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			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.  |