Run With Me to Zen Poet Ryōkan’s Hermitage

One of the amazing things about living in Japan is being so close to so much history all the time. Last winter I discovered that one of my favorite Zen poets — and one who is now famous worldwide, though long-gone from this world physically — Ryōkan, spent around 20 years near the foot of a mountain that is very close to where I live.

When spring arrived, I decided to make my own pilgrimage out to this wonderful spot. It’s a tiny thatched hut near some temples on Mt. Kugami, Niigata prefecture, Japan.

I turned it into a 30-mile run and hike. It was tough, especially when I ran out of water on the mountain because I underestimated the trail. But well worth it. I hope you enjoy the video.