Description

Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide 2024

The Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide covers Japan’s most famous pilgrimage route, a 1,200 km loop around the island of Shikoku.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage – Shikoku Henro or Shikoku Junrei is a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai on the island of Shikoku, Japan. A popular and distinctive feature of the island’s cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims (known as henro) still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic, pious, and tourism-related purposes.

The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, or motorcycles. The standard walking course is approximately 1,200 kilometres long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete.

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s major islands.  Shikoku’s major cities include Matsuyama, home to 8 of the pilgrimage temples, plus feudal Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s earliest known hot-spring spas. The island’s mountainous interior has hiking trails and rivers with whitewater rapids.

This guide features detailed, colour maps in English of the route, with information on the 88 temples and local sights.