Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the starting point at the Gojō-zaka bus stop on Higashiōji-dōri (bus 18, 100, 206 or 207), walk up Gojō-
zaka slope. Head uphill until you reach the first fork in the road; bear right and continue up Chawan-zaka
(Teapot Lane). At the top of the hill, you'll come to Kiyomizu-dera. Before you enter the temple, we recom-
mend that you pay ¥100 to descend into the
Tainai-meguri
, the entrance to which is just to the left of the
main temple entrance. Next, enter
Kiyomizu-dera
.
After touring Kiyomizu-dera, exit down Kiyomizu-michi. Continue down the hill and take a right at the four-
way intersection down stone-paved steps. This is Sannen-zaka, where you will find tiny little
Kasagi-ya
,
which has been serving tea and Japanese-style sweets for as long as anyone can remember. It is on the left, just
below a vending machine.
Halfway down Sannen-zaka, the road curves to the left. Follow it a short distance, then go right down a flight of
steps into Ninen-zaka. At the end of Ninen-zaka zigzag left (at the vending machines) then right (just past the
car park), and continue north. Very soon, on your left, you'll come to the entrance to
Ishibei-kōji
- perhaps
the most beautiful street in Kyoto. Take a detour to explore this, then retrace your steps and continue north,
passing almost immediately the entrance to
Kōdai-ji
on the right up a long flight of stairs.
After Kōdai-ji continue north to the T-junction; turn right at this junction and then take a quick left. You'll cross
the wide pedestrian arcade that leads to Ōtani cemetery and then descend into
Maruyama-kōen
. In the
centre of the park, you'll see the giant Gion shidare-zakura, Kyoto's most famous cherry tree.
From the park, you can head west into the grounds of
Yasaka-jinja
. Then return to the park and head north
to tour the grounds of the impressive
Chion-in
. From here it's a quick walk to
Shōren-in
. From
Shōren-in walk down to Sanjō-dōri.
NINEN-ZAKA & SANNEN-ZAKA
OFFLINE MAP
(Higashiyama-ku, Kiyomizu; 10min walk from Higashiyama-yasui bus stop, bus 206 from Kyoto Station)
Just
downhill from and slightly to the north of Kiyomizu-dera, you will find one of Kyoto's
loveliest restored neighbourhoods, the Ninen-zaka-Sannen-zaka area. The name refers to
the two main streets of the area: Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, literally 'Two-Year Hill'
and 'Three-Year Hill' (the years referring to the ancient imperial years when they were
first laid out). These two charming streets are lined with old wooden houses, traditional
shops and restaurants. If you fancy a break, there are many tea houses and cafes along
these lanes.
| NEIGHBOURHOOD
KŌDAI-JI
OFFLINE MAP
| TEMPLE
( 526 Shimokawara-chō, Kōdai-ji, Higashiyama-ku; admission ¥600; 9am-5pm; 20min walk from Hi-
gashiyama Station, Tōzai subway line)
This temple was founded in 1605 by Kita-no-Mandokoro in
