Likewise, I walked the Shikoku pilgrimage earlier this year and found it an amazing experience which I can't stop thinking about. My journal is here for anyone who's interested: https://henro.co/journal/
I walked it this year as well, about 20 days before you it seems. I've started reading your journal, it's great. I found a picture of a woman who gave me a mikan and told me "when you are hot, it will exist" on Day 5, she was lovely.
It was one of the best things I've ever done.
Returning to the real world, work was a bit of a struggle. The charity and spirit of giving and receiving was incredible.