Personal travel impressions in stories and pictures from Path of Philosophy, Kyoto, Japan. Click on the pictures to enlarge, send as a free e-card, or download for personal use. You can locate Path of Philosophy and navigate the world using Google Earth
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N 35° 1.427 E 135° 47.795
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Kamakura
Narita-san Shinsho-ji temple
Nakasendo
Tsumago
Zenko-ji Temple
Snow monkeys
Sumida river walk
Imperial Gardens
Sumo wrestling
Harajuku Cosplay
Nishi Shinjuku architecture
Capsule Hotel
Tsukiji Central Fish Market
Daisetsuzan National Park
Sounkyo Canyon
Sapporo Dome
Sapporo Art Park
Onsen
Japanese people
Shakotan National Park
Tokyo Subway
Niseko Skiing
Sapporo Snowfestival
Mount Fuji
Hiroshima
Miyajima
Visited: December 2002
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Kyoto is full of sights and one of the cities in Japan meriting a longer visit. Out of many things to see, I selected a walk on an alley running along a canal on the eastern side of the city, called Path of Philosophy by scholars. It not only leads through quiet neighbourhoods, but also allows for visits of several temples along the way. At the end, it runs into the central area of Kyoto.
I first visited the Ginkakuji Temple on the northern side of the path. This Zen temple was established in 1482, according to the Japanese it marked the beginning of modern Japanese life. More than just a temple, this is a complex, including a garden, pond, artificial landscape and several temple buildings. First thing you notice as you leave the path behind high hedges, is the Fuji-like minitiature mountain, part of a carefully created artificial landscape. It is part of the garden and the pond, on which several temple buildings are located. Especially the white sand representing waves and a mountain are peculiar in their precise patterns.
Walking further south, you come across several temples, Honen-in and Anrakuji, before reaching Eikando Temple at the end. This complex is built against a hill, and the several buildings are linked by a boardwalk. The temple was founded in 855. Its main attraction is the Mikaeri-no-Amida, or Amida Buddha looking back over his shoulder. Also here, there is a little pond and a garden down below, there is another temple towering above the complex because it is located on a higher part of the hill. 
