The fourth-largest of Japan's islands, Shikoku is home to the 88 Temple Pilgrimage Trail. Fascinating aspects of this deeply spiritual route include how little is known of its origins, and its mysterious connection with Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism. Pilgrims have walked the trails for 1200 years and even today we will see pilgrims in their distinctive attire and white cloaks throughout the island. The full pilgrimage route encircles Shikoku and connects 88 Buddhist temples, covering more than a thousand kilometers. Pilgrims, known in Japanese as Ohenro, traditionally did the journey from temple to temple on foot over many weeks. However, we do not have a couple free months to make the trek, so we will visit fewer temples at this time, which is called kugiri-uchi.
 
Our tour selects the best of the walking trails through lovely landscapes. We visit all four of Shikoku's prefectures - Tokushima in the east, Kagawa in the north, Ehime in the west, and Kochi in the south. Each region has its own distinctive character, foods and scenery. We begin our journey with a stay on Mount Koya, the hilltop temple complex on Honshu established by Kobo Daishi, and an important location for Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage devotees. Public transport in the rural areas of Shikoku is limited and we will travel mainly by private chartered vehicle, but we will still enjoy walking along the ancient route from temple to temple through countryside and forest. We will stay in traditional country inns enjoying regional cuisine prepared from local ingredients from the island, soak in natural hot springs, and enjoy the exceptional hospitality of our hosts.
 
Pilgrimage Routes: A whole loop through all 4 prefectures – Tokushima in the east, Kagawa in the north, Ehime in the west, and Kochi in the south.
 
Type and trip level: This tour features 9 days of walking and hiking from 2.5 to 5 hours per day, on quiet town and country roads and unpaved forest trails. This tour is suitable for those who are fit and can walk over rough ground for up to 5 hours. While on the trails you carry a small to medium daypack.
 
Travel Date: 11/19/24 – 12/01/24
 
Price: $6,885
 
Trip Highlights:
Walk on the loveliest parts of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage trail
Stay in monastery lodgings in the temple town of Mount Koya
Eat wonderful local food prepared by the monastery's monks or local hosts
Walk across a bridge of vines in the remote Iya Valley
Bathe in natural thermal waters at historic Dogo Onsen
Visit the beautiful hill-top castle in Matsuyama
Shikoku is known for a variety of delicious foods. Slurp steaming bowls of udon noodles, savor dishes made with sudachi (a type of citrus fruit), and enjoy fresh seafood to fuel your journey.
Itinerary at a Glance:
 
Day 1 & 3 (Tue, 11/19 – Thu, 11/21): LAX – KIX, Osaka
Day 3 (Thu, 11.21): Arrival in KIX, take the ferry from Wakayama to Tokushima city (Tokushima prefecture) (D)
Day 4 (Fri, 11.22): Temple 1 - 6 (B.D)
Day 5 (Sat, 11.23): Temple 11 - 12 (B.D)
Day 6 (Sun, 11.24): Temple 24 - 26 ( Kochi prefecture) (B.D)
Day 7 (Mon, 11.25): Temple 31 (B.D)
Day 8 (Tue, 11.26): Temple 32 - 33 (Ehime prefecture) (B.D)
Day 9 (Wed, 11.27): Temple 49 - 51 (Kagawa prefecture) (B.D)
Day 10 (Thu, 11.28): Temple 66 - 69 (B.D)
Day 11 (Fri, 11.29): Temple 71 - 75 (B.D)
Day 12 (Sat, 11.30): Temple 84-86 – Tokushima (B.L.D)
Day 13 (Sun, 12.01): Tokushima – Koyasan – KIX – LAX (B)
 
Price Includes:
International flights from LAX – KIX – LAX
Full-time services of an English-speaking mountain guide
Lodging Includes traditional ryokan inns, minshuku (similar B&B), hotels, and shukubo temple lodging (which can allow visitors to observe and participate in temple rituals). Some accommodations also have onsen so we can enjoy a relaxing soak.
Daily breakfast, daily dinners and 2 lunches
Private pick up and drop off from and to airport
All transportation between tour locations
Entrance to museums, temples and other sights on the group's itinerary
Forwarding of one item of luggage to next locations
Price Excludes:
Travel insurance
Tipping: $10 person/day for driver(s) and guide(s). To be collected prior to the trip
Personal expenses/meals/sightseeing that are not listed in itinerary