So one day I went for a walk...

One of my goals on this hike is to visit many temples and shrines along my route. In part to simply observe their beauty and appreciate the culture, but also to participate in a small way by praying and collecting Goshuin (temple stamps). My first stop of many to this end was at Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine, the largest shrine in Osaka. This is where you must cleanse yourself before entering the shrine grounds. Sumiyoshi Taisha is noteworthy not only for it's size, but also it's iconic and magnificent bridge leading up to the main shrine ground: The water is brimming with turtles and koei . Most shrines and temples have a small office where you can purchase a book to collect your Goshuin in, called a Goshuin-cho. Larger shrines and temples will have goshuin-cho that are unique to their grounds. I am very pleased that I was able to explore these grounds, pray here and then receive my first Goshuin! I am looking forward to collecting many more along m...

I've done a bit of reading and preparing for this trip ahead of time. One understandably important topic has been 'how to feed myself'. Much of my reading has lead me to understand that 7-11 in Japan is source of good, high quality food.  Until this morning I was skeptical, as 7-11 food in North America is at best a crapshoot and at worst, well... But this morning I ventured back to the local 7-11 armed with my research and a small recon trip last night after dinner. Here is what I picked out: "Tuna and mayonnaise" "Spicy rice" "Egg salad" Now I will admit that I had seen a lot of talk (read: ecstatic raving) the egg salad sandwiches from Japanese 7-11 from other travellers online.  So where that sandwich would have been an 'avoid at all costs' item back in north America for fear of food poisoning, I looked for it specifically. But more on that later. I am getting ahead of myself. The first item, tuna and mayo, turn...

After braving the trains from Kansai airport, it was a short walk to my hostel (wonderfully named the "Banana Hammock") for the first night. I arrived just after the sun had set, and was the last to check in for the night. I sat with the owner in the front room and we went through the check in process while we chatted.  He asked if I was only in Japan for one night, as I was checking out in the morning. I explained that I was here for 3 months, and that I was hiking to Tokyo. The look on his face morphed rapidly from confusion to disbelief to astonishment in rapid succession. "That will be 600km, and you are going to... walk??" "Well, actually my route is about 1000km, but what better way to see Japan, right?" I replied. His hand shot out and shook mine, a gesture I was not expecting in Japan. I am really begining to understand that what seems like an exciting (if not daunting) adventure to me borders on lunacy to most people I discuss it with....

I knew that no matter how hard I worked on planning for this trip I was bound to miss some detail and have to start adapting, I just didn't expect it to bite me in the ass 5 minutes after clearing customs! 😂 Landing was smooth and uneventful.  Osaka's Kansai International airport rests on a man-made island in the bay, which makes it incredibly cool by that fact alone. I was concerned about customs.  Had I do e my research correctly? Would they infact issue me a 90 day visa on my Canadian passport as I expected? Would I even understand what to do?? But all those fear evaporated.  I had many helpful staff making sure I was in the right place and doing the right thing. I arrived at the customs officer's desk and we chatted about my stay.  I explained why I was here; that I was hiking to Tokyo. His eyes widened in disbelief.   He was concerned about the length of stay I had written on the customs slip. I showed him my departing f...