Data Sources & Verification
Transparency about where our data comes from and how we keep it accurate. Pilgrimage conditions change — this page explains our process and what you should verify before you walk.
How We Collect Data
Official Pilgrimage Associations
Route geometry, stage definitions, and waypoint sequences are derived from official association publications: the Pilgrim Reception Office (Oficina del Peregrino) in Santiago for Camino routes; the Kumano Hongu Taisha and Wakayama tourism bureau for Kumano Kodo; the Shikoku Pilgrimage Executive Committee for the 88-temple circuit; and official Saigoku 33 temple and Japan Heritage sources for Saigoku materials.
Gronze.com — Camino Lodging Review Source
Camino lodging names, bed counts, municipal status, and source links are reviewed against Gronze.com stage pages. Rates change frequently, so Sacred Trails treats price as traveler-recorded planning information rather than an official maintained field.
Kumano Travel — Kumano Kodo Lodging
Configured Kumano lodging data currently covers the Nakahechi route and is reviewed against Kumano Travel, the official Kumano Kodo reservation and information platform. Kohechi, Ohechi, and Iseji lodging require manual verification before publication.
88Shikokuhenro.jp — Temple Information
Temple details, visiting hours, stamp (nōkyō) practices, and lodging (shukubō) information for the Shikoku 88-temple Henro are sourced from 88shikokuhenro.jp, cross-referenced against the official Shikoku Pilgrimage Executive Committee materials.
Saigoku 33 & Japan Heritage
Saigoku temple identity, completion practice, and heritage status are reviewed against the official Saigoku 33 association site, the Japan Heritage Saigoku portal, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs Japan Heritage story. External digital stamp campaigns are treated as time-limited travel promotions, not replacements for the physical nōkyōchō.
Manual Verification
Each data point goes through manual review before publication. Our team cross-checks opening status and GPS coordinates using satellite imagery, pilgrim forum reports, and direct inspection of association materials. Points of interest descriptions were drafted with AI assistance and verified against official sources where possible.
Update Frequency
| Data Category | Review Cycle |
|---|---|
Lodging availability & source links Rates are intentionally treated as traveler notes because actual prices vary by date, season, and operator. | Route review cycle |
Route waypoints & distances Updated when associations publish revised stage maps or significant trail reroutes are confirmed. | Annual review |
Temple information (Shikoku) Temple closures, reconstruction, and visiting-hour changes are applied as they are confirmed. | When major changes are reported |
External digital stamp campaigns WESTER and similar campaigns are checked as temporary advisory content, not as permanent pilgrimage certification data. | Before each app release while active |
Points of interest New fountains, pharmacies, and facilities are added through app updates at no extra cost. | Rolling updates |
What to Verify Before Your Trip
Sacred Trails data is a solid starting point, but pilgrimage infrastructure changes constantly. Before you leave home, we recommend independently confirming:
- !Lodging availability and your own expected rate — especially in peak season (May–September on Camino routes, April–May for Shikoku)
- !Opening hours of albergues, restaurants, and pharmacies — rural villages often have limited schedules
- !Albergue reservation requirements — some municipal albergues are walk-in only; others now require advance booking
- !Trail closures after storms — mountain sections of Primitivo, Norte, and Kohechi can be affected by seasonal damage
- !Cash requirements — many small villages and temple lodgings in Japan do not accept cards
- !Pilgrim credential requirements — some newer routes may require specific stamp office registration
- !Digital stamp campaign dates — external campaign apps may change periods, prize rules, or eligible temples without changing official pilgrimage completion rules
How to Report Errors
Found a closed albergue, stale source link, or GPS coordinate that's off? Please let us know. We review all corrections and, when confirmed, roll them into the next app update at no extra cost to existing users.
Or leave a note via the App Store listing — we read all reviews.
AI Assistance Disclosure
Route descriptions, waypoint historical narratives, and points of interest details were drafted with AI assistance and subsequently reviewed against official association publications, guidebooks, and pilgrim community resources. Structured data (distances, GPS coordinates, lodging names, bed counts, and source links) comes from the primary sources listed above and is not AI-generated. We believe in being transparent about this: AI helped us write at scale, but humans verified what matters most before the data went into your pocket.