The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (2024)

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (1)

The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a 1,200-year-old, 1,200km pilgrimage to 88 Buddhist temples located on the island of Shikoku, Japan. Every year, about 150,000 pilgrims from Japan and around the world embark on this spiritual journey to experience the rich culture of Shikoku and bring home lasting memories.

Plan your pilgrimage by map

What is the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage?

The Shikoku Pilgrimage, also called the “Shikoku henro (四国遍路)” or the “88 pilgrimage,” is a historic Buddhist route, established over 1,200 years ago. Inspired by a monk named Kūkai (who founded Shingon Buddhism), the pilgrimage and its customs are deeply ingrained in the people of Shikoku, Japan’s way of life. Visitors are often moved by their legendary hospitality and osettai culture.

For many, the Shikoku Pilgrimage is a life-changing journey. Along the way, pilgrims can eat delicious local specialties, stay in traditional Japanese lodgings, visit awe-inspiring temples and shrines, experience Shikoku’s varied nature, meet other pilgrims from around the world, and reflect deeply on their lives.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage is traditionally walked, and many still chose to go on foot. It takes on average 45 days to complete the circuit this way. Others choose to travel by bicycle, motorcycle, car, or bus. Some pilgrims choose to do it in chunks, taking years to finish their journey. The main route takes travelers in a circle around the island, stopping at 88 temples along the way.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (3)

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (4)

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (5)

Tokushima

Temples 1-23

Tokushima is the prefecture on the east side of the island of Shikoku, Japan. The Shikoku Pilgrimage typically begins here at Temple 1 (Ryozenji). Tokushima is blessed with mountains and valleys, home to many unassuming villages. It is famous for its annual dance festival, Awa Odori, which takes place during the “Obon” season in mid-August. Awa Odori, with its colorful dances and vibrant music, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year from all over Japan.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (6)

Kochi

Temples 24-39

Kochi is the southernmost prefecture of Shikoku. Pilgrims usually spend more time in Kochi than any other prefecture during their pilgrimage, and temples here are very spread out. Kochi has a seemingly endless stretch of pretty shorelines, great surfing spots, and delicious produce. It is famous for yuzu citrus fruits, which are turned into drinks or used to flavor local dishes. Kochi’s skipjack tuna is also famous in Japan, and is delicacy served as sashimi, grilled, or canned across the country.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (7)

Ehime

Temples 40-65

Ehime Prefecture sits along the western side of Shikoku. It is full of beautiful sights, like the charming old town of Uchiko or the forests of ancient sugi and hinoki cypress trees in the Kuma Highlands. Pilgrims traveling in Ehime will pass through Matsuyama City, which is home to one of the oldest hot springs (onsen) in Japan. Matsuyama City is also known for its famous castle and vibrant shopping streets.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (8)

Kagawa

Temples 66-88

Kagawa is Japan’s smallest prefecture, located on the northeastern coast of Shikoku. It is known as the “Udon Prefecture” due to its famous sanuki udon noodles... a culinary staple with a hundred-plus year history. Kagawa’s capital city, Takamatsu, is a bustling port, dotted with shopping streets and surrounding Ritsurin Garden (one of Japan’s most renowned and beautiful gardens).

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (9)

What is an “o-henro-san (お遍路さん)?”

“Henro” is the Japanese word for a pilgrim walking the Shikoku Pilgrimage. “o-” and “-san” are both honorifics. O-henro-san is a respectful way to refer to someone completing the journey in Japanese, and it is heard quite often in Shikoku.

There are many customs and etiquettes that one should know before they become a pilgrim in Shikoku. Some of these are tradition, some are religious rites, and others are matters of politeness. For many, the pilgrimage presents a wonderful opportunity to leave their comfort zone and experience a very different rhythm of life.

What will I see in Shikoku?

Shikoku (四国), meaning “four kingdoms,” comprises four prefectures on an island in central Japan: Tokushima, Kochi, Ehime, and Kagawa. The pilgrimage route is diverse; it winds through quiet picturesque villages, along striking coastlines, across bustling modern cities, and up ancient misty mountains. Pilgrims will visit 23 temples in Tokushima, 16 in Kochi, 26 in Ehime, and 23 in Kagawa.

Shikoku is known for its powerful landscapes. Rugged mountains running east to west divide the island, and the southern part faces the expansive Pacific Ocean. Pockets of satoyama (里山), or foothill farm communities, are woven into the forests that surround them.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (10)

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (11)

Why do people do the Shikoku Pilgrimage?

Pilgrims go for many reasons. Traditionally, motives include the desire to experience an unnadultured version of Japanese cultural identity (“kokoro no furusato”, 心のふるさと); out of filial duty to dead kin; to gain merit for the afterlife; to become a better person; or simply, to go on an adventure to a respected and peaceful place. Very rarely, a pilgrim will walk to seek enlightenment.

More recently, pilgrims go for self-discovery. Common motives include the desire to feel an “authentic” version of a culture; to punctuate a great change in life, like leaving a job; to explore one’s own “spirituality”; to shut out the modern world for a while; to experience a bygone kind of travel; or simply, to “collect” a great adventure.

Older pilgrims are often retired, and travel with savings (or a pension) and ample time. Younger pilgrims are usually more austere, and seek the unique combination of experiences which only pilgrimages can provide.

How do I prepare for the Shikoku Pilgrimage?

While the Shikoku Pilgrimage is a physical and spiritual challenge, it is also a trial of planning and logistics. Before a pilgrim embarks on their journey, they must prepare gear, allocate budgets, and research Shikoku’s customs and dangers. During the pilgrimage, they must make and adjust plans on a daily basis. Something as simple as the weather can upend the journey.

We are here to guide you: when to go, where to stay, what to eat, how to stay safe, and an interactive map to help you travel well.

COVID-19 Information

Since October 11, 2022, Japan has allowed foreign nationals to enter Japan on short-term tourist visas. Pre-arranged package tours are no longer required to obtain a tourist visa. Please check whether a visa application is required for your nationality, and for any additional documents required to enter Japan.

If you are not a foreign national, please visit the official website of your country’s embassy or consulate in Japan for further details. More information here

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (12)

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (13)The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (14)

Estimate your pilgrimage expenses:

  • Pilgrim gear & supplies
  • Lodging
  • Food
  • Transportation
  • WIFI & services

Featured Places

KongofukujiTemple 38 – 金剛福寺Main TempleShimanto River Bridge四万十川橋Point of InterestMikurodo Cave御厨人窟Point of InterestShosanjiTemple 12 – 焼山寺Main TempleJorenan浄蓮庵Religious PlaceOkubojiTemple 88 – 大窪寺Main TempleKakurinjiTemple 20 – 鶴林寺Main TempleMaeyama Ohenro Koryu Salon前山おへんろ交流サロンPoint of InterestRoadside Station Itano道の駅 いたのRoadside StationDaihojiTemple 44 – 大宝寺Main TempleUchiko Historical Street内子の旧街道「八日市・護国の街並み」Point of InterestKamojima Hot Spring鴨島温泉Public Bathhouse

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

How do I complete the Shikoku Pilgrimage?

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (39)The “standard” way of completing the pilgrimage is to visit all 88 temples. Pilgrims usually start from Temple 1 – Ryozenji (霊山寺), circle the island in sequential order while visiting each temple along the way, and then end up at Temple 1 again. Some people choose to visit some or all of the 20 bekkaku temples along the way.

However, depending on their work schedules or familial needs, some pilgrims choose to complete the pilgrimage in chunks (for example, one prefecture at a time, completing the whole thing in 4 separate trips).

Many Japanese pilgrims choose to visit the temples in groups via bus tours. There are several major travel agencies in Japan that specialize in pilgrimage buses. There are still others who travel by car, taxi, motorcycle, or bicycle. Compared to pilgrims who use transportation, walking pilgrims are becoming more rare.

More experienced ohenro sometimes do the pilgrimage in reverse! This is called gyaku-uchi (逆打ち), and is regarded as more difficult due to the lack of guides and signs along the way.

How long does it take to complete the Shikoku Pilgrimage?

The length of your pilgrimage will depend on several factors, the obvious being your health and weather conditions.

The biggest factor determining the number of days it takes pilgrims to complete their journeys is their mode of transport:

  • On foot: 35-60 days
  • By bicycle: 9-12 days
  • By taxi and/or public transportation: 8-9 days
  • By car: 9-10 days
  • By bus tour: 12-13 days

How can I book accommodations on the Shikoku Pilgrimage if I don’t speak Japanese?

Due to the increase of pilgrims in recent years, pilgrims are advised to make reservations at least 3-4 days ahead, or even more during busy seasons.

There are a few ways for pilgrims to secure their accommodations – for non-Japanese speakers, here’s what we recommend starting from the most convenient ways:

  1. Search for accommodations on an online platform. The most popular for the Shikoku Pilgrimage are Booking.com and Rakuten, though they are mostly concentrated on mid to larger cities. We link to various booking platforms on many of our place pages, such as this guesthouse in Tokushima.
  2. Henro House is a convenient and reliable resource for pilgrims, offering affordable guesthouses from small towns to larger cities along the Shikoku Pilgrimage routes. They have an English version of their site with online reservations forms.
  3. Many minshuku and ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) will only accept reservations by phone. If you wish to stay at one of these places, we recommend you ask your host at your current stay, or temple staff and other pilgrims along the way to assist you.
  4. If you plan on bringing camping gear, there are a few official campgrounds along the Shikoku Pilgrimage routes. Most of them are very reasonably priced or donations-based. Please read our notice to learn about the rules and customs on sleeping outdoors in Shikoku.

Do I have to be Buddhist to do the Shikoku Pilgrimage?

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (40)No, you do not have to be Buddhist to embark on the pilgrimage. That said, you should have an appreciation and tolerance for Buddhist beliefs and traditions. Customs surrounding the pilgrimage are ingrained in the culture of Shikoku, especially in areas along the main route. Osettai, for example, is the practice of giving to pilgrims, often in the form of food, lodging, or small monetary gifts. The purpose of it is to show appreciation to those who put themselves on a challenging journey, and to partake in the journey and collect karma.

To complete the pilgrimage, you will have to visit all 88 temples. While there are no requirements to partake in the traditions or activities at each temple per se, participation is important for the pilgrim experience. For example, cleansing oneself before entering, paying respect at each shrine, chanting sutras, and collecting your nokyo stamp. Remember: leaving one’s comfort zone and trying something new can be a transformative and eye-opening experience.

How much does the Shikoku Pilgrimage cost?

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (41)You will have to factor in the necessities when cost planning, like transportation, lodging, and food. Other expenses can include temple purchases, pilgrim gear, and hot springs.

Luckily, we’ve made planning easy – check out our free cost calculator to get an immediate estimate of total expenses!

Do I have to wear the “official” pilgrim attire?

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (42)There is no hard requirement to wear any part of the pilgrim attire to be a Shikoku Henro. However, wearing pilgrim garb is a useful indication to people in the area that you are a pilgrim. It can also serve practical purposes – for example, during high temperatures, wearing a wide hat and thin white cover can protect you from the heat and sunburn. The walking staff, which has bells attached to it, can scare away animals in the wild before they are encountered.

What happens at the end of my pilgrimage?

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (43)While there is no ceremony at the finish line, one can visit the Ohenro Koryu Salon (おへんろ交流サロン) before Temple 88 to attain their “Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Henro Ambassador” certificate. This certificate of completion is only issued to walking and bicycle pilgrims. You will additionally receive a “badge” (a small pin). Pins for walking pilgrims are red, and are green for bicycle pilgrims. The Salon changes the color of the certificate each year.

Even if one does not intend to get a certificate, stopping into the cultural center is worth it: it hosts a small museum full of historical artifacts and a large diorama of Shikoku. Additionally, the data they collect on pilgrims is essential in sustaining the Shikoku pilgrimage and its surrounding economy.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (44)At Temple 88 (大窪寺), pilgrims will also be able to purchase a certificate called the “kechi-gan-shō” (結願証) for ¥2,000 (without a frame). This ornate document signifies the “fulfillment of one’s wish”. Pilgrims also often leave behind their walking stick at this final temple as a symbolic gesture. One will see a graveyard of walking sticks there in a glass enclosure.

Pilgrims who have been collecting calligraphy stamps from each temple along the way should have a full book of stamps in their nokyocho, as well as a great sense of accomplishment. Congratulations!

The Shikoku Pilgrimage: Maps, Guides, and More (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6039

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.