From Kiyomizu-dera Temple to Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka Slopes

This walking route takes you to visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple in the morning, descend the cobblestones and stone steps of Sannenzaka Slope and Ninenzaka Slope from the temple-front Kiyomizu-zaka street, look up at the Yasaka Pagoda of Hokan-ji Temple, and stroll over to Kodai-ji Temple. As the crow flies, these five spots span a distance of only about 1 kilometer, allowing you to leisurely savor ancient temples of Higashiyama and traditional machiya townscapes preserved along the slopes.

History and Local Charm

Kiyomizu-dera Temple was founded in 778 (Hoki 9) and is part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto." In the Edo period, Kiyomizu-zaka in front of the temple gates flourished as an entertainment area, and around the Genroku era, numerous teahouses operated, lining the street with shops selling souvenirs. Around the mid-17th century, townscapes expanded along the street leading from the bottom of Sannenzaka Slope, past the Yasaka Pagoda, toward the front of Yasaka-jinja Shrine.

The area encompassing Sannenzaka Slope and Ninenzaka Slope was designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government in 1976 (Showa 51) under the name "Kyoto-shi Sanneizaka." The area continues to preserve the scenery where machiya townhouses dating from the end of the Edo period to the Taisho period blend seamlessly with temples and shrines such as Hokan-ji Temple and Kodai-ji Temple. Sannenzaka Slope is also written as Sanneizaka Slope, and Ninenzaka Slope is also written as Nineizaka Slope.

Main Highlights

• ​Kiyomizu-dera Temple​​: The head temple of the Kitahosso sect, built on the slopes of Mt. Otowa. Kiyomizu Stage, jutting out over the cliff from the National Treasure Main Hall, stands about 13 meters high and is supported by 18 keyaki (zelkova) pillars. Otowa Waterfall, from which the temple derives its name, and the three-story pagoda standing roughly 30 meters high are also not to be missed.
• ​Sannenzaka Slope​​: A steep cobblestone slope stretching approximately 100 meters toward Kiyomizu-dera Temple. One theory suggests it is called "Sanneizaka Slope" because it leads to Koyasu Pagoda, which is believed to bring blessings for safe childbirth; folklore also warns that tripping on this slope means dying within three years.
• ​Ninenzaka Slope​​: A small slope of about 15 steps continuing past Sannenzaka Slope. It is lined with buildings featuring refined sukiya-style designs, and midway along the slope stands a stone monument marking the former temporary dwelling where Takehisa Yumeji lived in 1917 (Taisho 6).
• ​Hokan-ji Temple​​: A temple known for its five-story pagoda called the "Yasaka Pagoda." The current 46-meter-tall pagoda was rebuilt in 1440 (Eikyo 12) by Ashikaga Yoshinori and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
• ​Kodai-ji Temple​​: A temple founded in 1606 (Keicho 11) by Kita-no-Mandokoro Nene to pray for the soul of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It features the Otamaya decorated with Kodai-ji makie lacquerwork, a pond garden said to be designed by Kobori Enshu, and the teahouses Karakasa-tei Teahouse and Shigure-tei, which are believed to be surviving structures from Fushimi Castle.

Recommended Route and Duration

The estimated time required is about 4 hours. Because Kiyomizu-dera Temple opens early in the morning, it is recommended to visit during the morning hours. From Kyoto Station, take a city bus to Gojozaka, from which it is about a 10-minute walk. After paying your respects, descend Kiyomizu-zaka in front of the Niomon Gate. As the Niomon Gate sits one level higher than the approach, you can look down on the street lined with tiled roofs before the gate. Walk northwest for about 400 meters to reach the stone steps of Sannenzaka Slope, and from there head north for about 200 meters to Ninenzaka Slope. From Ninenzaka Slope, head west for about 150 meters to Hokan-ji Temple, then walk northeast for about 230 meters to reach Kodai-ji Temple, entering the grounds by walking up Daidokoro-zaka from Nene-no-Michi Path. As the route involves continuous stone steps and cobblestones, please wear comfortable walking shoes. On the way back, it is about a 7-minute walk from Kodai-ji Temple to the Higashiyama Yasui city bus stop.

Summary of the Experience

The view from Kiyomizu Stage, traditional machiya along cobblestone slopes, the Yasaka Pagoda rebuilt in the Muromachi period, and the temple garden and teahouses associated with Nene. Spend half a day walking down the slopes of Higashiyama, immersing yourself in the history of old temples and townscapes preserved from the Edo through Taisho periods.