Philosopher's Path

In short

A path of approximately 2 kilometers that runs along a branch line of the Lake Biwa Canal. The name derives from the fact that Nishida Kitaro, a philosopher from Kyoto University, and others immersed themselves in thought along this path, and it is also selected among Japan's 100 Selected Roads.

• ​Kansetsu Sakura and Approximately 400 Cherry Trees​​: The rows of cherry trees began in 1922 when the Japanese painter Hashimoto Kansetsu and his wife Yone donated 300 Yoshino cherry trees. Today, about 400 cherry trees, centered on Yoshino cherry trees, are planted, and the path bustles with many people in spring and during the autumn foliage
• ​A Canal Flowing from South to North​​: While the nearby Shirakawa River flows from north to south, the man-made canal flows from south to north. Genji fireflies inhabit the canal
• ​Nishida Kitaro's Poem Monument​​: Near Senshin-bashi Bridge stands a monument engraved with a poem by Nishida Kitaro: "Others are others, I am myself; in any case, I walk the path that I walk"

History and Highlights

The ​Philosopher's Path​ is a path of approximately 2 kilometers that runs along a branch line of the Lake Biwa Canal. The canal branch was completed in 1890 at the same time as the primary canal; it flows from Keage, passes over the Suirokaku Aqueduct at Nanzen-ji Temple, and continues to Jodoji-bashi Bridge at the Ginkakuji-michi intersection. Of this waterway, the path running alongside the canal from Nyakuoji-bashi Bridge to Jodoji-bashi Bridge is the Philosopher's Path. The canal branch was built to supply water power, irrigation water, and fire-fighting water along its route. While the nearby Shirakawa River flows from north to south, the man-made canal flows from south to north.

The name derives from the fact that Nishida Kitaro, a philosopher from Kyoto University, and others immersed themselves in thought along this path. The area is close to Kyoto University, and many scholars and cultural figures lived here in the past; names such as the "Path of Thought" and the "Philosopher's Lane" have also been handed down. In 1968, when the City of Kyoto proposed a plan to fill in the canal branch to build a road, local residents launched a movement to preserve the canal and its cherry tree rows. In 1969, they decided on the name "Philosopher's Path" and founded the Philosopher's Path Preservation Association. The present landscape was arranged through construction work in 1970. It is also selected among Japan's 100 Selected Roads.

Points for Appreciation and Experience

• ​Kansetsu Cherry Trees and Approximately 400 Cherry Trees​​: The rows of cherry trees began in 1922 when the Japanese painter Hashimoto Kansetsu and his wife Yone donated 300 Yoshino cherry trees, and they are called "Kansetsu Sakura." Today, about 400 cherry trees—centered on Yoshino cherry trees, along with Oshima cherry trees, double-flowered cherry trees, and weeping cherry trees—are planted, bustling with many people in spring and during the autumn foliage.
• ​A Canal Inhabited by Genji Fireflies​​: Genji fireflies inhabit the canal, and together with their habitat, they are designated as a Registered Monument of Kyoto City. Along the path, vegetation such as Japanese maple, azalea, hydrangea, and camellia are also planted.
• ​Nishida Kitaro's Poem Monument​​: Near Senshin-bashi Bridge, which leads to Honen-in Temple, stands a monument engraved with a poem by Nishida Kitaro: "Others are others, I am myself; in any case, I walk the path that I walk."

Walking Tips

You can begin walking from either the northern end near Ginkaku-ji Temple or the southern end near Kumano Nyakuoji-jinja Shrine. From the north, the city bus stop "Ginkakuji-michi" is convenient, while from the south, the city bus stop "Nanzenji Eikando-mae" or Keage Station on the subway Tozai Line is convenient. Nearby is also Otoyo-jinja Shrine, known as the "mouse shrine" of the Philosopher's Path. You can combine your stroll with visits to the temples and shrines of Higashiyama, walking south after visiting Ginkaku-ji Temple or Honen-in Temple, or heading north after visiting Nanzen-ji Temple or Eikando Zenrin-ji Temple.