Walk Japan's sacred road
An epic pilgrimage across the length of Japan, reimagined as a virtual challenge you complete with your everyday steps.
This 2,007.9 km route traces a sacred path from Tokyo's Senso-ji temple to Mount Aso's caldera shrine in Kumamoto, visiting nine of Japan's most legendary shrines along the way — from the endless torii gates of Fushimi Inari in Kyoto to the floating gate of Itsukushima on Miyajima Island.
With Zelus, you walk the real trail coordinates across Honshu and Kyushu. Your daily steps move you along the route on a live map, unlocking nine milestone checkpoints at shrines like Meiji Jingu, Ise Grand Shrine, and Izumo Taisha — the spiritual heart of Japanese Shinto.
9 milestones along the way
Each milestone marks a legendary Japanese shrine. Unlock them one by one as your daily steps add up.
Start your pilgrimage at Tokyo's oldest temple in Asakusa — pass through the iconic Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) and into centuries of incense-scented history.
Pay respects at Tokyo's forest sanctuary dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, nestled in 70 hectares of ancient woodland.
Visit the shrine in Nagoya that houses Kusanagi no Tsurugi — one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, a sacred sword dating to ancient mythology.
Reach the spiritual heart of Shinto in Ise — Japan's most sacred shrine, rebuilt every 20 years for over 1,300 years.
Pass through Kyoto's 10,000 vermillion torii gates winding up Mount Inari — the head shrine of Inari, the god of rice and prosperity.
Make a wish at one of Japan's oldest shrines — where all the gods are said to gather each October and the shimenawa rope weighs five tonnes.
Take in the floating torii gate on Miyajima Island — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that appears to float on the Seto Inland Sea at high tide.
Offer prayers for success in Fukuoka at the shrine of Sugawara no Michizane, the deified patron of scholars and learning.
Complete the pilgrimage atop Mount Aso's caldera — the largest active volcano in Japan. Route complete — your medal is earned.
How it works
Ready to start walking?
Download Zelus and pick the Shrines of Japan. Your first steps today count toward Aso Shrine.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this challenge take?
The target is 200 days, but there's no time limit. At around 3 km of walking per day (roughly 4,000 steps), you'd finish in about 22 months — this is a long-form challenge designed for sustained consistency. Go at whatever pace feels sustainable.
What shrines are on this route?
The route visits nine legendary Japanese shrines: Senso-ji (Tokyo), Meiji Jingu (Tokyo), Atsuta Shrine (Nagoya), Ise Grand Shrine, Fushimi Inari Taisha (Kyoto), Izumo Taisha, Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima), Dazaifu Tenmangu (Fukuoka), and Aso Shrine (Kumamoto).
Do I need to run?
No. Zelus is built for walking — commuting, errands, lunch walks, pacing on a phone call. Running counts too, but it's not required.
How are my steps converted to distance?
Zelus syncs with your phone's step counter and converts steps into kilometres using a calibrated stride length. Your position updates on the map automatically.
What happens when I finish?
You earn the Shrines of Japan completion medal, which is permanently added to your profile. Then you can pick your next route from the 14+ challenges available.
What if I miss a day?
Nothing happens — your progress stays exactly where you left it. The goal is consistency over time, not perfection. Pick it back up whenever you're ready.