Shikoku 88 Temple Hiking Tour, Japan

NOV 19, 2024 – DEC 01, 2024

Our journey through Japan’s fourth-largest island, Shikoku, was a deeply spiritual and unforgettable experience. This sacred island is home to the 88 Temple Pilgrimage Trail, a route that has drawn pilgrims for over 1,200 years and is closely connected to Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism. Though the full circuit spans more than a thousand kilometers, we embraced the essence of the pilgrimage through the kugiri-uchi experience—walking select sections of the ancient trail that wove through tranquil forests, serene countryside, and timeless temples.

Along the way, we encountered devoted Ohenro pilgrims in their white robes, each on their own sacred journey. Our adventure took us through all four prefectures of Shikoku—Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, and Kochi—each revealing its own unique landscapes, cuisine, and culture. We began with a stay on Mount Koya, Kobo Daishi’s sacred temple complex on Honshu, before continuing our exploration by private chartered vehicle and on foot. Evenings were spent in charming traditional inns, where we soaked in soothing onsen hot springs and savored exquisite regional cuisine crafted from local ingredients.

The Shikoku 88 Temple Hiking Tour was a journey of reflection, connection, and grace—one that touched the heart and nourished the soul.

Japan Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage