The full Japan’s Next Top 100 Castles list, sorted by prefecture and visit progress. See which castles I’ve visited and access related blog posts.

A complete Japan’s Top 100 Castles list, organized by prefecture and visit status. Track my progress and find links to blog posts for each castle I’ve visited.

A complete 6-day Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route guide, detailing each stage with distances, elevation, accommodation, and an interactive map for pilgrims.

A complete 10-day Camino Portugués Coastal route overview, including daily distances, elevation, accommodation, and an interactive map of each stage.

A complete Camino Finisterre & Muxía route guide, including daily distances, elevation, accommodation, and interactive maps for each stage from Santiago to Finisterre, plus the optional Muxía extension.

A complete 33-day Camino Francés route overview, covering each day’s distances, elevation, accommodation, and an interactive stage map to guide pilgrims along the way.

Track my journey through all 88 temples of the Shikoku Henro pilgrimage. Explore temple details, locations, and insights from my personal visits.

A peaceful escape in Vancouver’s west side, Pacific Spirit Regional Park offers a relatively flat trail surrounded by lush coastal forest and ocean views. Perfect for an easy day hike, this 7.6 km loop takes you through shaded trails, Arcadia Beach, and interesting forest sights — ideal even if you’re recovering from an injury or want a gentle outdoor walk.

Challenging but rewarding, Mount Tanzawa in Kanagawa offers a full-day hike across three peaks with breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji. Covering 26 km with 1,859 m of elevation gain, this trail takes you through dense forests and open ridges — a perfect adventure for experienced hikers.

Explore the historic Yamanobe no Michi Trail in Nara, Japan — said to be the country’s oldest recorded road. This 16 km hike takes you through peaceful countryside, ancient temples, Shinto shrines, and quiet villages, offering a unique glimpse into Japan’s history and rural life.

Experience the annual Wakakusa Yamayaki Festival in Nara, Japan, where Mount Wakakusa is set ablaze in a breathtaking fire ritual. Explore temple grounds, local streets, and witness one of Japan’s most spectacular winter events.

I hiked Mt. Rokko from Higashi Otafukuyama, enjoying forest paths, a small river crossing, and panoramic views of Kobe and Osaka Bay. A perfect urban-adjacent retreat for a half-day adventure.

I set out for a short walk to Nunobiki Falls, but the trail tempted me higher — all the way up Mt. Maya. With nearly empty trails, steep forested climbs, and panoramic views of Kobe and Osaka Bay, the hike turned into an unexpected urban adventure. A rare moment of solitude at the summit reminded me that even in a bustling city, nature has its hidden surprises.

Hike the Kaze no Michi trail to Mt. Washu for scenic views of the Seto Inland Sea, historic railway remnants, and Kojima’s coastal charm.

A demanding day on the Shikoku Pilgrimage—starting from Konzoji and ending at Iyadaniji. From quiet temples and rabbit statues to steep climbs and cliffside legends, this route through Kagawa captures the heart of both nature and faith in Shikoku.

A peaceful yet rugged section of the Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage through Kagawa, visiting Negoroji, Shiromine, and Tennoji Temples. From forested mountain paths to local legends and quiet moments of reflection, this route blends history, faith, and the kindness of strangers along the trail.

A scenic and spiritual start to my Shikoku Henro journey—climbing Mt. Yashima from Takamatsu to visit Yashima Temple. With its mountain legends, Genpei War history, and views over the Seto Inland Sea, this short pilgrimage walk was both challenging and unforgettable.

Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu is a stunning Edo-period garden known for its ponds, teahouses, and views of Mt. Shiun. Even in winter, its calm beauty shines through. I explored its vast grounds, collected stamps, watched koi and ducks by the pond, and ended the visit with a small souvenir and a peaceful meal nearby.

Just behind Tokushima Station, the Tokushima Castle Ruins offer panoramic city views and a peaceful walk through historic grounds. I followed an unmarked trail to the hilltop, explored the ruins, and visited the Omotegoten Garden below — a National Historic Site since 1957 — before catching my train.

An overnight ferry from Tokyo to Tokushima became one of the calmest and most refreshing parts of my Japan trip. With an onboard onsen, quiet lounges, sunrise views over the water, and a full digital detox, the journey turned into the perfect break from constant movement. It’s a long ride, but one I’d happily take again.