Blind Japan Project

Blind Japan Project

I’m on a mission to walk across as much of Japan as possible and show what it is like to do so as someone who is legally blind. By documenting my travels across Japan, I am trying to raise awareness of the blind and visually impaired community, as well as inspire people around the world to pursue their goals.

As of October 2025 I have walked approximately 1,400 km (870 miles) across Japan. I am planning to continue the journey in 2026 with a roughly 1,000 km tandem bicycle ride across the Tohoku region of Japan. I am currently looking for sponsors. Major sponsors will be featured in marketing for the next challenge. If you would like to come on as a sponsor, please contact me!

Learn More

Days Walked

Traveled

Steps

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, YouTube videos, and podcasts. 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 three long-distance walks: the Tokaido Challenge, the Miyajima Challenge, and the Kyushu Challenge. Combined these three walks span a distance of about 1,400 km (870 miles) between Nihonbashi Bridge in Tokyo and Sakurajima in Kagoshima Prefecture at the southern end of mainland Japan.

In 2026 I am planning to do a tandem bicycle ride across the Tohoku region of Japan. This will be a roughly 1,000 km route spanning from Nihonbashi in Tokyo to Cape Oma at the northern tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu. I will need sponsors to make this happen, so if you would like to support, please hit the button below and reach out!

Sponsor

Nihonbashi Tokyo to Sakurajima, Kagoshima

CHALLENGES

I am unable to see standard sized text, 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 all three 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, Japanese TV, and real world interactions
  • Was featured on a news program aired on the Yamaguchi Hōsō (Yamaguchi Broadcasting) TV channel
  • Educated countless people about the purpose of the white cane and how visual impairments can range from mild vision loss to total blindness

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

If you would like to support the Blind Japan Project, please reach out via the form below or email me directly mail@tonyrvega.com.

Sponsors get mentioned in marketing material and edited content produced such as podcasts and videos. If you have any ideas for how e can work together, do not hesitate to contact me.

Also I am looking for media coverage and opportunities where I can speak about the Blind Japan Project. If you have any ideas or would like to help me reach more people, please get in touch.

 

Media Coverage

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