Start from Kyoto or Osaka and travel by long-distance bus to Tokushima Prefecture. Begin your pilgrimage with a gentle introduction to the walks on Shikoku through quiet neighbourhoods of Tokushima. Visit three of the most eyecatching temples on the whole trail – Temple 1, Ryozen-ji; Temple 2, Gokuraku-ji; and Temple 3, Konsen-ji. Spend your first night as all pilgrims should – with a stay in a shukubo temple lodging. There is also the option of staying at a city-centre ryokan for this first night.

Walking distance: 5.8 km / 3.6 mi
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 2 hours

An optional additional walk along paved roads to Temple 7, Juraku-ji, can extend the day by 3 km / 1.9 mi and around 45 minutes.

Accommodation: Shukubo (temple lodging) or ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
Meals: Dinner

Travel south from your temple lodging by prebooked and pre-paid taxi to Temple 11, Fujii-dera, which is located at the bottom of a fascinating hillside temple complex. From Fujii dera Temple, undertake a challenging hike to Temple 12, Shosanji. Although the full walk is one of the longest and most strenuous on the tour, it is rewarding with beautiful scenery. Walk onwards to Yorii and board a bus to the small onsen village of Kamiyama and your inn for the evening.

Walking distance: 19.2 km / 11.9 mi
Elevation gain: 1,330 m / 4,365 ft of ascent and 1,210 m / 3,970 ft of descent
Time required: About 7-8 hours

You can reduce the walk to 5-6 hours (14.1 km / 8.8 mi) and avoid the first half of the strenuous ascent up Mount Shosan-ji. Simply pay locally to extend the taxi ride on the day – no need to decide in advance. Temple 3: Konsen-ji Temple Travel by

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn) or Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Travel by pre-paid taxi to one of the most beautiful and varied hikes on the entire 88 Pilgrimage route. From Temple 20, Kakurin-ji, the trail descends to the hamlet of Anan, crosses the Nakagawa River, and climbs again to Temple 21, Tairyu-ji. End the day with a cable car ride with wonderful views over a cedar forest and the small town below. Travel by bus to your accommodation for the evening.

Walking distance: 8.2 km / 5.1 mi
Elevation gain: 460m / 1,510 feet ascent and 470m / 1,540 feet descent
Time required: About 3-4 hours

The walk can be extended to about 5 hours for travellers staying in Tokushima city. Please enquire if you would like to undertake this longer option.

Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Leaving Tokushima, travel by bus and a pre-paid taxi to a rewarding hike in northern Kagawa Prefecture. Walk through lovely scenery and visit a fine collection of temples: Temple 82, Negoro-ji; Temple 81, Shiromine-ji; and finally Temple 80, Kokubun-ji. Travel onwards by train for an overnight stay in the old hot spring town of Kotohira Spa.

Walking distance: 13.5 km / 8.4 mi
Elevation gain: 335m / 1,100 feet ascent and 655m / 2,150 feet descent
Time required: About 5 hours

The walk can be shortened by 1.5 hours (5.4 km / 3.4 mi) by omitting the round-trip section to Temple 81, Shiromine-ji.

Accommodation: Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Leaving Kagawa, travel by train to Imabari in northern Ehime and begin your hike to Temple 57, Eifuku-ji. The walk gradually passes from urban townscape to rural farming communities before entering a forest with a steady climb to Temple 58, Senyū-ji. There is also an optional detour to Temple 56, Taisan-ji. Overnight at Senyū-ji Temple in the shukubo lodging at the temple, or alternatively stay in a Western-style hotel in Imabari City.

Walking distance: 4.4 km / 2.7 mi
Elevation gain: 250 m / 820 ft ascent and negligible descent
Time required: About 1.5 hours

Accommodation: Shukubo (temple lodging) or Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

The hike continues with a gentle walk down the mountain from Senryu-ji Temple, with the opportunity to explore small village settlements on the way. Return to the town of Imabari, with an optional paved town hike on to Temple 59, Iyo Kokubun-ji, and continue onwards to Matsuyama by train and overnight in Dogo Onsen.

Walking distance: 4.4 km / 2.7 mi
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and 250 m / 820 feet descent
Time required: About 1 hour

An optional paved walk of 4.1 km (2.5 mi) can also extend the hike by a further 1.5 hours.

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Head south by bus and pre-paid taxi from Matsuyama to Temple 45, Iwaya-ji, a temple closely linked to Kōbō Daishi, the priest who founded Shingon Buddhism and temple settlement of Mount Koya. Climb the iconic ladder to his meditation spot, with its spectacular views over the surrounding region. From Iwaya-ji Temple, enjoy a lovely forest hike to Temple 44, Daiho-ji, before returning by bus to Matsuyama in the evening. Overnight in Dogo Onsen.

Walking distance: 11.7 km / 7.3 mi
Elevation gain: 650 m / 2,130 ft ascent and 580 m / 1,900 ft descent
Time required: About 4 hours

Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

The tour ends with a rewarding hike in the east of Ehime Prefecture. Travel by bus and pre paid taxi from Matsuyama to reach the trail and walk to Temple 60, Yokomine-ji; Temple 61, Kōon-ji; and onwards to Temple 62, Hoju-ji. The walk passes through a rural area of Shikoku and the temples are in lovely natural settings. After the hike, travel onwards by train to the Kansai area, arriving mid-evening.

Walking distance: 13.7 km / 8.5 mi
Elevation gain: 620 m / 2,050 ft ascent and 870 m / 3,850 ft descent
Time required: About 4-5 hours

You can reduce the hike by about one hour to 11.3 km / 7 mi, avoiding the first uphill section. Simply pay locally to extend the taxi ride to Temple 60, Yokomine-ji. Choose on the day – no need to decide in advance.

Meals: Breakfast