Neighbourhood · Kyoto

Kiyomizu-Gojo and southern Higashiyama: what to see and do

清水五条・東山

The slopes below Kiyomizu-dera and the streets down to the Kamo river at Gojo, including Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka and the Sanjusangen-do area. It suits first-time visitors who want the preserved lanes nearby and quieter evenings than downtown.

12 places Kiyomizu-Gojo, 10 min walkShichijo, 15 min walk 20 min to Kyoto Station

The main hall of Kiyomizu-dera on its wooden stage above the wooded hillside
Kiyomizu-dera · Photo: ito1117 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Your dates

Sights

  1. Temple

    Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺

    Founded in 780 on the Otowa waterfall in the eastern hills and part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 20 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  2. Temple

    Sanjusangen-do 三十三間堂

    The popular name of Rengeo-in, founded in 1164.

    Shichijo (Keihan Main Line), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  3. Street

    Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka 産寧坂・二寧坂

    Two stepped, stone-paved lanes on the approach to Kiyomizu-dera, lined with preserved wooden shops, cafes and restaurants.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 45 min

  4. Landmark

    Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji) 八坂の塔（法観寺）

    The five-storied pagoda of Hokan-ji, the last remaining structure of the temple, rising above the lanes between Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk · Paid entry · 15 min

  5. Museum

    Kyoto National Museum 京都国立博物館

    Opened in 1897, one of Japan's four national museums.

    Shichijo (Keihan Main Line), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h 30 min

  6. Temple

    Rokuharamitsu-ji 六波羅蜜寺

    A temple between the Kamo river and Higashiyama whose treasure hall holds Heian and Kamakura period sculpture, including the standing statue of the monk Kuya.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 7 min walk · Paid entry · 30 min

  7. Museum

    Kawai Kanjiro's House 河井寬次郎記念館

    The house, studio and climbing kiln that the potter Kawai Kanjiro designed in 1937 and lived in for the rest of his life, near Gojozaka.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 10 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  8. Street

    Kiyomizu-zaka 清水坂

    The main approach to Kiyomizu-dera, a slope of about 700 m lined with shops selling Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, fans, sweets, pickles and souvenirs.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 20 min walk · Free entry · 40 min

  9. Temple

    Yasaka Koshin-do 八坂庚申堂（金剛寺）

    A small temple, formally Kongo-ji, just below the Yasaka Pagoda, hung with thousands of colourful cloth balls called kukurizaru.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 15 min

  10. Temple

    Chishaku-in 智積院

    The head temple of the Chizan branch of Shingon Buddhism, at the east end of Shichijo-dori.

    Shichijo (Keihan Main Line), 14 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  11. Shrine

    Toyokuni Shrine and the Hoko-ji bell 豊国神社・方広寺

    A shrine to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, rebuilt in 1880 on the site of the Great Buddha hall of Hoko-ji, with a Momoyama-period karamon gate designated a National Treasure.

    Shichijo (Keihan Main Line), 8 min walk · Free entry · 30 min

Food, drink and markets

  1. Cafe

    Kasagiya かさぎ屋

    A sweets shop on the Ninenzaka stone steps, open since 1914, serving ohagi, zenzai and other red bean sweets.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 30 min

Getting there

  • Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 10 min walk
  • Shichijo (Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk
Kyoto Station
20 min
Shijo-Kawaramachi crossing
15 min
Yasaka Shrine (Gion)
15 min

Travel time (public transport)

For visitors

  • Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka and Kodai-ji within walking distance, including early in the morning
  • Keihan trains from Kiyomizu-Gojo to Gion-Shijo and Fushimi-Inari
  • Quieter at night than Gion and downtown once the day visitors leave
  • The lanes near Kiyomizu-dera are very crowded by day
  • Shops and cafes on the slopes close early, around 17:00 or 18:00
  • Hilly streets; no subway, and no direct rail link to Kyoto Station

Nearby areas

Staying here

Hotels in Kiyomizu-Gojo had a median rate of US$397 per night in the latest weekly sample. Ryokan and machiya inns on the Higashiyama slopes, newer mid-range and boutique hotels along Gojo-dori and near the river, some upscale properties near the preserved lanes, and guesthouses near Kiyomizu-Gojo Station.

Where to stay in Kiyomizu-Gojo: stations, pros and cons, hotel types

Prices and availability come from the booking sites and can change.

Sources · Verified 24 September 2026