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Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage self-guided 8 days

Mixed town roads (paved) and forest trails (unpaved) - the walk is strenuous at times, with days of up to 8 hours of hiking

  • Duration: 8 days
  • Trip level:
    Intermediate
    Level
  • Availability: Recommended from March to November
  • Type:Self-guided
    Level
  • Price: From USD 2,590(Price per person, based on 2 travellers sharing a room)
Highlights
  • Walk on the loveliest parts of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage trail in Tokushima, Kagawa, and Ehime
  • Visit some of the most atmospheric temples on the trail
  • Spend a night in a shukubo temple lodging
  • Sample authentic shojin ryōri Buddhist vegetarian cuisine
  • Bathe in natural thermal onsen waters in historic Dōgo Onsen
  • Climb the iconic ladder to the meditation spot used by Kōbō Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism

Shikoku is Japan's fourth-largest island, home to some of the country's most spectacular and undeveloped scenery. The island is also the setting for an ancient walking trail, the challenging Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples and the full walk covers more than a thousand kilometres.

Pilgrims known as ohenro traditionally covered the journey on foot over many weeks, staying overnight at shukubo temple lodgings. Most modern travellers now travel from temple to temple by tour bus, but we have found sections of the original route which can still be enjoyed on foot.

Please ask for information about tour extensions to the mountain-top temple town of Mount Kōya with its monastery lodgings, the art island of Naoshima or the UNESCO World Heritage of Miyajima Island, and Tomonoura Bay on the Setouchi inland sea.

Read about luggage options here.

Download PDF itinerary

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What is included
7 nights at Japanese inns on Shikoku Island
7 breakfasts and 6 dinners
Round-trip transportation from Kyōto or Ōsaka and 5 pre-paid taxis
Detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking directions and Shikoku Island guidebook
Topographical maps
Local support by telephone
Our Preparing for your trip and Travelling in Japan guidebooks
What is not included
Flights
Airport transfers
Drinks and meals not included in itinerary
Local bus journeys which must be paid directly to the bus driver and the cable car journey on Day 3
Single room supplement(s) for solo occupancy
Daily luggage transfer
Itinerary

Tour itineraries are subject to change. We will inform you of any amendments as soon as we become aware of them.