Walking along the ancient Tokaido Road - A Pilgrim’s Path: Adventures and Transformations (Vol.3: New Beginnings)

2026 International Book Awards Finalist — Nonfiction: Cross-Genre / Travel: Guides & Essays

Decoding Japanese Culture Through a 16-Year Introspective Journey along the Tokaido Road Vol. 3: New Beginnings — The Mask and the Final Step
 

"The person wearing the mask is truly who you are. When you accept your own truth, your path will stretch forward."
 

Seven years after pausing in Nagoya, at a major career turning point in 2022, the author once again took up his walking staff. Traveling from Kuwana in Mie to Sanjō-Ōhashi in Kyoto, this is the final record of a sixteen-year pilgrimage — and a new beginning.
 

"The secrets beneath remain undiscovered; it is a never-ending story without a solution. You are a secret in a world where there is no objective truth — only the selfish dream that motivates you to live."

A philosophical reflection on a journey, dedicated to all those who continue to move forward despite their uncertainties.

This book is dedicated to the traveler who is tired of trying to be a "good person" in a perfect world.

• "This is what finishing looks like when arrival was never the whole story." — BookBelow
• "Ichiro Asanuma uses repetition, symbolism, folklore, and historical references to connect modern Japan with its cultural past. Readers who enjoy travel memoirs, Japanese history, cultural commentary, and introspective nonfiction will enjoy the book's thoughtful structure and attention to detail." — Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite

This book is dedicated to the traveler who is tired of trying to be a "good person" in a perfect world.