When Figuerido was helping to plan an operation, he slid up to a map table surrounded by Iraqi troops (contractors who play Iraqis, and who never speak English).

NPR: Training the Trainers at Fort Riley

Though the pilgrimage has been in operation for more than 1, 000 years it remains quite off the map for most visitors to Japan who consider Kyoto or Osaka a far enough detour from the main access point of Tokyo.

CNN: World's best unknown hike: Japan's Kumano Kodo