Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka: The Preserved Slopes of Legends

Why is it significant?

Step carefully up the weathered stone steps of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, breathing in the scent of roasted hojicha green tea, incense, and cedarwood wafting from the paper-lanterned shops. These stone pathways have guided pilgrims up to Kiyomizu-dera since the early ninth century.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Step carefully up the weathered stone steps of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, breathing in the scent of roasted hojicha green tea, incense, and cedarwood wafting from the paper-lanterned shops. These stone pathways have guided pilgrims up to Kiyomizu-dera since the early ninth century.

Local superstition warns that if you trip and fall on the stone steps of Ninenzaka, you will suffer two years of bad luck, while a fall on Sannenzaka will bring three years of misfortune! Local shops traditionally sold small gourd-shaped amulets called hyotan to ward off the curse, encouraging pilgrims to walk with mindful, respectful steps.

The two-story wooden townhouses lining the stairs feature traditional hanging wooden signs and display Kyoto crafts: handmade folding fans, Kiyomizu-yaki ceramics, and sweet triangular cinnamon-dusted yatsuhashi pastries.

Reach the top of Matsubara Dori where the grand Niomon entrance gate of Kiyomizu-dera appears.