How Much is 20,000 Steps a Day?

So you have your trip planned. You're gonna do all the things, see all the places. It's planned out to a T. You just need to walk 20,000 steps a day. No biggie, right? Just how much is 20,000 steps a day, really?

A lot.

To put it simply, 20,000 steps a day is a lot more than you think it's gonna be.

Because it's not just 20,000 steps. It's 20,000 steps 

- on the street

- on the sidewalk/walking path next to the street

- up and down the over street crosswalks

- uphill

- downhill

- up and down uneven castle steps

- along uneven pathways through temples and shrines

- strolling through parks

- touring Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower and similar destinations

- up and down the steps to get to and from the train stations and the platforms themselves

- while carrying a purse, backpack, or some other daypack to hold your credit/debit cards, cash, passport, IC card, phone chargers, hand towel, soap, etc

- and carrying any shopping bags you may collect throughout the day

And you're doing this every day 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 days in a row.

Trust me, you will be sore. You will be regretting your life choices. You will be rethinking your itinerary (unless, of course, you have certain activities booked in advanced that you need to attend).

So when people who have been to Japan say your itinerary is too packed, maybe listen. Japan isn't going anywhere. I understand wanting to do all the things and see all the places. But it's also more important to enjoy the things you're doing and the places you're seeing. If you're sore, chances are you're gonna be cranky. And if you're cranky, chances are you're not having as much fun as you otherwise could.

Again, Japan isn't going anywhere. There will be time for a second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. visit. Each one it's own once-in-a-lifetime dream trip.