Philosopher's Path
Ginkakuji, Kyoto
A stone path that follows a branch of the Lake Biwa Canal for about 1.8 km, from near Nyakuoji Bridge in the south to Ginkaku-ji in the north. It's named after Kitaro Nishida, the Kyoto University philosopher who's said to have walked here deep in thought. In 1922 the painter Hashimoto Kansetsu gave 360 cherry trees for the banks, which is why they're known as Kansetsu's cherry trees.
More photos of Philosopher's Path
Insider tip
It takes about 30 minutes at an easy pace. Start at Ginkaku-ji and walk south, and you'll finish about 15 minutes on foot from Keage Station on the Tozai Line. Go early in the morning, before the crowds. In spring the cherries flower along the canal, and after they fall the petals drift on the water in rafts.
What the guides say about Philosopher's Path
7. Ginkaku-ji and the Philosopher's Path. Ginkaku-ji opens at 8:30 (9:00 from December to February) and has cost ¥1,000 since April 2026. Then walk south on the path, about 1.8 km of stone beside a branch of the Lake Biwa Canal, roughly 30 minutes at an easy pace. Turn off for Honen-in, free from 6:00, where you walk in between two mounds of white sand.
What's on near Philosopher's Path
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Philosopher's Path, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Honen-in Erhu Concert vol.7 by Kusuda Nahoko
楠田名保子 法然院・二胡コンサートvol.7『祈韻包心』
Time 18:00 (doors 17:30), ends about 19:30 Station Jodoji bus stop (City Bus 5), about 10 min walk, or Minamida-cho (City Bus 32), 5 min walk
Erhu concert in the main hall with a capacity of 80, first come first served.
Tetsuhiro Terada, CC BY 2.0 Honen-in Small Bonsai Exhibition (Hiroki-ten)
第21回「広樹展」小品盆栽 in 法然院
Time 10:00 to 16:00 Station City Bus 5 to Jodoji, about 10 min walk; or City Bus 32 to Minamida-cho, 5 min walk
A two-day show of small bonsai in the Hojo hall, free to view.
Tetsuhiro Terada, CC BY 2.0 Honen-in Faust (Gekko Parade touring theatre)
ゲッコーパレード出張公演 家を渉る劇vol.7『法然院ファウスト』
Time 18:00 (doors 17:30) Station City bus stops Minamida-cho or Jodoji, 5 to 10 min walk
Five performances of a staged Goethe Faust inside the Honen-in temple, about 75 minutes each. No show on 7 November.
Tetsuhiro Terada, CC BY 2.0 Ginkaku-ji Autumn Special Opening of the Togudo
銀閣寺 秋の特別公開 国宝 東求堂
Time Guided visits at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30 (about 30 minutes) Station Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (City Bus 5, 7), 10 min walk
Ginkaku-ji opens its main hall and the National Treasure Togudo, whose four-and-a-half-mat study, Dojinsai, is where tea, flower and incense culture took shape, on guided visits of about 20 people, in Japanese only. Sign the sheet in front of the main hall about an hour before your slot. It's ¥2,000 on top of regular admission.
Reginald Pentinio, CC BY 2.0 Ginkaku-ji Spring Special Viewing of the Togudo
銀閣寺 春の特別拝観 国宝東求堂
Time Tours at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30 Station Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (City Bus 5, 7, 203)
A guided 30-minute visit inside the main hall and the Togudo, whose four-and-a-half-mat study, Dojinsai, is seen as the starting point of tea, flower arranging and incense. Groups are capped and you can't take photos.
Reginald Pentinio, CC BY 2.0 Smaller local events nearby
Zenkizan Nenbutsu-e at Honen-in Performance
Mon 26 Oct, Thu 26 Nov · Honen-in, Ginkakuji
Monthly gathering at 15:00 on the 26th, except December.
Map · Source: Honen-in · 善気山念佛会
New Year's Eve Service (Joya-e) at Honen-in Festival
Thu 31 Dec · Honen-in, Ginkakuji
Year-end service on 31 December open to all worshippers.
Map · Source: Honen-in · 除夜会
Nearby
Around Ginkakuji
Temple gardens along a canal path, under the Daimonji hill
Get to Ginkaku-ji for its 8:30 opening, because the temple fills up as the day goes on. Then walk south on the Philosopher's Path, about 1.8 km of stone path beside a branch of the Lake Biwa Canal, and turn off it for the temples on either side. Honen-in's grounds open at 6:00, and you don't pay to go in.
Ginkakuji has 15 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 7 shrines and temples, 2 museums, 2 restaurants, 1 viewpoint, 1 shop, 1 neighbourhood and 1 bathhouse. Read the Ginkakuji guide.
Good to know
- How do I get to Philosopher's Path?
- The nearest station is Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (City Bus 5, 7, 32, 102, 203, 204). Philosopher's Path is in Ginkakuji, Kyoto.
- How much does Philosopher's Path cost?
- Nothing. Philosopher's Path is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Philosopher's Path?
- Plan for 45 min.
- When is the best time to visit Philosopher's Path?
- Early morning.
Stay near Philosopher's Path
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