Edo-period cobbled streets in the Higashiyama district with wooden houses and souvenir shops; free entry.
Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are the most beautiful and best-preserved streets in the entire historic Higashiyama district. Their gently worn cobblestones, the two-storey machiya wooden houses with curved roofs and the traditional lanterns create an Edo-era Japanese atmosphere that surprises with its authenticity. Sannenzaka ("three-year slope") connects with Ninenzaka ("two-year slope") on a pedestrian route dotted with shops selling kiyomizuyaki ceramics, teas, pickles, wagashi and quality souvenirs. The stroll is completely free. The best time to enjoy it without crowds is early in the morning, before 9:00, when the shops are still closing up and silence fills the lanes. The cobbles can become slippery in the rain, so go with good-soled footwear. To get there, take bus 100, 202 or 206 to the Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi stop. The natural itinerary descends from Kiyomizudera towards Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka to the Gion district.
