Basic Information
Description
This path got its name because philosophers of the Kyoto School, such as Nishida Kitaro and Tanabe Hajime, used to stroll along it. During cherry blossom season, the trees lining the path burst into full bloom and it's truly wonderful — but each season has its own charm. If you're heading to Ginkaku-ji, I really recommend walking all the way to Nanzen-ji. During cherry blossom season, push even further to the Incline — it becomes a tunnel of cherry blossoms.
If you cross Shirakawa-dori from the Ginkaku-ji end and keep following the canal northward, there are hardly any people and it makes for a nice, casual stroll. Similarly, the canal path near Shimogamo is also beautiful during cherry blossom season.
If you're wondering what kind of "philosophy" was done on the Philosopher's Path, I've also posted an excerpt from Nishida Kitaro's "An Inquiry into the Good" — one of the thinkers who gave the path its name.