Pursuing 'meaningless things' that no one asked for. What is this 'river walking' that changed my life?

I will be selling my new book, 'I Want to Feel Alive, So I Walk Along Rivers,' at the 'Te-10 Chizuko' booth at the Literary Flea Market Tokyo 41 on Sunday, 11/23.

This is day 2 of my daily notes leading up to the Literary Flea Market. This time, I would like to answer the question that also serves as the title of my new book: 'What on earth is river walking?'

I imagine that for most of you, 'river walking' is a term you are not familiar with. You are probably wondering about many things.

Why did I get hooked on river walking and decide to create an essay book after eight years? In this note, I would like to carefully explain that process.

First of all, what is 'river walking'?

'River walking' is an activity where you choose a river you like and simply walk along the path by the river, from the headwaters where the first drop might fall to the river mouth.

Sometimes I walk from the mountains toward the sea, and depending on the river, I might walk upstream from the sea to the mountains.

The point is that there is no need to enter the water. You simply walk along the 'path by the river' as much as possible.

The image might be close to 'mountain climbing.' However, while I think mountain climbing has established trails, river walking is not mainstream at all, so there are no set paths.

The real thrill is researching and walking the entire route between the start and the goal yourself. Of course, it often happens that a path I researched on a map beforehand turns out to be under construction or has become an animal trail, making it impassable.

Why did you start doing something like that?

The trigger for me starting river walking was the 'Tama River,' which I had crossed every day for school and work since I was a student.

When I got tired of the crowds in Tokyo, I would often space out and take a break on the riverbed of the Tama River. At that time, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

I have always had a strong intellectual curiosity, the kind where 'if I'm curious, I want to go.' That simple question was the beginning of walking along rivers.

At first, I only walked parts of the familiar Tama River, like 'a little upstream' or 'a little downstream.' It became serious when I started my blog in 2017. I walked the Kanda River in its entirety for the first time, from its source at Inokashira Park to the point where it joins the Sumida River.

When a river is long, I naturally divide the walk into multiple sessions. Since I also take quite a few detours, the maximum I can walk in one day is about 20km. I am exhausted when I finish, but there is quite a sense of accomplishment.

What is waiting for you when you walk along a river?

Rivers do not flow through places that are 'famous' like tourist spots. They flow through truly random places, whether it's right in the middle of a residential area or deep in the mountains.

That's why the interesting thing about river walking is that you can go to places you'd never otherwise visit, creating 'once-in-a-lifetime' encounters.

When you introduce yourself to someone you've just met, the topic of where you're from often comes up. When I say, 'Oh, I've walked along the river there,' it turns out to be right near their parents' home. The other person is often very surprised and will share memories they have of that river.

These aren't places people go to as tourist destinations. But I can feel that this place and that place are connected in everyday life. That is something I really love about it.

However, the actual feeling of river walking might be closer to 'exercise' or 'ascetic training' than a 'refreshing stroll'.

You just keep walking until you reach the goal you've set for yourself. Depending on the location, there are situations where 'there's no train station, so I can't get home unless I finish walking.' You reach the limits of your physical strength, you're incredibly hungry, and the sun starts to set...

Even so, there is an aspect of 'testing yourself' to see if you can walk all the way to the end.

Danger, happenings, and the 'feeling of being alive'

I'm often asked, 'Isn't river walking dangerous?' In fact, all sorts of things happen when you're walking along a river.

For example, bears, which have been a frequent topic of conversation lately. I've never encountered a bear myself, but I often see 'Beware of Bears' signs in the mountain headwater areas.

Besides that,

and other such happenings are endless.

If you're in an office or at home, modern life in Japan is guaranteed to be safe to a certain extent, and you can predict what will happen next. But that's not the case with river walking.

There are mishaps, but there are also times when locals suddenly strike up a conversation, or you encounter beautiful scenery you never imagined. There are many unexpected 'miraculous encounters' as well.

That is where I feel the 'sensation of being alive.'

And during this time spent river walking, I have the feeling that 'I am using my life's time for myself,' not for anyone else.

Who I want this book to reach

I hope this essay book, 'I'm Walking Along Rivers Because I Want to Feel Alive,' reaches people who are feeling this way.

If there is anyone who feels that way, I want to tell them, 'Please, do what you love!'

My river walking doesn't directly serve anyone in itself. However, there are people who listen to my stories about river walking with interest, I've been able to get to know others with similar niche passions, and by making this book, I can meet new readers.

There is a world that can only be seen by pursuing things that, at first glance, seem to have no reason for being done.I would be happy if I could convey that, along with the wonder and fun of rivers, in this book.

For those who have even a slight interest in river walking or becoming absorbed in what you love: I will be waiting for you at the [Te-10 Chizuko] booth at the Tokyo Literature Flea Market on Sunday, November 23rd, along with my new book, 'I Walk Rivers Because I Want to Feel Alive.'