Explore peaceful walkway at Philosopher's Path
Kyoto, Japan • 
Must Do
Must Do
Best months to visit
Apr, Nov
9°C – 20°C, mild and pleasant; cherry blossoms in full bloom, occasional showers, high crowds, peak season
9°C – 20°C, mild and pleasant; cherry blossoms in full bloom, occasional showers, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
The path is mostly flat and paved, making it accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Benches are available along the route.
The path is mostly flat and paved, making it accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Benches are available along the route.
Value for money
High
Free access, beautiful scenery, and a romantic experience.
Free access, beautiful scenery, and a romantic experience.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Romantic Stroll
Couples found the path perfect for a peaceful, scenic walk. Very romantic and serene!
Beautiful Scenery
The cherry blossoms made for stunning photos and a lovely, shared experience for couples.
Tranquil Escape
Couples appreciated the quiet atmosphere, a welcome break from city bustle.
Too Crowded
Couples reported the path packed during peak season, making it hard to enjoy.
Uneven Path
Some couples found the stone path difficult to navigate, especially in some areas.
Limited Access
Couples noted few accessible restrooms and limited cafe options along the way.
How to book
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GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
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KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
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BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
A traveler marvels at the autumnal beauty of the Philosopher's Path.
Tourists embark on an adventure along the enchanting Philosopher's Path.
Embark on an enlightening stroll along the Philosopher's Path.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
LOW
2-12°C
December is early winter, with cool to cold temperatures and low precipitation. The path is peaceful, though most leaves have fallen.
December is early winter, with cool to cold temperatures and low precipitation. The path is peaceful, though most leaves have fallen.
Open
No restrictions; the path is open year-round, though some cafes may have shorter winter hours.
No restrictions; the path is open year-round, though some cafes may have shorter winter hours.
Recommended
December offers a quiet, contemplative atmosphere along the Philosopher’s Path, with few tourists and bare trees.
December offers a quiet, contemplative atmosphere along the Philosopher’s Path, with few tourists and bare trees.
January
LOW
1-9°C
Cold and occasionally rainy or snowy; trees are bare, and scenery is subdued.
Cold and occasionally rainy or snowy; trees are bare, and scenery is subdued.
Open
No seasonal closures; open to the public at all times. Some cafes and shops may have shorter hours or be closed for winter holidays.
No seasonal closures; open to the public at all times. Some cafes and shops may have shorter hours or be closed for winter holidays.
Not recommended
January is off-season for the Philosopher's Path. While the path remains accessible and peaceful, the landscape is wintry and less scenic, with limited business activity along the route.
January is off-season for the Philosopher's Path. While the path remains accessible and peaceful, the landscape is wintry and less scenic, with limited business activity along the route.
February
LOW
2-10°C
Cold with occasional rainfall; early signs of plum blossoms but cherry trees are still bare.
Cold with occasional rainfall; early signs of plum blossoms but cherry trees are still bare.
Open
Path is open; some small shops or cafes may have irregular winter schedules.
Path is open; some small shops or cafes may have irregular winter schedules.
Not recommended
February is still winter in Kyoto. The Philosopher's Path is quiet and calm, but there are few floral highlights or special events.
February is still winter in Kyoto. The Philosopher's Path is quiet and calm, but there are few floral highlights or special events.
March
MEDIUM
4-14°C
Cool and gradually warming; increasing chance of rain, with early cherry blossoms beginning near the end of the month.
Cool and gradually warming; increasing chance of rain, with early cherry blossoms beginning near the end of the month.
Open
Open to the public; all transport and businesses operate as usual.
Open to the public; all transport and businesses operate as usual.
Recommended
March marks the beginning of spring, and the Philosopher's Path becomes more scenic as cherry blossoms start to bloom in the latter half of the month. It's a good time for a visit before the peak crowds.
March marks the beginning of spring, and the Philosopher's Path becomes more scenic as cherry blossoms start to bloom in the latter half of the month. It's a good time for a visit before the peak crowds.
How to get there
Bus
Recommended
Kyoto City Buses (5, 17, 32, 93, 100, 204) provide access to the path. From Kyoto Station, take bus numbers 5 or 17 to Ginkakuji-michi, Raku Bus 100 to Ginkakuji-mae, or bus 32 to Miyanomaechō.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis offer direct access to either end of the Philosopher's Path from various locations in Kyoto.
Walking
Recommended
Walking is ideal for those staying in Higashiyama. The path can be accessed on foot from Keage Station (15-20 min walk) or by exploring the surrounding area.
Bike
Cycling is a pleasant option, with bike rental shops available throughout Kyoto. The path itself is bike-friendly, though crowded during peak season.
Car
Driving is possible, but not recommended due to traffic and limited parking. Paid parking is available near Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji.
Metro
The Tozai Line's Keage Station is a 15-20 minute walk from the southern end of the path. From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Line to Karasuma Oike Station, then transfer to the Tozai Line.
Train
While no JR stations are immediately adjacent, JR Yamashina Station connects to the subway, providing access to Keage Station.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required