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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kansai - Kyoto
Philosopher's Path
# 12   of 46 sights
in Kyoto

The Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku no michi) is a pleasant stone path through the northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district. The path follows a canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees. Usually in early April these trees explode with color, making this one of the city's most popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spots.

Approximately two kilometers long, the path begins around Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and ends in the neighborhood of Nanzenji. The path gets its name due to Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan's most famous philosophers, who was said to practice meditation while walking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University.

The Philosopher's Path during cherry blossom season

Restaurants, cafes, and boutiques can be found along the path, as well as a number of smaller temples and shrines which are a short walk from the canal. The most notable of the temples is Honen-in, with an entrance gate that is quite spectacular especially during the autumn leaf season.

The canal, that the path follows, is part of the Lake Biwa Canal which tunnels 20 kilometers through the mountains to Lake Biwa in nearby Shiga Prefecture. The canal was built during the Meiji Period in order to revitalize the stagnating local economy, and was used to power Japan's first hydroelectric power plant. A beautiful aqueduct, which is part of the canal, can be seen around Nanzenji.

The Philosopher's Path in autumn
Honen-in Temple

How to get there
The Philosopher's Path runs between Ginkakuji and the neighborhood of Nanzenji, a 5-10 minute walk north of Nanzenji's main temple buildings.

How to get to and around Kyoto

News and Reports
Kyoto Autumn Color Report
November 26, 2009
Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Light Up
November 25, 2009
Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Ohara
November 22, 2009
Kyoto Autumn Color Report
November 21, 2009
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Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Higashiyama
November 18, 2009
Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Kurama
November 16, 2009
Kyoto Autumn Color Report
November 12, 2009

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Popularity of Philosopher's Path:
Users who have been to Kyoto: 2237
Users who have been to Philosopher's Path: 473

12th of 46 most visited sights in Kyoto.
47th of 589 most visited sights nationwide.

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