The Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto, Japan

The Philosopher’s Path, in Japanese called Tetsugaku-no-michi (哲学の道), is a lush, tree-lined pathway in the Sakyō Ward of Kyoto, Japan. It is called the Philosopher’s Path because a Kyoto University professor of philosophy, Nishida Kitaro, walked the path frequently as a meditation of sorts.

Intro to the Philosopher’s Path

The Philosopher’s Path is about 2 kilometers/1.2 miles long and is free to walk through. It has become a popular area for tourists because of its beauty and proximity to some of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks. It is possible to walk it in 30 minutes at a moving pace (this is just the path itself, not including the time spent at places like temples along the way), but I prefer to take my time admiring the sights.

A popular route is to start at Ginkakuji, Kyoto’s famous Silver Pavilion, and walk south on the Philosopher’s Path to the Nanzenji temple. Alternatively, you can start at Nanzenji and work your way north to Ginkakuji. If you want to explore the temples, which I recommend because they are both beautiful and historic, it is best to walk this path sometime between morning and late afternoon since most of the temples close around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. To get to Ginkakuji initially, you can take a bus from Kyoto Station. If you want to start at Nanzenji, you can take the Tozai Line subway to Keage Station and walk over from there. Or, if you are staying in the Sakyo or Higashiyama area, it is very easy to walk to any of these landmarks from your hotel or ryokan.

I try to visit the Philosopher’s Path each time I go to Kyoto because it is such a special place, and on each trip I discover new things I had not noticed before. If you have anxiety and a million thoughts constantly cluttering your head like I do, this path is one that can calm you from the inside out. It is magical. So, I would like to show you some of the lovely sights I have come across on various journeys through and around the Philosopher’s Path.

What to See On the Philosopher’s Path

Streaming Water

You can hear the sounds of water streaming through the canal that runs alongside the walking paths.

Seasonal Colors

The maple trees turn a beautiful red-gold color in autumn. There are lots of flowering cherry trees as well, and I’ve heard the path is showered with pink blossoms in the spring.

Flowers

I came across these bright pink flowers and loved the contrast they had with the greenery around them.

Traditional and Modern Architecture

Some of my favorite things to see around the path are examples of traditional and modern Japanese architecture.

Cats

There are so many cats hanging out on this path, and I want to befriend all of them. They are all so adorable! There’s even an area with a little cat sanctuary.

Bridges

Several neat bridges along the main walkway connect both sides of the canal. The other side has a few restaurants, houses, and shops.

Poem by Nishida Kitaro

Along the way is a stone memorializing the abovementioned philosopher Nishida Kitaro. The stone has a poem by Nishida carved into it.

Pretty Sunsets

You can see light glinting off the roofs of the nearby buildings as the sun sets.

Mountains

As you walk towards the Philosopher’s Path, you can see some of Kyoto’s lovely tree-covered mountains.

Other Sights

On various visits, some other things I have seen on the Philosopher’s Path included locals walking their dogs, little shops selling green tea ice cream, children in their uniforms walking home from school, artists painting the landscape, and pottery shops. I notice something new on every visit!

Final Thoughts

The Philosopher’s Path is a wonderfully tranquil walk with so many pleasant sights along the way. To me, it represents so much of what Kyoto is: beautiful, peaceful, calming, and preserved. There is a distinct feeling one gets when in Kyoto, something spiritual and rejuvenating, and the Philosopher’s Path embodies that feeling so well.

(All photos taken by Clara Juliette)

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