At a Glance
Curated for avid hikers, connect with enlightening spirits as you journey Japan's Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage Trail, carefully selecting the best walks and accommodations along the route in Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehime. Embark on spiritual self-guided walks by day and experience an authentic pilgrimage journey, staying in traditional Minshuku, Ryokan, and Shukubo temple lodging offering delicious regional cuisine and natural hot springs. From dramatic scenery, ancient paths to awe inspiring history; escape to a truly quintessential Japanese experience on this 11 days Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail that will leave you enlightened.
Begin your spiritual journey in Osaka, where you’ll journey by express train to Kyoto city. Spend a day exploring the delights and natural wonders of Japan’s former capital boasting tranquil temples and gardens and traditional teahouses. From Day 3, you begin your ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 10 nights’ accommodation in 4* hotels and Japanese-style inns (ryokan/minshuku/shukobu)
- All meals as specified
- Management by your local Headwater appointed agent
- Route directions and maps
- Bus tickets from Kyoto to start of trail and from end of trail to Osaka
- Pre booked and pre-paid taxis on days 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10
Itinerary
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Today, you’ll arrive at Osaka Kansai International Airport where you’ll make your own way to Kyoto City via a 70 minutes express train. Then, take a short local taxi ride to your hotel this evening. Your home for the next two nights is a classy, modern hotel that perfectly fuses art and tradition in a seamless manner, located in the heart of Kyoto. Unwind at the bar or indulge in local and western cuisine with a modern twist at its casual restaurant. |
Royal Park Hotel Sanjo, Kyoto
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Enjoy a rest day in the incredible city of Kyoto, famous for its Buddhist temples, tranquil gardens, and traditional tea houses. Experience unique zen minimalism and golden glamour in the majestic Kinkakuji Temple, a structure built by a powerful overlord. Light incense, offer your prayers and ring the glorious bells with their special pulls. Feel the historic moments embedded in the Kiyomizu-dera temple, built to honour the goddess of mercy, Kannon, and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be captivated by the intricate details that make up the architectural marvels. If you’d prefer to go a bit further, you can venture to the historical city of Nara, a thriving destination full of cultural treasures approx. 1 hour from Kyoto by train. A temple of note here is the Tōdai-ji Temple, one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara and the home to a variety of marvellous structures including the Great Buddha Hall, donned the largest wooden structure in the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also the headquarters of the Kevin School of Buddhism. |
Royal Park Hotel Sanjo, KyotoBreakfast |
Level 1, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), 1-2 hours walking Savour a delightful breakfast before journeying by a long-distance bus (included) to Tokushima Prefecture with a gentle introduction to the walks on Shikoku through quiet neighbourhoods of Tokushima. Marvel at three of the most captivating temples of the whole Shikoku trail - Temple 1 Ryozen-ji, Temple 2 Gokuraku-ji and Temple 3 Konsen-ji, standing near the foot of the Sanuki Mountains in the Tokushima rift valley. See the Niō Gate, the pond filled with kaleidoscopic carp, the Thirteen Buddha Hall, the main halls, and the large gardens. Spend your night in the way of the pilgrims with a stay in a Shukubo temple lodging. Unwind in cosy ryokan-like rooms before tantalising on Buddhist ‘Shojin-Ryori’ cuisine. There is also the option of staying at a traditional Ryokan for the night. |
Shukubo Temple Lodging or Ryokan, TokushimaBreakfast, Dinner |
Level 3, Approx. 24 km (15 miles), 3-5 hours walking Wake up to a lovely breakfast this morning. Travel south by pre-booked and prepaid taxi to Temple 11 Fujii-dera, a spectacular hillside temple complex named after the wisteria that grows there. After taking your time to explore the grounds, your taxi will bring you up to Ryusian Temple, part-way up the mountain en-route to Shosan-ji. From there walk up the rest of the mountain to Temple 12 Shosan-ji, then finally descend to the east. The walk is somewhat strenuous, but quite rewarding with magnificent scenery. Walk onwards to Yorii and board a bus to the small onsen village of Kamiyama and your inn for the evening. You’ll stay at a Minshuku Guesthouse that is family-run and offers simple Japanese warmth in a traditional-style building. Relax on your tatami-mat rooms, with futons. Most minshuku do not have en-suite bathrooms as they are in older traditional wooden buildings. Toilet and bathing facilities may be shared. |
Minshuku Guesthouse or Ryokan, KamiyamaBreakfast, Dinner |
Level 1, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), 1-2 hours walking After breakfast this morning, start your adventure with a scenic taxi ride to one of the most beautiful and varied hikes on the entire Pilgrimage route. Reach Temple 20 Kakurin-ji “crane grove temple”, explore the many interesting details. From here, descend on the trail to the hamlet of Anan, cross the Nakagawa River and climb back up to Temple 21 Tairyuu-ji. Praise yourself for making it to one of the “nansho”, one of the tough temples to reach on foot. End the day of adventure with a thrilling cable car ride showcasing wonderful views over a cedar forest and the small town below. Afterwards, travel by bus to your homely and simply Japanese Minshuku Guesthouse or Ryokan in Tokushima. |
Minshuku Guesthouse or Ryokan, TokushimaBreakfast, Dinner |
Level 2, Approx. 12 km (7 miles), 2-3 hours walking After breakfast today, you’ll leave Tokushima by taking the train, bus, and a pre-booked and prepaid taxi to the rewarding hike in the Northern Kagawa prefecture. Walk through lovely scenery and visit the fine collection of temples - Temple 82, standing at 365 m on the side of Mt. Aomine, part of the Goshikidai plateau overlooking the city of Takamatsu, Temple 81, standing at 280 m above sea level on the hillside of Shiromine in Sakaide, Temple 80, the home to the largest Kannon statue on Shikoku, featuring 11 faces and 42 arms. Travel onwards by train for an overnight stay in the old hot-spring town of Kotohira spa in a quaint traditional Japanese ryokan. |
Ryokan, Kotohira SpaBreakfast, Dinner |
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), 1-2 hours walking Enjoy a delectable breakfast this morning, afterwards, set out for Betsumyo in Northern Ehime by train and bus and begin your hike to Temple 57 Eifuku-ji, set in a beautiful bamboo grove. Notice how the walk gradually changes from urban townscape to rural farming communities before entering a forest with a steady climb to Temple 58 Senyū ji, a towering and impressive temple standing on a hillside. After visiting Temples 57 and 58, there is an option to detour to Temple 56 Taisan ji. Tonight, you’ll be staying in the Shukubo peaceful pilgrims lodgings at Senyū ji, or you could opt for a western-style hotel in the thriving city of Imabari. |
Shukubo Temple Lodging or Hotel in ImabariBreakfast,Dinner |
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), 1-2 hours walking Start your adventure after breakfast this morning with a gentle walk down the mountain from Senyū-ji, marvel at the stunning views that accompany you and perhaps explore the small village settlements on the way. Return to the lovely town of Imabari, with an optional paved town hike to Temple 59 Iyo Kokubun, the only temple of the pilgrimage belonging to the Shingon Ritsu Sect. Take the train at the end of your walk in Iyo-Tomita to Matsuyama, followed by a tram to Dogo Onsen where you’ll be staying overnight in a tranquil Ryokan. |
Ryokan, Dogo OnsenBreakfast, Dinner |
Level 2, Approx. 11 km (7 miles), 2-3 hours walking After a hearty breakfast, take a prepaid taxi from your ryokan to Temple 45 Iwaya-ji, a temple closely linked to Kōbō Dashi, the priest who founded Shingon Buddhism and Mount Koyo. Climb the iconic ladder to this meditation spot, offering breathtaking views over the surrounding region. From Iwaya-ji, enjoy a lovely forest hike to Temple 44 Dairo-ji, the Temple of Great Treasure, nestled in a forest of ancient sugi and hinoki cypress trees in the Kumi Highland area. Afterwards, return by bus and tram to Dogo Onsen in the evening |
Ryokan, Dogo OnsenBreakfast, Dinner |
Level 2, Approx. 13 km (8 miles), 2-3 hours walking Start your penultimate day and the end to your pilgrimage with yet another delightful breakfast. The beginning of the end starts with a rewarding hike in the east of Ehime prefecture. Travel by tram and bus to Ooto, then take a prepaid taxi to reach the starting point. Walk to Temple 60 Yokomine-ji, an affiliate temple of the holy mountain Mt. Ishizuchi, and one of the most difficult temples to reach. After make your way to Temple 61 Kōon-ji and onwards to Temple 62, the temple of Wealth and Happiness, a feeling that you’re sure to experience walking here. The walk passes through a rural area of Shikoku and the temples are in dazzling natural settings. After the walk, travel further by train to Osaka, arriving mid-evening for your final night. Tonight, you’ll be staying at Hotel Monterey Grasmere, a 4-star modern hotel located in the heart of Osaka, offering an aura of refined elegance. Unwind in your ensuite room boasting views of Osaka city or retire at the tea lounge. For those in pursue of some adventure, can venture into the Dotonbori Shopping Street, a 10 minutes’ walk, for an array of quaint cafes and restaurants. |
Hotel Monterey Grasmere, OsakaBreakfast |
Savour one last breakfast, a perfect time to reflect on your incredible journey before taking the train from Osaka Namba Nankai station to Osaka Kansai Airport (approx. 35mins). NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
None BreakfastDates & Prices
Daily departure on request only. The published price is price guide. Please contact us for availability checking and quote. Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Osaka
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Osaka.
- Airport transfers are via train and not included.
Shikoku enjoys a humid subtropical climate (without dry season and with hot summer) in accordance with the Köppen-Geiger classification. The yearly average maximum temperature in Shikoku is 20°C (ranging from 10°C in January to 30°C in august). Annual rainfall is 2542mm, with a minimum of 91mm in January and a maximum of 365mm in June.
The walking level on this trip is rated Level 3 Moderate.
Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (600m).
Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m).
Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).
Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or ‘split’ grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.
- Hotels: Modern western-style hotels are used. The rooms are generally smaller than equivalent hotels in the West. All have en-suite facilities, air-conditioning, TV, and fridges in rooms.
- Shukubo: These are lodgings in Buddhist temples originally meant for pilgrims, but now open to anyone. The rooms are similar to Ryokan or Minshuku, though with fewer facilities. The food is excellent vegetarian Buddhist ‘Shojin-Ryori’ cuisine. It is a wonderful experience to stay in a Shukubo and there is often the opportunity to join the early morning religious service.
- Ryokan: Ryokan are traditional Japanese-style inns. They may be in modern concrete or older wooden buildings, but the rooms are always in the Japanese style with tatami (straw) matting and futons laid out in the evening by the ryokan staff. Evening meals are served together usually in the dining room and are exquisitely prepared multicourse meals. Many ryokans have both en-suite bathrooms (except for some older buildings) and communal hot spring style baths. They are the classic Japanese experience.
- Minshuku: Minshuku are usually family-run traditional Japanese-style inns. They have tatami-mat rooms, with futons laid out in the evening for sleeping. Most minshuku do not have en-suite bathrooms as they are in older traditional wooden buildings. Compared with a ryokan, they are usually (but not always) slightly less formal, but the service and food* are just as good.
At these the inns and Shukubo, futon bedding on tatami mat is provided; toilet and bathing facilities may be shared.
Most meals will be Japanese cuisine. Vegetarian options are available but limited. Strict vegetarian diets, vegan diets, or gluten free diets will be difficult to accommodate due to the pervasiveness of the fish-based stock dashi and the use of soy sauce and miso in Japanese cuisine. Tips are not required when dining in Japan.
