88 Temples, 750 Miles, Untold Gifts: Japan’s Shikoku Pilgrimage (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to walk the Shikoku 88? ›

There are many ways to make the Shikoku pilgrimage based on one's schedule, physical health and budget. Walking: This will take about 6 weeks (average 30km/day) and cost about 400,000 yen. This is the most traditional way, but it takes the most time and money.

The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, or motorcycles, and often augment their travels with public transportation. The standard walking course is approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete.

Shikoku: At a Glance

For hundreds of years, a 750-mile pilgrimage route has circled this mountainous island, connecting 88 separate temples and shrines that claim connection to Daishi, also known as the Great Master.

Try this 698.5-mile loop trail near Naruto, Tokushima. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 299 h 58 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, birding, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage is traditionally walked, and many still chose to go on foot. It takes on average 45 days to complete the circuit this way. Others choose to travel by bicycle, motorcycle, car, or bus. Some pilgrims choose to do it in chunks, taking years to finish their journey.

Consider packing a lightweight backpack with essentials such as water, food, a first aid kit, and appropriate clothing for the weather. Respect local customs: The Shikoku Henro is a religious journey, and it's important to show respect to the temples, the local communities, and other pilgrims.

Kumano Kodo

Steeped in lush greenery, The Kumano Kodo is one of the world's most renowned pilgrimage routes. Winding through the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, an area straddling Wakayama, Nara, Osaka and Mie prefectures, the route has walked by pilgrims on their quest for enlightenment for over a millennium.

Shikoku Pilgrims, known as ohenro-san, undertake the journey around Shikoku island to atone for sins, to pray for health and success, in pursuit of enlightenment, and to experience the mysteries of Japan's least developed island.

Shikoku is most famous for its 88 Temple Pilgrimage, a 1400 kilometer route established by Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. The pilgrimage circles through sweeping valleys, past tranquil streams, and secret rural communities, up to misty mountaintop shrines and self-realization.

You can travel around Shikoku's four prefectures (Kagawa, Ehime, Tokushima, and Kochi) using six railway companies and see the sights of Shodo Island on ferries and buses.

What is the longest walking pilgrimage? ›

The pilgrimage on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands, is a 750-mile route that links 88 Buddhist temples, each of which claims a connection to Kukai, a celebrated monk — posthumously known as Kobo Daishi — who, after returning from a trip to China in the ninth century, founded one of the major schools ...

In Japan, there are two kinds of bears. Black bears are found on Honshu, the largest of the country's four main islands, and on Shikoku. Brown bears live on the northern island of Hokkaido. Adult black bears stand 1 to 1.5 meters tall and weigh from 60 to 120 kilograms.

You visit the most attractive and spectacular temples, particularly those associated with Kūkai, founder of the pilgrimage, and Emon Saburō, the first pilgrim. Shikoku is a big place, and to see everything in eight days calls for busy days.

Spring is the most popular pilgrim season. Most consider it the optimal time of the year to traverse Shikoku's outdoors for its moderate temperatures and beautiful scenery.

The most popular Kumano Kodo route is the Nakahechi path. It is quite short at about 40km but a lot of it is on hilly forest paths. Most people would take three days to walk that route. If you want to spend 10 days or more walking you might consider adding on a further walk south to Nachi.

How to get to Shikoku. From Japan's major airports, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, take a flight to Tokushima Awaodori Airport.

You can enter many temples and shrines for free. Generally, admission to notable temples, shrines, and castles is around 500 yen. Museums can cost around 1,000-2,000 yen.