{"product_id":"impermanence-lawrence-iles-9781972530009","title":"Impermanence: One Man's 879-Mile Journey on Japan's Shikoku Eighty-Eight-Temple Pilgrimage","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImpermanence: A Memoir of Adventure, Pilgrimage, and Self-Discovery in Japan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat begins as a long-distance walk becomes a life-changing adventure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eImpermanence\u003c\/em\u003e, writer and adventurer \u003cstrong\u003eLarry Iles\u003c\/strong\u003e sets out on a remarkable \u003cstrong\u003e879-mile solo hiking journey\u003c\/strong\u003e across the island of \u003cstrong\u003eShikoku, Japan\u003c\/strong\u003e, following the ancient \u003cstrong\u003eEighty-Eight Temple Pilgrimage\u003c\/strong\u003e. Carrying little more than a backpack and the weight of a lifetime of memories, he steps onto the trail as a modern wanderer, embracing \u003cstrong\u003eindependent travel\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ebackpacking\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the raw simplicity of \u003cstrong\u003ebudget travel\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat begins as a physical quest soon unfolds into a life-changing \u003cstrong\u003eodyssey\u003c\/strong\u003e. Walking forests, seaside paths, and remote temple roads far \u003cstrong\u003eoff the beaten path\u003c\/strong\u003e, Iles enters a landscape shaped by centuries of pilgrimage. Along the way, he encounters the timeless rhythms of \u003cstrong\u003etraditional Japan\u003c\/strong\u003e-quiet temples, steaming \u003cstrong\u003eonsen\u003c\/strong\u003e, rural villages, and fellow travelers following the same sacred route.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween moments of sightseeing and long stretches of wilderness, the road becomes a place of deep \u003cstrong\u003emindfulness\u003c\/strong\u003e, reflection, and \u003cstrong\u003eself-discovery\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlending immersive \u003cstrong\u003eadventure nonfiction\u003c\/strong\u003e with spiritual reflection, \u003cem\u003eImpermanence\u003c\/em\u003e reveals the deeper meaning that emerges through long days on the trail. Walking through misted mountains, quiet fishing villages, and forested wilderness, Iles experiences the enduring traditions of rural \u003cstrong\u003eAsia\u003c\/strong\u003e and the quiet rituals of a pilgrimage practiced for more than a thousand years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYet the journey becomes far more than \u003cstrong\u003esolo travel\u003c\/strong\u003e or backpacking. News from home-both joyful and heartbreaking-arrives along the way, turning the walk into a profound \u003cstrong\u003equest\u003c\/strong\u003e for meaning and \u003cstrong\u003epersonal growth\u003c\/strong\u003e. The birth of a grandson, the death of a childhood friend, memories of family, and the long shadow of a complicated father surface with every step.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat follows is a deeply human \u003cstrong\u003etrue story\u003c\/strong\u003e of resilience and transformation. Through exhaustion, rain, solitude, and moments of unexpected kindness from strangers, Iles discovers that pilgrimage is not about reaching a destination-it is about learning how to live fully within each fleeting moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePart \u003cstrong\u003etravel memoir\u003c\/strong\u003e, part \u003cstrong\u003espiritual odyssey\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003eImpermanence\u003c\/em\u003e captures the spirit of \u003cstrong\u003ewanderlust\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003esolo hiking\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the courage of stepping outside one's comfort zone. It is a story for \u003cstrong\u003etravelers\u003c\/strong\u003e, seekers, and anyone drawn to the timeless call of the road.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor readers who love \u003cstrong\u003eJapan\u003c\/strong\u003e, traditional pilgrimage routes, and unforgettable \u003cstrong\u003eunique travel experiences\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003eImpermanence\u003c\/em\u003e offers an inspiring portrait of a man walking toward understanding-\u003cstrong\u003eone temple, one mile, one breath at a time\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Lawrence Iles\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1972530003\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781972530009\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Enso Book Publishing LLC\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 360\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.06lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.80d","brand":"Lawrence Iles","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48588460392703,"sku":"9781972530009","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/impermanence-lawrence-iles-9781972530009","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}