Philosopher’s Path

The information about Philosopher’s Path is presented here. Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku-no-Michi) is located in the northeast direction when viewed from Kyoto Station, with Ginkakuji Temple near the northern end and Eikan-do Temple near the southern end. Philosopher’s Path is about 1.8 kilometers long and lined with cherry blossom trees, making it one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto. Philosopher’s Path is not only popular with Japanese tourists, but also with foreign tourists, as it is a free cherry blossom viewing spot. Since many tourists visit Philosopher’s Path when the cherry blossoms are at their best, the best time to see the cherry blossoms is in the morning when there are fewer tourists.

• Spot Location Map ＆ Directions
• Spot Brief Overview
• Spot Flower Calendar

【Philosopher’s Path Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: Shishigatani, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
★Access to the north end (How to get there): Ginkakuji-mae bus stop (about 2 minutes on foot), Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (about 5 minutes on foot), Keihan Demachiyanagi Station (about 28 minutes on foot)
★Access to the south end (How to get there): Nanzenji Eikando-michi bus stop (about 10 minutes on foot), Higashi Tenno-cho bus stop bus stop (about 10 minutes on foot), Miyanomae-cho bus stop bus stop (about 7 minutes on foot), Subway Keage Station (about 20 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 24 hours (Philosopher’s Path is not downtown, there are not many street lights, and not many people walking at night.)
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Philosopher’s Path is free

【Philosopher’s Path Brief Overview】

Philosopher’s Path (Philosopher’s Walk, Philosopher’s Road, Tetsugaku-no-Michi, 哲学の道) is an about 1.8-kilometer-long path along Biwako Sosui branch line that connects Jodoji Bridge (the northern end) near the Ginkakuji-michi intersection and Wakaoji Bridge (the southern end) near Wakaoji Shrine. Biwako Sosui was planned by Kitagaki Kunimichi, governor of Kyoto Prefecture, as part of Kyoto’s modernization policy. The 1st Biwako Sosui, which connected Mihogasaki in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture to Kamo-gawa River and Biwako Sosui branch line, which branched off at Keage were completed in 1890, and the 2nd Biwako Sosui was completed in 1912. The Philosopher’s Path originated as a road for the administration of Biwako Sosui branch line, which was completed in 1890. In Meiji period (1868-1912), many literary people lived around Philosopher’s Path, so it came to be called the “Bunjin-no-michi” and later philosophers Nishida Kitaro and Tanabe Hajime began to walk it, so it came to be called “Tetsugaku-no-Komichi”, “Sansaku-no-Michi”, “Shisaku-no-Michi” and “Sosui-no-Komichi”, and etc. In 1921, the Japanese-style painter Hashimoto Kansetsu and his wife Yone donated 300 Somei-Yoshino saplings, which were planted from near the Jodoji Bridge to near the Senshin Bridge. Later, in 1932, they again donated another 150 Somei-Yoshino saplings. Incidentally, Hashimoto Kansetsu and Yone, who resides in front of Ginkaku-ji Temple, near the northern end of the Philosopher’s Path, donated cherry trees as a way of repaying a favor to Kyoto. It is said that the donation and planting of the cherry trees was Yone’s idea. The cherry trees along Philosopher’s Path are called “Kansetsu-zakura” in honor of Hashimoto Kansetsu. However, Somei-Yoshino do not have the longevity of other cherry tree varieties, and Somei-Yoshino donated by Kansetsu and Yone, either ran out of life or began to age. And then Sano Toemon, known as Sakura-mori, replanted the cherry trees. At present, about 430 cherry trees have been planted, including Somei-Yoshino, Yama-zakura, Oshima-zakura, Sato-zakura, and Yae-zakura. In order to preserve Kansetsu-zakura for future generations, they are also working to increase the number of cloned saplings by grafting. In 1972, the movement to preserve Biwako Sosui branch line began, and the path became known as “Philosopher’s Path,” and in 1972, a gravel path was developed as a walking path. The Philosopher’s Path is the only path in Kyoto to be selected as one of the “100 Best Paths in Japan”.
★Hashimoto Kansetsu was born on 1883 in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.　From 1895, he studied the Shijo school under the Japanese painter Kataoka Koko, and from 1903, he studied under the Japanese painter Takeuchi Seiho. In 1913 and 1914, he won the second prize at the Bunten exhibition, and in 1916 and 1917, he won a special selection at the Bunten exhibition. Hashimoto Kansetsu established a painting style that added techniques such as Nanga to the painting style of the Shijo school, a Kyoto art world founded by Gosyun (Matsumura Gekkei). By the way, it is said that the reclamation of Hashimoto Kansetsu’s residence, Hakusasonso, began around 1914, and the main house part and the painting room part were completed in 1916, the tea room part in 1932, and the western part of the garden in 1938. After that, Hashimoto Kansetsu Memorial Hall was opened in 2014, and the 1st floor exhibiting and displaying Hashimoto Kansetsu’s works and collected items, and the 2nd floor, which is equipped with a viewing terrace, exhibiting and displaying works by contemporary artists from home and abroad.
*reference・・・Philosopher’s Path website

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is around early April. About 430 cherry trees, including Somei-Yoshino, Yama-zakura, Oshima-zakura, Sato-zakura, and Yae-zakura, are planted along Philosopher’s Path. It is said to be a beautiful sight with the rows of cherry trees, a path selected as one of the “100 Best Paths in Japan” and Biwako Sosui branch line.
★The best time to see hydrangeas is around from mid-June to early July. Hydrangeas are distributed in various places such as around Ginkakuji-so and Otoyo Shrine, and bloom in purple, blue, pink, and other colors.
★The best time to see the autumn leaves is around mid-November. Japanese maples and cherry blossoms are distributed along Philosopher’s Path. You can enjoy the autumn leaves while walking along the path.

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-75-213-1717（Kyoto City Tourism Association）

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Philosopher’s Path is to go south, via Eikan-do Temple (Zenrin-ji Temple), to Nanzen-ji Temple. Like Philosopher’s Path, Nanzen-ji Temple is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. Nanzen-ji Temple has the popular Suiro-kaku (Waterway Pavilion) and San-mon Gate, which can be climbed.

【Remarks（access, parking, disclaimer, etc）】

If you plan to visit Philosopher’s Path, be sure to check the latest information.