Sannenzaka, Historic pedestrian street in Higashiyama district, Kyoto, Japan.
Sannenzaka is a stone-paved pedestrian street that stretches through Kyoto's Higashiyama district, featuring traditional wooden buildings, shops selling local crafts and pottery, and teahouses that reflect the architectural styles of the Edo and Meiji periods.
Designated in 1972 as Kyoto's first historic preservation district and Japan's first legally recognized urban heritage site, Sannenzaka has maintained its traditional appearance with buildings constructed during the Meiji era and structures showcasing Kyo Machiya architectural characteristics.
The street offers visitors opportunities to experience traditional Japanese culture through tea ceremonies, browse shops selling Kiyomizu-yaki pottery and handcrafted fans, and observe people dressed in kimono while sampling local sweets such as yatsuhashi made from cinnamon and rice flour.
Sannenzaka connects major landmarks including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kodaiji Temple, and Yasaka Shrine, with shops typically operating from 10 a.m. until sunset and the area accessible by bus from Kyoto Station in approximately 30 minutes or on foot from Gion-Shijo Station.
The name Sannenzaka, meaning three-year slope, is associated with local legends suggesting that falling on the street could bring misfortune within three years, but purchasing a gourd from shops at its base is believed to prevent this bad luck according to Edo period folklore.
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