Blind Japan Project

About

What is the Blind Japan Project

The Blind Japan Project is my way of using my passion for Japan to raise awareness and foster understanding of those who are blind/visually impaired. Through the Blind Japan Project I do long-distance solo walks across Japan using little more than my white cane, Google Maps, and the help of people I encounter along the way. I document these journeys through social media posts and YouTube videos. In doing so, I show the world what it is like being someone with a visual impairment and how I overcome the many challenges that present themselves while walking across Japan.

To date I have done two long-distance walks: the Tokaido Challenge and the Miyajima Challenge. Combined these two walks span a distance of about 900 km (550 miles) between Nihonbashi Bridge in Tokyo and the city of Iwakuni in western Japan.

In 2025 I am planning to do another 400-500 km walk which will take me from Iwakuni to the southern island of Kyushu. I will need sponsors to make this happen, so if you would like to support, please hit the button below and reach out!

CHALLENGES

, I generally am unable to see text on street signs, detailed maps, and landmarks. As a result, I have had to face a long list of challenges while walking across Japan. Some of these include:

• Problematic Directions: Due to my limited eyesight, I am forced to heavily rely on Google Maps for navigation. However, Google Maps regularly provides problematic walking directions that take me down roads not suited for pedestrians. As a result of this I have found myself in many unsafe situations. Problems with navigation software have also resulted in getting lost on an almost daily basis thus forcing me to waste time and walk far more than necessary.
• Rural Areas: Most of the areas I walk through are quite rural. Walking through these areas is particularly challenging since there are less people and shops. Further due to the prevalence of open gutters, steep falls with no guardrails on the sides of roads, mountains, tunnels, open irrigation canals, and other obstacles I have to be extremely careful when walking through rural areas.
• Shopping: Due to being unable to text on menus and product labels, going to restaurants and convenience stores always comes with difficulties.
• Inclimate Weather: During my walks I have had to deal with high temperatures, temperature swings, and heavy rain.

Despite these challenges and others I have been able to complete both of the walks I have undertaken. I did this by using my white cane, relying on my knowledge of Japan, research, using navigation apps to the best of my ability, and relying on the assistance of both passersby and people on social media.

GOALS

• To raise awareness and foster understanding of those who are blind/visually impaired
• To show that everyone–including those with visual impairments–is capable of achieving incredible things as long as they are given the opportunity
• To show the power of persistence
• To produce engaging content that educates, entertains, and inspires
• To explore and showcase Japan in a unique way

IMPACT

• Related social media posts have received 100,000s of impressions
• Reached 10,000s of people around the world across X, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts, print media, and real world interactions
• Educated countless people about the purpose of the white cane and how visual impairments can range from mild vision loss to total blindness
• Received media coverage in both English and Japanese-language media

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

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 extra 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 areas (due to safety concerns):

Sponsors

• Main Sponsor: The Dubya Club (Wwebsite, X)
• United Neko Alliance (X)
• Own The Doge (Website, X)

Kyushu Challenge

Kyushu Challenge

Set to take place in 2025, the Kyushu Challenge (name may change) will cover another 400-500 km. The course will pick up where the Miyajima Challenge ended (Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture) and run through the island of Kyushu. The exact course remains to be determined but due to the rural and mountainous nature of Kyushu it will have to involve a mixture of ferries, trains and perhaps other forms of trnspartation aside from the 400-500 km that will be covered on foot.

I am currently looking for sponsors in order to fund this trip. Please reach out below if you would like to support this next phase in the Blind Japan Project.

Minimum Needed: $5,000

Amount Riased: $500

Watch on YouTube

Here is a selection of videos focusing on the Blind Japan Project. More to come.