff and will book when visiting again!"

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
Hotel Emion Kyoto

Hotel Emion Kyoto

3.5 out of 5
Sujakudonokuchicho 20-4, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$212 per night from 17 Oct to 18 Oct
AU$212
17 Oct - 18 Oct
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! (1,896 reviews)
"As far as what I didn’t like there is not much that I can think of other than clothes are hard to dry in high humidity. This was not the hotels issue . The property was super clean, staff was fantastic, and it was connected by a short bridge walkway to the train system. Super easy to navigate all ..."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Hotel Emion Kyoto
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO

4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$789 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
AU$789
25 Oct - 26 Oct
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! (2,329 reviews)
"No comment"

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

4 out of 5
420 Sakuranocho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,022 reviews)
"Excellent location within shopping mall, with adjacent door into 7 eleven store. 6 minutes walk to nearest train station. Staff excellent with very good English."

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo
APA Hotel Kyoto Ekihigashi

APA Hotel Kyoto Ekihigashi

3 out of 5
Higashishiokojicho, 552-1, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$189 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$189
19 Oct - 20 Oct
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and onsite spa services. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,018 reviews)
"The room upon check-in wasn’t as clean as expected. There were finger prints and substances on the desk and table. There was hair in the tub, on the ground in the bathroom and on the toilet seat. Overall, the location of the hotel is perfect we are at restaurants less than 5 minutes away. Not to ..."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

APA Hotel Kyoto Ekihigashi
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(9 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Three-Year Slope 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
Kenninji Temple which includes a temple or place of worship, autumn leaves and interior views

Komatsucho

5/5(9 area reviews)

While visiting Komatsucho, you might make a stop by sights like Kenninji Temple and Hanamikoji Street.

Komatsucho
Gion featuring night scenes, cycling and street scenes

Gion

5/5(58 area reviews)

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

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

Okazaki

4.5/5(3 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
Default Image

Karasuma

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

Karasuma
Kyoto showing mountains and a river or creek

Downtown Kyoto

While you're in Downtown Kyoto, take in top sights like Kyoto International Manga Museum or Museum of Kyoto, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Karasuma Oike Station or Marutamachi Station.

Downtown Kyoto


Sannenzaka Ninenzaka Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip:

Explore a world of travel with Expedia