👋 My name is Janek I'm a designer and researcher from Poland.

Since I was 18, I've felt a pull toward Japan that I can't fully explain. The culture, the history, the aesthetics — something about it swept me in and never let go. For years, this remained a distant dream while I built what looked like a successful career.

Then something cracked.

I looked at my professional achievements and felt their hollowness. Impressive on paper, empty in my hands. I realized I couldn't keep walking the same familiar path, doing things the way I always did. I needed to find out what I'm actually here to give — what gifts I can offer to the world beyond polished pitch decks and client projects.

So I'm finally going to Japan. Not as a tourist, but as a seeker.

I'll walk the Shikoku Henro — a 1,200 km Buddhist pilgrimage circling the island of Shikoku, visiting 88 ancient temples plus 12 additional sacred sites. 80 days on foot. I chose Shikoku over other such activities like the Camino de Santiago because it connects to Buddhist philosophy, which has been calling to me more and more. Plus it's in Japan and is embedded in a completely different culture to the one I grew up in.

This will be my first walk. I've never been to Japan. Solitude is familiar to me, but being truly alone with nature for weeks — that's rare, and I believe it can be transformational. I'm leaving my expectations in Poland and going with an open mind and heart. I don't know what I'll find. And I think that's the point.

I'll walk the path the traditional way — on foot, staying in local inns, eating at local establishments, using the infrastructure that Shikoku communities have maintained for centuries. This approach supports the livelihoods of people who keep this ancient path alive for pilgrims.

What I'll bring back

Drawing on my design background, I'll create 100 digital posters — one for each sacred site. Meditative. Minimal. Made to encourage introspection and offer others a glimpse of the depth I feel when I see the world as it truly is. These will be freely available on a dedicated, distraction-free website — a gift from the journey. 

What I need

Doing the long walk this way is expensive. To accomplish all of this, I need your help. I'm raising €10,000 to cover preparation, flights, lodging, food, temple donations, connectivity, and daily expenses across 80 days. The journey begins in mid-March — and with your support, I'll be ready.

🙏

-

Budget breakdown

Category — Amount

Lodging — €2,800

Transportation — €3,400

Food — €1,800

Temple donations — €300

WiFi & Data — €220

Laundry — €80

Gear & equipment — €750

Other expenses — €650

Total — €10,000

-

Visit the website

I've designed a website where you can dive deeper into the initiative and the creative vision behind the 100 posters.

-

FAQ

Why the Shikoku route specifically?

The Shikoku Henro connects to Buddhist philosophy, which has been calling to me more and more. While I'm sure the Camino is beautiful, I need this particular journey — something about the circularity of walking 1,200 km around an island, the connection to Kōbō Daishi's teachings, and the Japanese aesthetic resonates with where I am in life right now. This isn't just about walking; it's about walking this specific path.

What happens to the 100 posters? How can I access them?

All 100 digital posters will be freely available on a dedicated website after the walk. No paywalls, no email capture, no distractions — just a clean, minimal space where anyone can view and download them. They're my gift back, inspired by the journey. The site will go live as I complete the designs throughout 2026.

Why is this so expensive? Can't you do it cheaper?

I could camp the entire way and eat convenience store food, but that would miss the point. I'm walking the path the traditional way — staying in local minshuku (guesthouses), eating at local establishments, supporting the Shikoku communities who've kept this ancient path alive for centuries. The budget covers 80 days in Japan, including lodging, meals, temple donations, flights, gear, and connectivity to share the journey and create the posters. It's lean, but respectful of the tradition.

When are you leaving? Why the rush?

I depart mid-March 2026. Spring (March-May) is the ideal season for the Shikoku pilgrimage — cherry blossoms, mild temperatures, lower rainfall. If I miss this window, I'd have to wait until autumn or risk summer's rainy season, extreme heat, and humidity. The timing matters both practically and personally — I can't keep postponing this.