Sannenzaka (Sanneizaka)

One of Higashiyama’s most famous tourist spots, this steep stone paved 100 meter hill road leads from Yasaka to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. When the Kiyomizu-dera Temple was founded in 808, this path was built for visitors. The path is lined with souvenir shops, ceramic stores, and Japanese restaurants, giving it a truly Kyoto air. The hill is also called Sanneizaka. There are many theories as to its derivation, but based on the characters which comprise it (meaning “to give birth” and “preference,” it is widely believed that it gained this name from the parishioners climbing it to reach the Koyasu-no-to and pray for a safe childbirth.