Nijūsan-ya

Downtown Kyoto


Boxwood combs and hair clips are one of Kyoto’s most famous traditional crafts, and they are still used in the elaborate hairstyles of the city’s geisha and maiko. This tiny hole-in-the-wall shop has a fine selection for you to choose from (and if you don’t like what’s on view, you can ask if it has other choices in stock – it usually does).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Downtown Kyoto attractions

1. Ponto-chō

0.17 MILES

There are few streets in Asia that rival this narrow pedestrian-only walkway for atmosphere. Not much to look at by day, the street comes alive at night,…

2. Ebisu-jinja

0.28 MILES

This small shrine near Kennin-ji honours Ebisu, the god of prosperity. Naturally, it's a popular spot with local businesspeople. The Tōka Ebisu festival…

3. Kennin-ji

0.3 MILES

Founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, Kennin-ji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. It is an island of peace and calm on the border of the boisterous Gion…

4. Nishiki Market

0.37 MILES

The covered Nishiki Market (Nishiki-kōji Ichiba) is one of Kyoto’s real highlights, especially if you have an interest in cooking and dining. Commonly…

5. Yasui Konpira-gū

0.43 MILES

This interesting little Shintō shrine on the edge of Gion contains one of the most peculiar objects we've encountered anywhere in Japan: the enkiri…

6. Yasaka-jinja

0.48 MILES

This colourful and spacious shrine is considered the guardian shrine of the Gion entertainment district. It's a bustling place that is well worth a visit…

7. Rokuharamitsu-ji

0.51 MILES

An important Buddhist pilgrimage stop, this temple was founded in 963 by Kūya Shōnin, who carved an image of an 11-headed Kannon and installed it in the…

8. Kyoto City Hall

0.54 MILES

Built in 1927, this imposing building takes up one block on the corner of Kawaramachi-dōri and Oike-dōri.