Walking Japan the Long Way｜Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage Day 5/秩父札所巡り

About the Journey This is a record of my walking journey from Nihonbashi all the way to the sacred sites of the Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage. Following the historic Kawagoe Highway, this trek begins in the heart of Tokyo and traces the old roads out to the quiet mountains of Chichibu, combining the charm of historic highways with the spiritual tradition of temple visiting. Crossing into the Sacred Basin: Kayunita Pass to the First Temple This follows Day 5 of my walk toward Chichibu, continuing deeper into the countryside beyond Ogawa. On this fifth day, I crossed the quiet mountain pass of Kayunita Pass and descended directly into the Chichibu Basin. The long day ended at the First Temple, Shimabu-ji—a momentous milestone where the long approach from Tokyo finally gave way to the true beginning of the pilgrimage itself.