A YAMAP activity log records November 11, 2026, as day 8 of a walk from Okazaki Castle toward Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture. The author writes that they left a company after 32 years at age 50 and, now 52, are making the journey on foot.
The day’s activity data list 40.6 km, a time of 11 hours 57 minutes, 1 hour 7 minutes of rest, 78 m of ascent and 119 m of descent. A course constant is described as calculated from a standard time of 12:48 and marked “tough” at 35. The same log includes the times 07:13 and 19:11. No average pace figure is given.
The author says the day was apparently about 5°C warmer than the day before. Because they have been walking every day, they write that they did not feel cold in summer clothes during the daytime.
Morning at To-ji
They visited To-ji early and say they could look around relatively unhurriedly. Photography was not allowed inside the hall. They describe a Buddha figure they saw there as strikingly impressive, but say they have forgotten its name. They also note the five-story pagoda and write that it is remarkable that craftspeople of the past built such a structure and that it remains after so many years.
A café stop that ran long
They went into a local café that caught their eye for breakfast, planning to set off again immediately. Conversation with the proprietor lasted about 40 minutes, covering the walking trip and how Kyoto has changed over time. As usual, they took a photo of their feet and used a set line: that taking the photo of their legs means the other person has walked with them to Izumo Taisha, so they will go and pay their respects. They say the proprietor was pleased, and that the Kyoto expression “ookini” felt warm.
On the way toward Osaka
Walking toward Osaka, they received many calls of “Please do your best” from high school students heading home, and encouraging words from a convenience-store clerk. They say their legs and body were quite tired from walking this much every day, but that an offhand remark from a stranger genuinely helped. In their words, they walk on their own legs, while the energy to continue comes from the kindness of people they meet.
They write that they had entered Osaka before they fully noticed. There they found a manhole cover illustrated with Myaku-Myaku, the mascot of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and say it was the first time they had seen the actual design. Their reaction was that it was not cute, though they treat it as a travel memory.
Along the Yodo River, then a closed road
They walked along the Yodo River into dusk and describe the changing color of the sky as truly beautiful. Near the end, they say Google’s directions took them to a road that was closed and sent them up and down stairs. With sore legs and an exhausted body, they wanted to reach the lodging as soon as possible.
Pain began near the left ankle partway through the day. After arriving, they found the area was hot and wonder whether they had simply walked too much. At a convenience store they also came across what they took to be a shoplifting disturbance, with police heading to the scene. They describe it only as something that appeared to be shoplifting.
November 11 totals, and the eight-day tally
The author’s own day-8 summary for November 11 lists:
- Steps: 63,895
- Distance: 40.6 km
- Time: 11 hours 57 minutes
- Rest: 1 hour 7 minutes
- Ascent / descent: 78 m / 119 m
- Estimated energy use: 2,669 kcal
From the departure at Okazaki Castle through eight days, they give cumulative figures of 433,672 steps and about 284.8 km. They write that Izumo Taisha is still a long way off and that, worried about their legs, they want to continue while checking with how their body feels. They thank people they met and people who encouraged them, and close by saying the body is worn out, the heart is warm, and the next day will again be one step at a time.
Original activity log: https://yamap.com/activities/52633818
