Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

Yesterday I hiked up Mount Kinka again.

I’ve been up there many times, and it never gets boring. But honestly, it isn’t really about Mount Kinka.

What keeps pulling me back is the physical movement itself — the rhythm of walking trails, the crunch of leaves under my shoes, the quiet breath of the forest. It’s addictive to be out there, winding through nature right outside my home in Gifu.

Hiking these trails week after week gave me a reason to start vlogging. With just a small action camera and a wireless microphone, I can capture the adventure and share it on YouTube. The vlogs began as a weekly experiment, but they quickly became a way to clear my mind, keep my body in shape, and reflect on how I live in Japan.

There’s so much more to this country than crowded cities and famous food spots. Out here in rural Japan, you discover a different rhythm — open trails, ancient hidden gems, and quiet corners of history waiting to be appreciated.

Back in the Netherlands, I ran a lot. The running spots were limited and a little monotonous. Here, I’m surrounded by trail paradise. Lately, I’ve also noticed more and more Japanese trail runners passing me on the mountain paths, which sparked the idea of trying trail running myself. That’s why I’m starting to consider trail-running vlogs too. With lightweight, rugged cameras, I can bring people along for the ride.

Maybe those running vlogs will add a new layer to my channel, maybe not. But that isn’t the point. The point is to get outside, capture the beauty of Japan’s outdoors, and hopefully inspire others to see a side of Japan that most visitors never experience.