Daily Footsteps: Pace and Timings
Every journey is built on the steady rhythm of walking from morning until dusk. This category shares the “time and place” records from each of my 35 days on the trail—from departing at 6:30 AM to arriving at the day’s lodging. These logs are a simple reflection of the actual pace I maintained through the mountains and along the coast.
Rather than a strict benchmark for success, I hope these records serve as a helpful reference for your own planning. Whether you are estimating durations between temples or simply want to understand the daily physical reality of the 1,200km path, these notes offer a transparent look at one traveler’s footprints.
If you need to calculate specific distances or average durations, the ‘AI Navigator’ is here to assist you.
Probably I looked bit strange while I’m heading to Tokyo Haneda airport because of Kongo-zue I had with me. At the airport, I was wondering how it would be handled, then staff at the check-in counter kindly wrapped it. It seemed that they know what it is. I was bit surprised to myself, because I’m …
I woke up at 2:30… I could not sleep very well, maybe because I went to sleep early last night or maybe I’m excited… Last night, I asked the landlady if I can have a breakfast at 6:00 a.m. According to her, it is natural for walking pilgrims to have a breakfast early in the …
Today, it would be a long mountain climbing. The landlord kindly prepared rice balls for lunch, I also bought two bottles of green tee. In fact, I decided to leave a small drier. I brought it to dry shoes etc when it’s wet due to rain. However, I really want to make my backpack lighter. …
Even though WEEK Kamiyama is not intended for pilgrim, they kindly prepared breakfast faster than usual for me. And it was gentle taste and really good. I remembered that the women I talked a lot yesterday night, told me that she brew coffee from 7:30 at the old Japanese-style house near WEEK Kamiyama. So I …
Today, I’m looking forward to meeting one of my co-worker who has moved to Tokushima. We planned to meet at the restaurants where we can enjoy Awa Gibier for lunch. To be in time, let’s go out at 6:00, but it’s still dark outside. It’s about 13 Km from Tokushima station to No.18 Onzan-ji. It …
Even though I was offered a drive to No.20 Kakurin-ji, I asked the driver to bring me to the road station Hinano-sato Katsuura where I was picked up yesterday. Yes, I want to complete my pilgrimage on my foot, indeed. The driver told me that he is settler from Tokyo and it has passed 7 …
Every morning, I saw TV program, and noticed that they pick up topics regarding settlers who moved from large cities to Tokushima quite often (almost every morning). I guess population is aging and decreasing, and it has become serious problems…Mobility service might be one of key attribute to solve some pain points around this problem, …
Yesterday, I was wondering if I should change my plan because the condition of my left knees has been getting worse and worse. In addition, I got a blister on my right heel probably because I’m walking in awkward position due to pain on my knee. In the end, I appreciated my old friend’s osettai …
The landlady clang the ring from the downstairs every time when something (dinner, bath, breakfast) is ready for me. And it was always 20 minutes earlier than planned time. She said she’s impatient, but I feel it comes from her kindness for pilgrims. She also kindly prepared a lunch box for me for a long …
Crossing the Nahari River into Tano Town, I find myself in a series of picturesque streets like the one I saw in Kiragawa town yesterday. Considering the condition of my knee and the blister on my feet, I left a little early today and decided to walk slowly. Time Place 07:30 Departure (D): The Hotel …
On the way to No.28 Dainichi-ji, I passed through a town called Akaoka. There’s the Benten-za theatre, which seems to be used for various purpose by local resident (I think it’s originally Kabuki theater). In front of this Benten-za, there’s Ekingura museum where you can see Ekin’s art (unfortunately, it was too early in the …
I got a taxi ride to Chikurin-ji where I finished the route yesterday and started from there in the beautiful pinkish morning glow. Time Place 06:20 Departure (D): Richmond Hotel Kochi 06:40 Arrival (A): Chikurin-ji bus station (by taxi) 06:40 D: Walk to No.32 Zenjibu-ji 08:10 A: No.32 Zenjibu-ji 08:40 D: Walk to No.32 Sekkei-ji …