Discover the Shikoku Pilgrimage - a unique journey in Japan
The Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail is 1150 kilometres long and leads to 88 Buddhist temples spread across the island of Shikoku.
Some of the temples are located right by the sea, while others are secluded in the impressive mountains up to 900 metres above sea level. Many temples are located in the centre of the villages and towns of Shikoku’s four prefectures.
The Shikoku Pilgrimage Route was established more than 1200 years ago. Its origins go back to Kūkai, posthumously Kōbō Daishi (774-835), the visionary monk and founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.
The veneration of Kūkai has played an important role for pilgrims throughout the centuries to the present day.
The Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail is 1150 kilometres long and leads to 88 Buddhist temples spread across the island of Shikoku.
Some of the temples are located right by the sea, while others are secluded in the impressive mountains up to 900 metres above sea level. Many temples are located in the centre of the villages and towns of Shikoku’s four prefectures.
The Shikoku Pilgrimage Route was established more than 1200 years ago. Its origins go back to Kūkai, posthumously Kōbō Daishi (774-835), the visionary monk and founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan.
The veneration of Kūkai has played an important role for pilgrims throughout the centuries to the present day.
What is most important is not reaching the goal, but the journey itself. The warm hearts of the people you meet and the beautiful nature of Shikoku you see will perfectly complement your action of doing the pilgrimage.
(from: „Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide“)
Culture and nature, land and people of Shikoku have inspired me during my pilgrimages.
I would like to share this enthusiasm with you and encourage you to walk the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Even if you don’t speak Japanese and are not an experienced hiker.
If I can inspire you to make your way to Shikoku, I would be delighted.
- Planning, On the way
- Kuri
- Planning, On the way
- Kuri
- Planning, On the way
- Kuri
- Planning, Accommodation
- Kuri
- Planning, Accommodation
- Kuri
The Shikoku Pilgrimage today
The Shikoku Pilgrimage, or Shikoku Henro 四国遍路 in Japanese, was traditionally walked by pilgrims on foot. Today, however, only one to two per cent of the 150,000 pilgrims who make the journey each year still walk. The majority of pilgrims use modern means of transport. Bus, car, train, motorbike and bicycle.
It usually takes 40 to 45 days to walk the pilgrimage to all 88 main temples.
The route leads through all four prefectures of the island and passes by 20 side temples (bekkaku) that are historically associated with the pilgrimage.
For pilgrims who visit the 20 bekkaku temples in addition to the 88 main temples, the route is extended to 1350 kilometres and takes about 50 to 60 days.
Elevation profile of the Shikoku Pilgrimage Route
Many thanks to Matsushita-san, editor of the „Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide 2023“ for providing the elevation profile of the Shikoku Pilgrimage Route.
Tradition and individuality in harmony - each in its own way
Most pilgrims start their walk on Shikoku at temple number 1, “Ryōzenji”, in Tokushima Prefecture. They visit the other temples in Kōchi and Ehime prefectures in ascending order, ending at Temple 88, “Ōkuboji”, in Kagawa. However, pilgrims are free to start at any of the 88 temples. Local pilgrims often start at their home temple.
Nowadays, many, especially Japanese pilgrims, make the pilgrimage in several stages, sometimes over several years (kugiri-uchi). They walk parts of the route at weekends, during holidays or in public holiday weeks. After a break, they resume their walk where they last left off. The journey to the starting points is often made by public transport.
Traditionally, the entire pilgrimage was carried out without interruption (tōshi-uchi), not least because of the often long and arduous journey to Shikoku.
The main goal of most pilgrims was and is to visit all 88 temples (kechigan).
It does not matter in which order the temples are visited. The 88th temple a pilgrim visits becomes his or her “kechigan temple”. This could be the temple with the number 88, but also any other temple. Another interpretation is that Kechigan is reached when all 88 temples have been visited and the return to the starting temple has taken place. The “circle” is complete.
In either case, it is customary to travel on to Kōya-san and tell Kūkai about the successful pilgrimage.
The first pilgrimage
For a first pilgrimage on Shikoku, it is advisable to walk clockwise and visit the temples in ascending order (jun-uchi). In this direction, the path is well signposted and and you are less likely to get lost.
The counter-clockwise pilgrimage is the particularly difficult and therefore the most rewarding. The temples are visited in descending order (gyaku-uchi). Signposting in this direction is sparse and the correct routes are difficult to find.
Shikoku 四国 (four countries)
The smallest of Japan’s four main islands, Shikoku stretches up to 250 kilometres west-east and between 40 and 150 kilometres north-south. With an area of 18,300 km² and a population of four million.
The larger cities are located in the north of the island. Kōchi is the only major city in the south. Apart from these cities, Shikoku is predominantly rural.
In the north, the Seto Inland Sea separates Shikoku from the main island of Honshu. To the south is the Pacific Ocean.
| Prefecture | Population (approx.) | Capital | Population (approx.) | Temples | Trail length | Historical province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokushima (徳島県) | 730,000 | Tokushima | 260,000 | T1 - T23; T66 | 165 km | Awa |
| Kōchi (高知県) | 700,000 | Kōchi | 330,000 | T24 - T39 | 415 km | Tosa |
| Ehime (愛媛県) | 1,350,000 | Matsuyama | 510,000 | T40 - T65 | 390 km | Iyo |
| Kagawa (香川県) | 960,000 | Takamatsu | 420,000 | T67 - T88 | 175 km | Sanuki |
