The Philosopher’s Path, or Tetsugaku no michi, is a 2 km-long pedestrian pathway along a canal in the Northern Higashiyama area of Kyoto. It’s said that Kyoto-based philosopher Nishida Kitaro would walk this path on his daily contemplative strolls, and it seems the nickname stuck. What makes it so special is the 430 cherry trees that line the way, shading the path and creating an ethereal pink spring atmosphere. It goes without saying that this is one of the most popular cherry blossom spots in Kyoto.
Strolling the Philosopher’s Path
All told, the Tetsugaku no michi is only around 2 km (1.2 miles), which should take most people roughly 30 minutes to walk at a regular pace. Of course, there are plenty of things to stop and look at on the way, so it would be wise to add extra time for inspecting flowers, neighbourhood cats, and other wildlife in and around the canal.
The Philosopher’s Path begins here, just a few minutes from the famous Higashiyama Jisho-ji—otherwise known as the Silver Pavilion “Ginkakuji”. While you’re in this neighbourhood, it’s a great idea to see the temple before you begin your Philosopher’s Path walk.
Along the canal, under the pink sakura canopy, you will encounter charming bridges, vibrant flora, and even a few small cafes and shops.
Depending on the time of your visit, you may see the fallen petals floating along the canal’s surface like tiny pink boats. If you’re lucky, you will encounter some ducks, fish and a few dozy cats laying in the sun.
The path comes to an end here in the Nanzenji neighbourhood. If you’re still in the mood for some culture, consider stopping by the Eikan-dō Temple or the Nanzen-ji Temple complex–both excellent temple complexes.
When to visit Tetsugaku no michi
Any time of year is good for a canal stroll and some personal reflection. If you’re interested in cherry blossom viewing, April is the time to go. We should point out that the photos in this article were taken during the Coronavirus Pandemic when Japan was closed to tourism, so there were very few people around.
Typically, cherry blossom season is quite crowded here and in Kyoto in general. To avoid the masses around this time, consider strolling the Philosopher’s Path at night when the trees are romantically illuminated and the crowds are fewer.
Another great time to enjoy nature in Japan is autumn when the maples and gingko are radiating vibrant yellow and red hues. Around October/November, the Philosopher’s Path transforms into a fiery autumn scene worthy of a visit. Summertime is another option, however it can get very hot in Kyoto—particularly in August. Fortunately, the cherry trees along the Philosopher’s Path are lush and green, offering cool shade in the heat of the day.
How to get there
From Kyoto Station, the number 7 City Bus will take around 40 minutes to reach the Ginkakuji-mae bus stop. If you or someone in your group has mobility limitations, check out this brilliant article by Accessible Japan for some tips on visiting the area.
Name: Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku no michi)
Start Point: here
Open: 24 hours
Post by Japan Journeys.
