Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka

The basics

Located in the Higashiyama historic district, the sloping stone-paved streets of Ninenzaka and Sannensaka were built in 807 and 808, respectively. In addition to restaurants and shops, visitors wandering down Ninenzaka and Sannensaka will find the Kiyomizu Sannenaka Museum, which houses artwork from the Edo and Meiji periods, and views of the 5-story Yasaka Pagoda. As Ninenzaka and Sannensaka offer an ultra-romantic backdrop to any picture, it’s common to see travelers accompanied by a professional photographer, with some even renting kimonos for the shoot.

This historic area features on Kyoto private walking tours, self-guided audio tours, and tours that also take visitors through the geisha district of Gion. To beat the crowds, early morning and night tours are great options.

Things to know before you go

• The area can be challenging for wheelchair users as the streets are sloped and there are steps up to some of the shops. A better option may be the Pontocho area in Gion.

• This is an ideal place for taking photos—Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka don’t have the overhead power lines that the rest of Kyoto has.

• There are lots of restaurants and cafés if you want to stop for a refreshment.

How to get there

From Kyoto-kawaramachi Station (accessible via the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line) or Gion-Shijō Station (accessible via the Keihan Main Line), it’s around 18 minutes if you’re heading to Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka on foot. Alternatively, from Kyoto Station, it’s possible to get the #206 bus from stop D2 to Higashiyama Yasui. From there, it’s around an 8-minute walk.

When to get there

If you want to get great photos but skip the crowds, avoid visiting in the daytime during cherry blossom season: This time of year, the area is swarming with people taking photos of the flowers and visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Instead, wait until the temple has closed when things get quieter, and go for an evening stroll.

Things to see in and around Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka

For temple-hopping, check out the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kiyomizu-dera Temple, followed by one of Kyoto’s most colorful temples, Yasaka Koshindo, known for its monkey statues. There are endless shopping options on Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, but fun picks are Donguri Kyowakoku for its Studio Ghibli-themed souvenirs and Fukiya for traditional arts and crafts.