The act of pilgrimage is deeply rooted in Japanese religious and cultural life. Since the Heian period, pilgrimages have been integral to Japanese spirituality, inspiring the religious, the spiritual, and the simply curious to journey to sacred sites across the nation.
The Shikoku Pilgrimage, with its 88 temples, is unquestionably one of the most beautiful pilgrimages to be found in Japan and it remains as popular as ever. The route celebrates Buddhist heritage, but it also represents a living tradition that draws individuals from all walks of life.
Join us as we explore the history of this pilgrimage and touch upon some of the highlights that walkers can expect on their journey.
If you’d like to experience an unforgettable walking trip in Japan, consider booking a place on our Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Tour.
Overview of the Shikoku Pilgrimage
The Spiritual Legacy of Kūkai
The Shikoku Pilgrimage is intimately connected to the revered Buddhist monk Kūkai, posthumously known as Kōbō Daishi. Born in 774 at Zentsū-ji (Temple 75) Kūkai’s journey to China and subsequent return to Japan marked the beginning of a significant era in Japanese Buddhism.
As a proponent of Esoteric Buddhism (where certain teachings can only be passed from teacher to student), he founded the Shingon school and established the monastic complex on Kōya-san. Kūkai’s influence is evident across Shikoku, where he is celebrated for founding or visiting many temples and creating numerous sacred images.
The Route and its Development
Spanning approximately 1,200 kilometers, the Shikoku Pilgrimage is a circular route that connects 88 officially recognized temples associated with Kūkai’s life and teachings. This journey, set against the backdrop of Shikoku’s natural beauty, offers pilgrims the opportunity to engage with the island’s fascinating history while enjoying its breathtaking natural landscapes. The pilgrimage evolved from the visits of devout wanderers to significant sites related to Kūkai, eventually formalizing into a structured path encompassing his birthplace, places of meditation, and places of religious significance.
A Journey of Varied Intentions
Traditionally, the Shikoku Pilgrimage was undertaken by practitioners of Shingon Buddhism. However, in contemporary times, the route is just as popular with international visitors searching for personal growth and a deep understanding of Japanese cultural traditions.
The pilgrimage is a reflective journey, encouraging participants to contemplate their lives and embrace life’s constant state of change. It also provides guests with ample opportunities to connect with local communities, meaning a uniquely authentic “insider” experience too often lost among the tourist crowds of Japan’s major cities.
Highlights of the Pilgrimage
Pilgrims, traditionally known as o-henro-san, journeying across Shikoku would historically have spent weeks walking with overnight stays almost exclusively at Shukubo temple lodgings. In the 21st century, there is a much greater variety of experiences available. Travelers can opt to walk a short section of the route while staying in first-class hotels, can make use of buses to visit specific points of interest or take a carefully curated tour, such as our own Shikoku 88 experience.
Patches of the original path remain, inviting modern-day pilgrims to don the traditional white garb, sedge hat, and walking stave – a profound interaction with centuries-old traditions.
For those not on a tour or with limited time, utilizing local transport facilitates access to these remnants of the ancient routes, providing the chance to experience tranquil forest trails, serene temple sites, and the legendary hospitality of Shikoku’s residents.
Kobo Daishi, or Kukai, was a seminal figure of the Heian period and the founder of the Shingon School of Buddhism. His legacy is the cornerstone of the pilgrimage. The connection between the pilgrimage and Koyasan, a major pilgrimage site on the mainland and a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers pilgrims a broader context of Kukai’s lasting place in Japanese culture.
Our Shikoku Tour begins with gentle, neighborhood walks in Tokushima visiting the first three temples to the challenging ascents and descents around Mt. Shosan-ji. Each day of the pilgrimage offers a different facet of Shikoku’s spiritual and natural beauty, from breathtaking hikes across the Nakagawa River to majestic views from cable cars gliding over cedar forests. This gives a good indication of the myriad experiences available along the Shikoku Pilgrimage’s trails.
Accommodations along the route range from traditional Shukubo lodgings to Ryokans and Western-style hotels. The route weaves through urban landscapes, rural hamlets, and into the heart of Shikoku’s wild places, with opportunities to relax in hot springs and savor traditional Japanese meals.
Food Along the Shikoku Pilgrimage
One of our favorite aspects of traveling in Japan is the opportunity to sample the nation’s unparalleled cuisine! During your Shikoku adventure, you can delight in the authentic flavors of Japan’s countryside, where the bounty of the sea meets the richness of the mountains.
Swept by the warm currents of the Kuroshio, the southern Kii Peninsula offers an abundance of fresh seafood, while its verdant mountains provide a storied tradition of culinary delights made from wild plants and locally reared livestock.
And given the region’s longstanding Buddhist traditions, vegetarians will find no shortage of mouthwatering meat-free options.
Shikoku
Embarking on the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage with Walk the Camino offers a unique adventure on Japan’s fourth-largest island.
We have worked to capture the essence of the pilgrimage, while also providing modern comfort and convenience. With us, you’ll get the perfect blend of quiet forest trails, wild scenery, and pathways through the region’s charming small towns.
Our route will cover as many of the 88 temples as possible without leaving guests feeling hurried. Included in the price are roundtrip travels from Osaka or Kyoto, seven nights of accommodation that capture the essence of traditional and modern Japanese hospitality, on-trip transport to navigate the island efficiently, two meals per day to fuel your journey, and five taxi rides to ensure seamless access to the pilgrimage’s most meaningful sites.
What are you waiting for? Embark on the trip of a lifetime in magical Japan! If you want a completely self-guided tour option in the Land of the Rising Sun, why not consider booking a spot on our Self-Guided Kumano Kodo Tour?
If you have any questions at all, please Get in Touch.
