The Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道) is a scenic pedestrian path that follows a canal in the northern part of the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, Japan. The path is approximately 2 kilometers long and runs from the Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) in the north to the Nanzen-ji Temple in the south.
The path is named after the famous Japanese philosopher, Nishida Kitaro, a professor at Kyoto Imperial University (now Kyoto University), who is said to have walked along the canal daily while meditating. Along the path, visitors can enjoy views of traditional Japanese gardens, cherry blossom trees, and small cafes and shops. In spring, approximately 500 cherry trees lining the path bloom beautifully, creating a mesmerizing cherry blossom tunnel.
Notable sights along the Philosopher’s Path include Honen-in Temple, known for its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful gardens, and Eikan-do Temple, famous for its spectacular autumn foliage illumination. Other popular attractions along or near the path include Anraku-ji Temple, Reikan-ji Temple, Kumano Nyakuouji Shrine, Nanzen-ji Temple, the Ginkaku-ji Temple, and the Kyoto University campus.
Getting there
From Kyoto Station to Philosopher’s Path:
| Bus | Kyoto Station ↓ Bus Number 205 ↓ 16 minutes (8 stops) Kyoto Shiyakusho mae ↓ Bus number 32 ↓ 13 minutes (10 stops) Kamimiyanomaecho ↓ Walk about 3 minutes ↓ Philosopher’s Path (230 yen) |
| Walk | About 1 hour 25 minutes (6.0 km) |
