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Richard, enjoy my life!The Philosopher's Path (哲学の道, Tetsugaku no michi) is a stone path through the northern part of Kyoto's Higashiyama district, well known for hanami, the cherry blossom in early April. It follows a canal lined by hundreds of cherry trees. Around two kilometers long, the path starts around Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and ends near Nanzen-ji temple. The path is named after Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan's most famous philosophers. He used this way for meditation on his daily walk to Kyoto University.
Picture by Wenjie, Zhang | A Certain Slant of LightYou will discover restaurants, cafes and boutiques along the path, and a number of smaller temples and shrines, for example Honen-in temple. Its entrance gate is marvellous during the autumn leaf season.
Picture by Jeffrey and Shaowen BardzellEntrance to Honen-in temple
Picture by sarah
Picture by o_OzzzzkThe canal was built during the Meiji Period and tunnels 20 kilometers through the mountains to Lake Biwa in nearby Shiga Prefecture. An aqueduct, which is part of the canal, can be seen around Nanzen-ji temple.
Picture by Lazlo IlyesNanzenji temple
Picture by amespiphotoYou can spend a memorable day, if you combine the Philosopher's Path with a visit of Nanzen-ji temple.
Read also:
The walk that made me love Japan by writer Pico Iyer
More Kyoto walks:
Kyoto Walks by Japan National Tourist Organization
Kyoto Walking Itineraries by Inside Kyoto
Kyoto Walking Map by Kyoto Visitor's Guide
Self-guided Walking Tours in Kyoto by gpsmycity.com
Deep Kyoto Walks
Back to: Your Guide for Kyoto
