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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

        Solace and Giant Salamanders in Akiota

        Just beyond Hiroshima City is a tranquil outdoor destination home to some of Japan's last remaining oosanshouo, the elusive giant salamander.
        Kyoto Oni Trail Outdoor Japanvideo

        The Oni Trail: Hiking Coastal Kyoto

        The mystical oni is prevalent in Japanese children’s stories, usually as a way to scare kids straight. Adventure Travel Kyoto is shedding a new light on this folklore and developing a new hiking route in the countryside of Kyoto.
    • Summer
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
        adventure travel world summit in hokkaido

        Adventure Travel World Summit in Hokkaido

        The ATTA will host their first Adventure Travel World Summit in Asia in Hokkaido, Japan. We caught up with ATTA Director Shannon Stowell to find out more about the adventure travel industry and how it continues to grow and evolve.
        mead brewing in japan

        The Sweet Secrets of Brewing Mead

        Wander into the world of mead brewing and find yourself immersed in a fascinating journey spanning centuries and continents.
        the knights in white lycra

        The Knights in White Lycra

        Each year a group of cyclists head to the deep north towards Tohoku’s vast rice fields and coastal trails to help transform the lives of neglected children.
        sea to table yamagata

        Sea to Table in Yamagata

        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
    • Near Tokyo
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
      • climbing mt. fuji off season

        Mt. Fuji: The Path Less Traveled

        Fuji-san is the most climbed mountain in the world. If you are in good shape, there is a way to avoid the traffic for a more peaceful Mt. Fuji experience during the off-season.
    • Travel
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Food and Drinks
      • the nomad pasche family

        The World is Our Playground

        The Pasche family has been cycling and living out of a tent in remote corners of the planet for the past 13 years on four continents spanning 50 countries.
    • Races and Events
      • fuji rock japan

        2023 Summer Music Festivals

        Get into the groove this green season while enjoying the great outdoors with family and friends.
        Summer Events Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        2023 Fireworks Festivals in Japan

        Enjoy these fireworks festivals held throughout Japan this summer and autumn.

The Roof of the Gods

The morning light is dazzling as it reflects off the vermillion offertory box. The interior remains dark as if to emphasize the sacredness of what lies beyond. The five men entering this sacred place ascend another level and head toward the main worship area, raising their heads to receive purification.

One is a full-time surfer and part-time painter with a passion for shogi (Japanese chess). Another is a construction worker who wears his pristine work clothes with pride. Two old men with wrinkled uniforms, well past their glory days, join as well. I round out the group in my brand new tabi (Japanese socks).

This day marked the start of repair work on one of our island’s Shinto shrines. I was called in by the surfer/painter to help paint the shrine’s roof.

After we ascended 156 stone steps, the shrine, sitting near the top of a small mountain, came into view. Most villages in Japan have a shrine; this particular one is revered with greater meaning than the others on our island. Just the thought of working here, above the gods, had me cleaning up my act even before I got here.

When we broke for lunch, I scrambled down the concrete stairs and ran to the nearby beach. Why the rush? Soon the island would hold its yearly full marathon, and this year would mark my seventh running.

Since I’m not a big fan of running, I had always been out of breath, struggling to cross the finish line, sheer willpower forcing me on. I had been training on the same five-kilometer course near my home but soon recognized how boring this was. Then I became friends with Hiroki Ishikawa, a trail-runner who taught me the beauty and enjoyment of running.

I asked what excited him about running trails through the middle of nature, to which he replied, “It’s getting in the great outdoors and allowing the body to enjoy the scenery, air and seasons.” Instead of climbing and hiking all day, you can witness the same landscape in a few hours with less equipment.

After taking Hiroki’s words to heart, I changed my shoes and started going on 30-minute runs around a friend’s neighborhood or near some unknown places where I work. Since I have a passion for the ocean, I often find myself taking runs along the beach or coast. While listening to the sound of the waves, I find myself exploring places I normally wouldn’t traverse, finding sandy beaches and new surf points.

Many times I’t come across the eggs of loggerhead sea turtles, which OJ readers know have been a recent passion of mine. As an avid photographer, I make sure to bring along a camera which suits me well on these runs.

I run back up the steps to the shrine and, following a quick lunch, set to work on the roof again. With a clear view of the beach course I just ran, I realize discovering another of life’s pleasures truly a sign of high tides.

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