The Philosophers' Path runs from Ginkaku-ji in
the North to the Heian Shrine in the South, along the side of a
small canal (more like a drainage ditch) at the foot of the Eastern
Hills (Higashiyama) of Kyoto. Although blighted somewhat by
the atrocious weather, not to mention the hideous tourist hordes
when I visited, I can see why this meandering walk is so popular.
For a start it is all on the level and it
is quite possible to stagger between hostelries at conveniently
short intervals, so an altogether easy walk. It is also
blessed by numerous tourist tat shops plus some quite interesting
craft efforts ranging from second hand kimonos and hand painted
jeans to samurai swords and the like. It even has some quite
pleasant bits of modern and traditional architecture at a domestic
scale which, when further enhanced by cherry blossom, become
irresistible photo opportunities...even in the rain. |