{"id":89851,"date":"2024-05-31T10:50:59","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T01:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/?post_type=magazine&p=89851"},"modified":"2024-05-31T10:51:03","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T01:51:03","slug":"shikoku-zen-hiker","status":"publish","type":"magazine","link":"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/en\/magazine-issue\/shikoku-zen-hiker\/","title":{"rendered":"SHIKOKU
Zen Hiker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Editor’s Letter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No.70 \u2014 TOKUSHIMA, KOCHI, EHIME, KAGAWA
Shikoku\uff082024\uff09 <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Land of the Long Trail<\/strong>

By LUCAS B.B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


A \u2018long walk\u2019 revolution is upon us. Hikers, and travelers around the world are no longer flocking to the highest peaks in order to complete checklists but instead are seeking out mindful explorations along \u2018long trails\u2019. And while many Japanese hikers still set out to hike the world\u2019s most prestigious long trails, such as the Pacific Crest Trail, The Te Araroa Trail and the Camino de Santiago Long Walk; many of these advent walkers and travelers are just beginning to discover the abundance of long trails found here in Japan the \u2018land of the long trail\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My definition of a long trail is a path that takes at least three days to walk and touches both on the natural and cultural surroundings of a given location. Japan is unique in its wide variation of long trails. Some trails were created with the practical need to transport people and goods. These roads include the Kyu Tokaido Trail and Nakasendo Routes, The Saba Kaido, and Japan\u2019s most ancient trail the Yamanobe Road. Other roads were originated by ramblers such as the poet Matsuo Basho\u2019s \u2018Oku no Hosomichi\u2019 stretching from Tokyo to the Tohoku region and still others by outlaws such as Sakamoto Ryoma\u2019s \u2018Dappan no Michi\u2019. A new category of Japanese long trail routes mimics the recreational routes found overseas and blends these with distinctly Japanese details. Trails in this category include the Amatomi Trail and the Michinoku Coastal Trail as well as an upcoming trail that I\u2019m personally designing called the Katsuo Trail. And last in Japan\u2019s mighty inventory of Long Trails are the Pilgrimage Trails. These are the oldest routes and include such trails as the Kumano Kodo Route and the Shikoku Pilgrimage Route which we have named the \u2018Zen Trail\u2019 in an effort to brand the trail for modern UL hikers and Adventure Travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this issue Papersky along with Poet, Ito Kon walked The Zen Trail, a unique \u2018loop trail\u2019 spanning 1200km and created 1250 years ago by Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi). The trail connects 88 temples as check points on the hikers symbolic path towards enlightenment. Each of the four prefectures that the trail transcends represents a journey (Tokushima = Awakening \/ Kochi = Training \/ Ehime = Enlightenment \/ Kagawa = Nirvana) that the \u2018Zen Hiker\u2019 must take before reaching their final nirvana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trail combines all the aspects of traditional trail hiking \u2013 stunning nature and physical challenges along with a deep exploration of Japanese gastronomy, history and local culture allowing the long trail traveler to take home in their hearts and minds a bit of \u2018real Japan\u2019 and a more spiritually fulfilled self.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Soundtrack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SHIKOKU<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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PAPERSKY Soundtrack For Travelers
Shikoku Edition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A list of Songs to enjoy over a cup of coffee, while driving, and of course while flipping through the pages of the SHIKOKU edition of Papersky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selected by:
GOOD NEIGHBORS’ MUSIC VENDER
Kenji Hatogai (BAGN Inc.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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