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2025.9.5
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Kiyomizu Temple Eating and Walking

2025] 13 Gourmet Eateries to Enjoy on the Approach to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

[When you visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, don't you want to enjoy delicious gourmet food as well? The area around Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, a World Heritage Site in Kyoto, is full of gourmet restaurants that you can visit before or after your visit to the temple. For those of you who want to enjoy food while strolling around Kyoto, we will introduce a variety of spots recommended by our local editorial staff, including excellent sweets and matcha green tea, that you may want to stop by along the way! In addition to the famous Sanneizaka (Sannenzaka), Ninenzaka (Ninenzaka), and Ichinenzaka (Ichinenzaka), check out the information on Chawanzaka and Asahizaka, which are well known to those in the know! (TEXT/Yumi Matsumura, Airiko Takabayashi, EDIT/Moe Sawamura, Kanako Horike)

Contents of this article

1.
First, check the approach to Kiyomizu Temple on the MAP!
2.
Matcha Cream Frappuccino® at a traditional Japanese house [Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Niningsaka Yasaka Chayaten (京都二寧坂ヤサカ茶屋店)] / Niningsaka
3.
Matcha lovers will not be able to resist! Thick matcha latte and matcha doughnuts at GOKAGO, a Japanese tea specialty store / Kiyomizu-zaka
4.
A large, mouth-watering, seared mitarashi [Gekkabijin] / Niningsaka, Tokyo
5.
Try the softness and firmness of the strawbaked rice cake at Kyoto Kiyomizu Warabimochi monna / Chawanzaka, Kyoto.
6.
Speaking of Kyoto sweets! [Try the popular Kyo-Baamu Soft at Kyo-Baamu Kiyomizu Branch / Kiyomizu-zaka
7.
Enjoy freshly made Mitarashi dumplings from Umezono Kiyomizu-ten (dumplings even Maiko ate) / Sanneizaka, Tokyo
8.
Mitarashi dango and cool green powdered tea at Kyo Dango Fujinami, which has been popular in Kyoto for centuries / Sanneizaka
9.
The Unir Coffee Senses] / Ichinenzaka, a traditional building designated by Kyoto City
10.
[Tofu manju (bean curd buns) at Sohonke Yudof Okutan Kiyomizu (Sohonke Yudof Okutan Kiyomizu) are moist with homemade soy milk / Niningsaka
11.
Warabimochi made with rare strawbeech flour and bittersweet oosu (sweet mochi) [Kyo Kanmi Bunnosuke Chaya Kyoto Honten] / Sanneizaka, Kyoto, Japan
12.
[Enjoy a stroll with a skewer of Japanese sweets from Itoken/SOU・SOU Kiyomizumise in hand / Sanneizaka
13.
[Kyoto yuba cream croquettes and fried tofu with Kyoto-style dashi at Kirakuan Okamoto Sanneizaka-ten / Sanneizaka
14.
Mizushikutei's freshly made menchi-katsu (fried pork cutlet) while viewing Yasaka-no-to (Yasaka Pagoda) / Sanneizaka-zaka area
15.
Extra Edition] Did you know? The Origin of the Slope on the Approach to Kiyomizu-dera Temple

11. Warabimochi made with rare strawbeech flour and bittersweet oosu (sweet mochi) [Kyo Kanmi Bunnosuke Chaya Kyoto Honten] / Sanneizaka, Kyoto, Japan

The Warabimochi of "Kyo Ama Bun-nosuke Chaya" is made from carefully selected strawbutter and has a unique and powerful stickiness, but when you put it in your mouth, it melts in your mouth and you can enjoy its mellowness and moderate firmness. The slightly fragrant Nikki and the sweetness of the Kyoto soybean flour are a perfect match, using a method inherited from the founder, Bunnosuke Katsura. Enjoy the traditional taste in a Japanese-style space near Yasaka Pagoda.

Cuisine at Bun-no-suke Tea House

The rich aroma and bitterness of the osu is perfect with the strawbimochi.

Bun-no-suke Tea House Exterior

Photo courtesy of Bun-no-suke Tea House

Eating and drinking space: Yes
MAP ishere

Kyo Ama no Suken Chaya Kyoto Main Store

  • kyokanmi bunsuke-chaya tokyo honten
  • 373, Yasakaue-cho, Higashi-iru, Shimogawara-dori, Higashi-iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
  • 7 minutes walk from bus stop "Shimizu-michi".
  • Tel. 075-561-1972
  • 11:00-17:00
  • Irregular holidays
  • https://ecstore.bunnosuke.jp/

12. [Enjoy a stroll with a skewer of Japanese sweets from Itoken/SOU・SOU Kiyomizumise in hand / Sanneizaka

This is a collaboration store between Itoken, a long-established Japanese confectionary store established in 1864, and the Kyoto textile brand SOU・SOU. A pop Japanese space with the SOU-SOU style spreads out in the streets lined with traditional buildings. Recommended for takeout is the wagashi on skewers, a luxurious, Kyoto-style item that can be easily enjoyed with one hand while enjoying the Kami-no-gashi used in the tea ceremony.

Itoken / SOU・SOU Shimizu Store's Japanese sweets on skewers

Traditional Japanese sweets made by hand on a single skewer for 500 yen. Choice of two types: seasonal (fall) and regular.

Exterior view of Itoken/SOU・SOU Shimizu Store

Photo courtesy of Itoken

Eating and drinking space/No
MAP ishere

Itoken / SOU・SOU Shimizu Store

13. [Kyoto yuba cream croquettes and fried tofu with Kyoto-style dashi at Kirakuan Okamoto Sanneizaka-ten / Sanneizaka

Featuring a large logo, freshly fried croquettes and fried chicken are popular here. The yuba cream croquette, made with yuba from Kyoto, is filled with a thick, smooth cream. The karaage uses Kyoto-style dashi (soup stock) for a taste that is uniquely Kyoto. The best part of walking up Sanneizaka is being able to enjoy a freshly made karaage when you are hungry.

Kirakuan croquettes and fried chicken

From left to right: Yuba cream croquettes, 250 yen; Kyoto-style dashi fried tofu, 550 yen for 5 pieces.

Exterior view of Kirakuan

Photo courtesy of Kirakuan Okamoto, Sanneizaka Branch

Eating and drinking space: Yes
MAP ishere

Kirakuan Okamoto, Sanneizaka Branch

14. Mizushikutei's freshly made menchi-katsu (fried pork cutlet) while viewing Yasaka-no-to (Yasaka Pagoda) / Sanneizaka-zaka area

[Located just a short walk from Yasaka Koshindo, Suishikutei's freshly made triple cheese menchikatsu is very popular. From the terrace seats on the second floor, you can enjoy a view of Yasaka Pagoda and enjoy Kyoto's unique atmosphere. The restaurant also offers a full drink menu, so relax and unwind between strolls.

Mizushikutei's Triple Cheese Munch Katsu

The most popular triple cheese menchikatsu is 400 yen.

Exterior view of Suishikutei

Photo courtesy of Suishikutei

Eating and drinking space: Yes
MAP ishere

The Water Colour Pavilion (in Heian Palace)

  • water-colour procession
  • 84 Ueda-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 2 minutes on foot from the bus stop "Kiyomizu"
  • Tel. 075-531-1815
  • Summer 9:30-18:30
    Winter 9:00-18:00
  • 7 days a week
  • https://www.instagram.com/mizuirotei.yasaka/

15. Extra Edition] Did you know? The Origin of the Slope on the Approach to Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Sanneizaka (San-nenzaka)
Sannenzaka (Sanneizaka), with its emotional stone pavement, is a road leading from Kiyomizu-zaka to Ninneizaka, and is sometimes used as a filming location. It is said that the name "Sanneizaka" comes from the fact that many people used to pass through this slope to pray for safe delivery at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and that Nene, the wife of Lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, used to pray for safe delivery at Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Ninenzaka (Ninenzaka)
Niningsaka, lined with cafes and stores using machiya townhouses, is popular as a photo spot for its elegant atmosphere. There are various theories as to the origin of its name, such as "because it is located in front of Sannenzaka (Sanneizaka)" or "because it was created in the 2nd year of Daido (807).

Ichinenzaka (One Year Hill)
Ichinenzaka is a narrow alley extending to the right from the intersection of several roads, including "Nene-no-michi" leading to Yasaka Shrine and Kodaiji Temple and "Ishin-no-michi" leading to Reizan Gokokujin Shrine in Kyoto. It is lined with old-fashioned buildings such as stores and private houses.

Kiyomizu-zaka (Higashiyama-cho, Iwate-ken)
Kiyomizu-zaka, which was created when Kiyomizu-dera Temple was built, became an important transportation route as a shortcut from Yamashina to the Tokaido Highway. As one approaches Kiyomizu-dera, the number of stores increases, and a variety of souvenirs are available. In spring and fall, the "Seiryu-kai" (Blue Dragon Festival) is held, in which a procession of about 18-meter-long seiryu (dragon) and a group of people dressed as gods and other deities parade through the temple.

Chawanzaka (Shimizu New Road)
It was named "Chawanzaka" after "Chawan-ya Kyubei," a man who became a wealthy merchant selling ceramics after the reconstruction of Kiyomizu Temple. Kiyomizu-yaki pottery shops are located here and are popular as souvenirs.

Asahi hill
Asahizaka, a small path connecting Kiyomizu-dera Temple to the east, Kiyomizu-zaka to the north, and Chawan-zaka to the south. Visitors can enjoy not only Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki but also traditional crafts from all over Japan from every angle. As you walk up the hill, you can enjoy the view of Higashiyama (outside of Kyoto) to Nakagyo (in Kyoto) and Sakyo (in Kyoto).
 
If you actually walk around the area, you may come across some undiscovered hills and favorite stores. The slopes are not that steep, so feel free to enjoy a stroll.
 

The information is subject to change. Please contact each store or facility directly for the latest information.
All prices include tax.
※内容の誤りや閉店情報などお気づきの点がございましたら、info@leafkyoto.co.jp までお知らせください。
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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