Philosopher’s Walk

Tetsugakunomichi ou la promenade du philosophe en français est un canal au nord est de Kyoto. On le trouve en sortant du merveilleux temple d’argent (Ginkaku-​ji). Le canal est bordé de centaines de cerisier.
La promenade du philosophe fut nommé ainsi à cause de Nishida Kitaro, un très grand philosophe japonais qui racontait qu’il méditait en marchant le long du canal pour aller à l’université de Kyoto.
Et on comprend le maître Nishida, comment né pas méditer devant un tel spectacle? C’est juste épiqué. De fin mars à début avril, les cerisiers explosent de couleur. C’est magique… Du rose, du blanc, du fushia, c’est incroyable ! Rien qu’une balade dans la philosopher path et vous avez l’impression d’avoir rentabilisé votre voyage au Japon !
Le canal croise de nombreux temples dont le temple Honen-​in, l’un des temples les plus appréciés des locaux (peu de touristes et en plus il est gratuit !). En arrivant au bout du canal, on se retrouve face au magestueux Eikan-​dō Zenrin-​ji. Un sanctuaire à né surtout pas louper !

One of the nice spots for Cherry Blossoms viewing in Kyoto.
Unfortunate though since it has gain too much popularity, it’s overcrowded during Spring when the Sakura are blooming.
In Summer though, it’s soo green and lesser tourist of course but be careful of the worms from the trees. They tend to be the itchy ones.
There are several cafes and souvenir shops along the river and lots of cats near one the temple.
It’s a nice place to take a walk from Ginkakuji to Nanzenji or vice versa.

Actual rating 3.5
The Philosopher’s Path is named because a famous Japanese philosopher and Kyoto University professor Nishida Kitaro used this path for daily mediation. Apparently other people aside from tourists have been using this path for their daily runs. It runs 1.7 miles/​2km with the northern terminus being the start of the path to Ginkaku-​ji (Silver Pavillon) and the actual southern terminus being shy of the entrance to Eikan-​do, though most people take the extended path and go past the residential areas to Nanzen-​ji.
Estimated time to walk entire path is supposed to be 30 minutes if you’re going from one terminus to another on a brisk pace but this path is supposed to be a leisurely stroll so at least double the time. It also helps that there are little shops, cafes, restaurants and even some shrines and temples that are along this path.
Since I visited during the middle of June, the scenery wasn’t as good as if I had come during cherry blossom viewing (sometime in April), later in the summer during the evening (where the fireflies come out) or in the fall (beautiful foliage display). Still there were more trees present here than a lot of areas back in San Diego.
Random observations
— The path runs parallel to the canal and a few koi are swimming in the canal. Note that in some parts there is no physical barrier that separates the person from the water so should the worst happen expect a broken limb.
— There’s a cute pottery shop somewhere along the path that you can make your own cup or bowl. They also ship overseas.
— Somewhere near the entrance to Nyakuoji Shrine is an area where the feral cats roam. There are people that actually bring food to said cats.
— Jizo Buddha statues meant for the protection of children and travelers.
Though a recommended walk it is best to combine this walk with temples in between the path or the two main temples that flank the terminuses, Ginkaku-​ji and Nanzen-​ji.

this is a very pretty walk and quite relaxing. i loved wandering down it and venturing to the different shrines and shops. i would imagine the beauty of this walk is magnified in the spring with the cherry blossoms, or in late autumn with the changing leaves. we went before the leaves were really changing, but it was very pretty nonetheless. glad we didn’t miss it on our short stay in kyoto!

Note that I went in the winter in February. There were no cherry blossoms, no flowers, and cold weather. However, after walking down the path 1 hour, I decided to derail from the path and went to the main area to grab a taxi to another destination.
You’re walking along a stream of water the whole time with nothing to see. It’s an interesting walk at first, but then you realize that there is just nothing to see. You get a glimpse at how the Kyoto houses away from the city, and that’s about it.
This is not a must do in Kyoto, IMHO. We ended up just leaving to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, which was significantly better.

Otro de los lugares que más me gustan de Kioto es el Paseo de los Filósofos. Al salir del Ginkaku-​ji, es posible darse una vuelta considerablemente larga por este canal poblado de cerezos.
Los cambios de estaciones son especialmente memorables en este lugar que, por su nombre, incita a pensar, aunque en mi caso sólo pude admirar el paraje y la decreciente cantidad de gente a medida que nos adentrábamos en la foresta.
Mientras alguna carpa nada en las aguas cristalinas, es posible sentarse en un banco, tomar un café o simplemente disfrutar del barrio en tu camino hacia otras zonas más animadas. En primavera el estallido de los sakura te deja con la boca abierta o, al menos, con cierta sonrisa bobalicona. De cualquier modo, se considera también un lugar romántico en cualquier época y, sobretodo, tranquilo. Por la noche no es tan recomendable, dado lo solitario del sitio y su escasa iluminación. A parte de esto, lo recomiendo con fuerza.

This «Path of Philosophy» walk follows a small stream lined with cherry blossom trees from Ginkaku-​ji Temple to Nanzen-​ji Temple. The walk can be done in 25 – 30 min without stopping, but it’s meant to be a pleasant, relaxing stroll.
So.
We took about an hour (and then some) to walk, pray, reflect, philosophize, view the fish, take photos, and visit the local shops along the way. The whole experience felt «very Kyoto»; the foliage green, the walk relaxing, the scenery beautiful, the path frequented with temples or shrines, the fish swimming, and some people in kimonos. :)
It’s a great way to spend 1 – 2 hours in Kyoto. I’d recommend visiting Ginkaku-​ji Temple in the morning at the northern end, having lunch, then walking off the calories as you head south to Nanzen-​ji Temple. From there, you can continue walking or hail a cab to continue heading back towards the center of town.
(Note: The 1 – 2 hours does not include time exploring the temples on either end.)

I like to walk this Philosopher’s path when the cherry blossom is scattering. Also during summer, I like to walk here in early morning, before it gets extremely hot.
There are several points to go like the silver temple, Honenin, Eikando, and other temples. When you start walking near the Ginkakuji (Silver temple) there will be a lot of people walking so if you want to enjoy the path with less people, it might be better to start near the Nyakuoji-​shrine.
Near the Nyakuoji-​shrine of the path, there is a place that you will see a lot of cats gathering. I don’t know why they are there, but there is a point where you will see a bunch of cats. If you like cats, this is one place to see them.

The reason why this narrow trail was called the Path of Philosophy is that a well-​known philosopher, Kitarou Nishida often had been indulged in pondering while taking a walk along this pathway.
The route is approximately from the Nyakuoji shrine to the Ginkakuji temple (about 1.5km long). A creek flows along the pathway, and in spring cherry-​blossoms standing alongside the both banks make pink tunnel, which seems brilliant, elegant and tasteful.
Fashionable cafes (Japanese or Western) or variety shops of Kyoto taste also stand nearby. So you can peep in or drop in the cafes or shops. Every season has its own taste, snowfalls in winter, autumn leaves in fall, or fireflies in late spring or early summer. Everything is perfect!!!
Attention: Be careful of mosquito during summer season!