Some journeys test more than our legs. They test our trust. During our Kumano Kodo pilgrimage in Japan, our group of ten set out on the first day’s hike from Takijiri-oji to the small mountain village of Takahara.

Embarking on a pilgrimage is more than just a journey - it’s a soulful adventure that stirs the heart and awakens the spirit. When I first set out on my pilgrimage travel options, I was searching for something beyond the usual tourist trails. I wanted to connect deeply with culture, history, and fellow travelers who shared a thirst for meaning and discovery. What I found was a tapestry of experiences that enriched my life in ways I never imagined.

Some journeys don’t end when we leave. They quietly continue walking beside us. In the autumn of 2024, I walked the first 28 temples of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Japan.

The Seed That Became a Journey began long before I understood what it truly meant. When I first started the International Travel Lovers meetup, I wrote that my dream was to travel the world and visit all the sacred sites. At the time, I didn’t really know what “sacred sites” meant to me, but there must have been a seed already planted, quietly waiting to grow.

NOV 17, 2026 – NOV 29, 2026

NOV 19, 2024 – DEC 01, 2024

AUG 30, 2024 – SEP 15, 2024

MAY 23, 2024 – JUN 1, 2024

AUG 31, 2023 – SEP 10, 2023