The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples and the full route covers more than a thousand kilometres. This website is dedicated to those interested in learning more about the Shikoku Pilgrimage, and provides useful information to primarily walking pilgrims. Henriette’s reflection on her recent walk on Il Cammino Di San Benedetto has much resonance for us and perhaps for future pilgrims coming to Bonnevaux “Having the health and the strength to walk a pilgrimage is already a blessing. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Suggested from March to November. COVID-19: Please see Oku Japan's response here. Can Only Henro Walk the Shikoku Pilgrimage? Walking as a Pilgrim. Village-to-village walking on the Nakasendo Trail with five hikes of 1-6 hours, Village-to-village walking on the Kii Peninsula with five hikes of 2-7 hours. Info. Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Slide Show for iPad and iPhone. Tag Archives: Walking. The word “pilgrimage” is sure to elicit images of devout religiosity and is more likely to make you think of Europe’s “El Camino” rather than a walk through nature in Japan. Our 4-day tour is the easiest option, classified as ‘Active’. Shikoku is Japan's fourth-largest island, home to an ancient walking trail, the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. Get our latest news and offers delivered right to your inbox, Booking with Oku Japan - Frequently asked questions. The full pilgrimage trail is actually over 750 miles and takes 30-60 days of walking, however, we have created two trips that focus on the best parts of the route. For that reason, when coming to a bridge, Shikoku pilgrims are often reminded that Kobo Daishi may be sleeping under this bridge, and to walk carefully across it without using their walking stick so as not to wake him. It is principally famous for the 1,200 km 88 Temple Pilgrimage, associated with the Buddhist monk Kukai (774-835), that circles the whole island. [1] The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, or motorcycles. To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order; in some cases it is even considered lucky[citation needed] to travel in reverse order. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples and the full walk covers more than a thousand kilometres. Read our help section to find out the answer to your questions: Booking with Oku Japan - Frequently asked questions. Making Pilgrimages: Meaning and Practice in Shikoku. Kagawa Prefecture, Final Leg (Temples 68 – 88) Day 45 (Sunday, 3 May) Temples 68,69,70,71. This Buddhist pilgrimage follows almost the entire circumference of the island, spanning nearly 1200km and visiting 88 temples (even more if you include Bangai temples). The Shikoku pilgrimage is arguably Japan's best-known pilgrimage route, and certainly its biggest pilgrimage-challenge: a 1,150km or so, 1,200 year old pilgrimage linking 88 (a lucky number) temples in a sacred circuit in the footsteps of the monk-saint Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) into the heart of Japanese Shingon Buddhism. The full pilgrimage trail is 750miles and takes 30-60 days of walking, however, we are aware that this is not possible for most people, so we have created … Our 5-day and 8-day tours offer the most demanding walking and classified as ‘Challenging’. These are also the most attractive parts of the pilgrimage trail, offering superb views as you make your way up and down the mountains of Shikoku. [8], The pilgrim's traditional costume comprises a white shirt (白衣, oizuru), conical Asian hat (すげ笠, suge-kasa), and staff (金剛杖, kongō-zue). [6] In the Edo period, the policy of tochi kinbaku (土地緊縛) restricted and regulated the movement of ordinary people.