Blind Japan Project

Blind Japan Project

I undertake long-distance journeys across Japan to document what it is like to explore the country as a legally blind person. Through this work, I aim to raise awareness of the blind and visually impaired community and encourage others to pursue their goals.

As of October 2025, I have covered approximately 1,400 km on foot across Japan.

In 2026, I will continue the project with a roughly 1,000 km tandem bicycle journey across the Tohoku region. I am currently seeking sponsors for this next challenge.

Learn More

Days Walked

Traveled

Steps

About

What is the Blind Japan Project

The Blind Japan Project is a series of long-distance journeys across Japan that combine independent navigation, lived experience, and storytelling to highlight what it is like to move through the country as a legally blind person.

I travel primarily on foot using a white cane, digital navigation tools, and assistance from people I meet along the way. I document each journey through video, audio, and online updates.

To date, I have completed three walking challenges — the Tōkaidō Challenge, Miyajima Challenge, and Kyūshū Challenge — covering a combined total of approximately 1,400 km from Tokyo to southern Kyūshū.

In 2026, I plan to continue the project with a roughly 1,000 km tandem bicycle journey from Cape Sōya in northern Hokkaidō to Tokyo via the Tōhoku region. I am currently seeking sponsors to support this next stage of the project.

Sponsor

Nihonbashi Tokyo to Sakurajima, Kagoshima

CHALLENGES

I am unable to see standard-sized text, detailed maps, or many landmarks, which creates ongoing challenges when navigating long-distance routes across Japan.

Key difficulties include:

  • Navigation issues: I rely heavily on Google Maps, which can provide unsuitable walking routes that lead to unsafe roads or require frequent detours. I often get lost and end up walking significantly more than planned.
  • Rural environments: Many routes pass through rural areas with limited infrastructure, fewer people, and hazards such as open gutters, steep drops, tunnels, and irrigation canals.
  • Weather conditions: Long-distance walks often involve extreme heat, sudden temperature changes, and heavy rain.

Despite these challenges, I have completed multiple long-distance journeys using a combination of a white cane, navigation tools, prior research, and assistance from people I meet along the way.

GOALS

  • Raise awareness and understanding of blind and visually impaired communities
  • Show that visually impaired people can achieve incredible things with the right tools
  • Inspire people to take on their own challenges
  • Showcase lesser-known areas of Japan from a unique, on-the-ground perspective

IMPACT

  • Tens of thousands of people reached across X, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts, speaking engagements, print media, and in-person interactions
  • Featured in Japanese media, including Yamaguchi Broadcasting (Yamaguchi Hōsō)

Tokaido Challenge

Tokaido Challenge

The Tokaido Challenge was my first long-distance walk. The route was based on the Old Tokaido, a historic road that connects the ancient capital of Kyoto to Tokyo.

  • Start: Sanjō Ōhashi, Kyoto 09/20/23
  • End: Nihongachi, Tokyo 10/19/23
  • Days Walked: 25
  • Distance: Approximately 500 km
  • Omitted areas (due to safety concerns): Suzuka Mountain Pass, Satta Mountain Pass, Western Portion of Hakone
  • Tokaido Challenge Video Series YouTube Playlist

Sponsors

  • Main Sponsor
    • Hawaii Association of the Blind $5,000 (Website)
  • Ichizo Kobayashi $500
Tony Dot Vega at Nihonbashi in Tokyo on day 29 of the Tokaido Challenge. Taken on October 19 after walking 500 km from Kyoto to Tokyo along the Tokaido Road.

Tony R. Vega at Nihonbashi, Tokyo

Miyajima Challenge

Miyajima Challenge

The Miyajima Challenge was a roughly 400 km walk that took me from Sanjō Ōhashi bridge in Kyoto to Iwakuni Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The goal was the famous torii gate on the island of Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture, however due to having an extra day in HIroshima after reaching Miyajima, I walked an additional 20 km and reached Iwakuni Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

  • Start: Sanjō Ōhashi, Kyoto 10/02/24
  • End: Iwakuni Station, Yamaguchi 10/26/24
  • Distance: Approximately 400 km
  • Days Walked: 22
  • Omitted around 20-30 km in east Hiroshima due to safety concerns

Sponsors

  • Main Sponsor: The Dubya Club (Website, X)
  • United Neko Alliance (X)
  • Own The Doge (Website, X)
Tony Dot Vega at Nihonbashi in Tokyo on day 29 of the Tokaido Challenge. Taken on October 19 after walking 500 km from Kyoto to Tokyo along the Tokaido Road.

Tony R. Vega at the

Famous Torii Gate ON

Miyajima

Kyushu Challenge

Kyūshū Challenge

The Kyūshū Challenge was a 558 km walk from Iwakuni Station in Yamaguchi Prefecture to Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture.

  • Start: Iwakuni Station, Yamaguchi 09/28/25
  • End: Sakurajima, Kagoshima 10/28/25
  • Distance: Approximately 558 km
  • Days Walked: 30
  • Omitted around 20 km in southern Kumamoto due to safety concerns

Sponsors

  • Main Sponsor: Hawaii Association of the Blind (website)
  • Provider of Internet & Phone Service
  • United Neko Alliance (X)
  • Chaos Club (X)
  • Meccha Yuugen (X)
  • Wailoaloa (X)
Tony R. Vega on the ferry heading to Sakurajima on day 30 of the Kyushu Challenge

Tony R. Vega on the ferry heading

to Sakurajima, Kagoshima

Tōhoku Challenge

Tōhoku Challenge

Set to take place in October of 2026, the Tōhoku Challenge will be a roughly 1,000 km tandem bicycle ride from Cape Ōma at the northernmost point oh Honshu to Tokyo. The journey will be documented in real time in both Japanese and English on X, Instagram and possibly other platforms like YouTube.

I am currently looking for sponsors.

Tony R. Vega on the ferry heading to Sakurajima on day 30 of the Kyushu Challenge

The Tōhoku region

Izumo Challenge

Izumo Challenge

Set to take place in November of 2026, this will be a long-distance walk from Izumo Taisha Hawaii in Honolulu to the main Izumo Taisha shrine in Shimane Prefecture. This walk will be an extension off of the Tōkaidō Challenge and Miyajima Challenge. It will consist of: a walk from Izumo Taiaha Hawaii to Daniel K. Inoue International Airport, a walk from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa Station, and a roughly 200 km walk from Hiroshima Station to Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture.

I am currently looking for sponsors.

Tony R. Vega on the ferry heading to Sakurajima on day 30 of the Kyushu Challenge

Bronze Torī gate at Izumo Taisha shrine

Media Coverage

The Blind Japan Project has been covered/featured in both Egnlish and Japanese-language media.

To support the Blind Japan Project vis sponsorships, media coverage and/or collaborations, reach out via email.

mail [@] tonyrvega.com