Philosopher’s Path

Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto
哲学の道(京都)

Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道) is the path that runs along the Biwako canal, very popular with both domestic and overseas visitors.


Along the path there’re hundreds of cherry trees originally donated by a wife of Japanese painter Hashimoto Kansetsu and are called Kansetsu sakura (Kansetsu cherry trees): the present trees are not original ones which were planted nearly 100 years ago and they are carefully looked after and bloom every sakura season.


It’s easy to imagine how stunningly beautiful they must be in the cherry blossom season but I’ve never visited at that time myself. I don’t dare jump into the crowds. I may try to visit there at dusk next time.


The path is named after a philosophy professor Nishida Kitaro walked it regularly, hence its name which became officially adopted in 1972.

a special open week of Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto
京都御所一般参観(京都)

Kyoto Imperial Palace(京都御所),open to the public on weekdays,
needs pre-enrolment on a guided tour
run by the Imperial Household Agency’s staff.

There is an special open week in both spring and autumn
when it isn’t necessary to join an official guided tour.



This is Shishinden (紫宸殿), the hall for official ceremonies
and where the Imperial Throne is placed.



There is a cherry tree on the right and a citrus tree on the left,
you may see the same layout at Heian shrine
which was built as a smaller scale replica of the original Heian Palace.



In front of Shishinden is an open space
of raked pebbles enclosed by a cloister.
The view reminds me of Nara rather than Kyoto.

This garden is located in front of
Kogosho, court room, called Oike-niwa.


This is what I wanted to see more than the structures. Stones, suppose to be a beach in the garden, in the foreground of the picture are smooth and oval shaped like a bars of soap and which are a glossy pitch black in the rain. That’s what I saw in a book and I would have loved to see them like that. It wasn’t the perfect day for me, a bright, sunny and dry day which didn’t show off the rich colours of the garden.

You can’t have everything.

This particular open week there is an additional attraction,
in commemoration of the Emperor’s golden wedding anniversary,
the Empress’ residence and its garden,
not normally open to the public, can be viewed.



It is smaller scale than the Oike-niwa garden,
and it has a cosier atmosphere
with scarlet azalea bushes making it more colourful.

a day at the Noh theatre

The first time I ever saw a Noh play
was a workshop at my high school.
I slept soundly throughout.


I was given a ticket for a performance recently
and it was outstandingly beautiful,
my eyes were wide opened during the entire performance.


I like Noh plays now.

probably the last sakura

Sakura in the town

Where the sakura bloom, people gather.
Japanese are crazy about
sakura and momizi maple trees.



Under sakura trees, people party hard!