Philosopher’s Path is a stone path on a canal that skirts a residential neighborhood on the outer edge of the Higashiyama district.
My google research promised the path would be filled with adorable artisan shops and local restaurants perfect for a pit stop, all the while an easy on/off route to temple hopping.
Do you see shops in this picture? That’s because there are none.
This is really more like a lovers lane, and probably only during cherry blossom season. Take your shopping buddy elsewhere, save this one for your lover.
All in, Philosopher’s path can add up to a several hour detour. Make better use of your time by instead meandering the ancient shopping streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, as we recommended in a prior post.
Have you ever “shopped” on Philosopher’s Path Did you find any worthwhile shops we may have missed? Tell us about it in the comments!
Looking for more posts about Souvenir Shopping in Japan? You may want to read these next:
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Kyoto, Japan. Don’t slip on this Imperial era shopping street or you’ll be dead in 2 to 3 years.
Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan. The road to spiritual enlightenment is paved with shops.
Souvenir shopping Kyoto, Japan. Tourist Tat Alert Cute edition.
Guide to Souvenir shopping for made in Japan kimonos and yukatas: what to buy
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Souvenir shopping Kyoto, Japan. Yes, gift please.
Thanks to Linds for assistance with this post.