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Philosopher's Walk

The Philosopher's Walk (Tetsugaku-no-michi, lit. Path of Philosophy) is a pedestrian path that follows a cherry-tree-lined canal in Kyoto, Japan between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji.

The route is so-named because two 20th-century Japanese philosophers and Kyoto University professors Nishida Kitaro and Hajime Tanabe are thought to have used it for daily exercise.

The path passes a number of temples and shrines such as Honen-in, Otoyo Shrine, and Eikan-do Zenrin-ji.

It takes about 30 minutes to complete the walk, although many people spend more time visiting the sights along the way.

Philosopher's Walk map.
First opened in 1890 and extended again in 1912, the path follows the course of a shallow irrigation channel bringing water from the Lake Biwa Canal.


Jodoji Kamiminamidacho Jizoson.
Jizo-sama (Ojizo-san) is enshrined in various places in Kyoto, not just the Philosopher's Path.


Bougatei Novelty store.

Sagan Coffee shop.

Pottery store.

Cafe Cherry.

Daitoyo Bridge.
Bridge towards Otoyo Shrine (Otoyo Jinja).


First torii gate (Ichinotorii).
First torii gate of Otoyo Shrine (Otoyo Jinja).


Shishigatani St. map.
Map on the way to Nanzen-ji Temple.


Nanzen-ji Temple

Great Jakumon Gate (Daijaku-mon).

Sanmon Gate seen from the south.
The temple's Sanmon gate was originally constructed in the 13th century, destroyed in 1369 at the order of the government, and reconstructed in 1628.

  • The gate contains stairs to an elevated viewing area, which was the setting for a famous scene in the 1778 Kabuki play Sanmon Gosan no Kiri inspired by the story of the criminal Ishikawa Goemon who is said to have spoken of the beauty of the view (but who was executed prior to the construction of the current gate).

Sanmon Gate seen from the west.

Sanmon Gate seen from the east.

Stone lantern (Toro).
Stone lanterns (Chinese: denglong; Japanese: toro, meaning 'light basket', 'light tower') are a type of traditional East Asian lantern made of stone, wood, or metal.

  • Originating in China, stone lanterns spread to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, though they are most commonly found in both China – extant in Buddhist temples and traditional Chinese gardens – and Japan.
  • In Japan, toro were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths. Lit lanterns were then considered an offering to Buddha.
  • Their use in Shinto shrines and also private homes started during the Heian period (794–1185).
  • See more at Stone lantern - Wikipedia.

Nanzen-ji Hatto.
Nanzen-ji, or Zuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerly Zenrin-ji, is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan.

  • Emperor Kameyama established it in 1291 on the site of his previous detached palace.
  • It is also the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen.
  • See more at Nanzen-ji - Wikipedia.

See also

Source

Location

Location: Tetsugaku No Michi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan