Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage self-guided in Tokushima and Kagawa (5 days)
Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage self-guided in Tokushima and Kagawa (5 days)
Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage self-guided in Tokushima and Kagawa (5 days)
5 Days Starting and ending in Kyoto or Osaka
Visiting: Kyoto, Naruto Nishi, Mima, Temple No. 12 - Shōsan-ji, Kamiyama, Tokushima, Takamatsu, Kotohira
Tour operator:
Tour code:
68
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
High, Challenging
Age range:
0-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
From:
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Tour Overview
A hike through spectacular scenery, with beautiful temples, terrific Onsen baths and delicious traditional cuisine on the ancient 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Tokushima and Kagawa Prefectures at the north-east tip of Shikoku Island. Start from Kyoto or Osaka, spend 4 nights on Shikoku (with 4 days of hiking) and return to Kyoto or Osaka Shikoku is Japan's fourth-largest island, home to some of the country's most spectacular and undeveloped scenery. The island is also the setting for an ancient walking trail, the challenging Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples and the full walk covers more than a thousand kilometres. Pilgrims, known as O-henro, traditionally covered the journey on foot over many weeks, staying overnight at Shukubo temple lodgings. Most modern travellers now travel from temple to temple by tour bus, but we have found sections of the original route which can still be enjoyed on foot.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Tokushima (Temples 1 To 3)
Location: Kyoto, Naruto Nishi, Mima
Accommodation: Shukubo (Pilgrims Lodging) or Ryokan (Travellers Inn)
Meals Included: Dinner
Start from Kyoto or Osaka and travel by long-distance bus to Tokushima Prefecture. Begin your pilgrimage with a gentle introduction to the walks on Shikoku through quiet neighbourhoods of Tokushima. Visit three of the most eye-catching temples on whole trail - Temple 1 Ryozen-ji, Temple 2 Gokuraku-ji and Temple 3 Konsen-ji. Spend your first night as all pilgrims should - with a stay in a Shukubo Temple Lodging. There is also the option of staying at a city-centre Ryokan for this first night.
Walking distance: 5.8km / 3.6 miles
Elevation gain: Negligible ascent and descent
Time required: About 2 hours
An optional additional walk along paved roads to Temple 7 Juraku-ji can extend the day by 3km / 1.9 miles and around 45 minutes.
Day 2 : Tokushima (Temples 11 To 12)
Location: Mima, Temple No. 12 - Shōsan-ji, Kamiyama
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Travellers Inn) or Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel south from your Shukubo pilgrims lodging by pre-booked and pre-paid taxi to Temple 11 Fujii-dera, located at the bottom of a fascinating hillside temple complex. From Fujii-dera undertake a challenging hike to Temple 12 Shosan-ji. The full walk is one of the longest and most strenuous on the tour, but very rewarding with beautiful scenery. Walk onwards to Yorii and board a bus to the small Onsen village of Kamiyama and your inn for the evening.
Walking distance: 19.2km / 11.9 miles
Elevation gain: 1,330m / 4,365 feet of ascent and 1,210m / 3,970 feet of descent
Time required: About 7-8 hours
You can reduce the walk to 5-6 hours (14.1km / 8.8 miles) and avoid the first half of the strenuous ascent up Mt. Shosan-ji. Simply pay locally to extend the taxi ride on the day - no need to decide in advance.
Day 3 : Tokushima (Temples 20 To 21)
Location: Kamiyama, Tokushima
Accommodation: Accommodation: Ryokan (Travellers Inn) or Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel by pre-paid taxi to one of the most beautiful and varied hikes on the entire 88 Pilgrimage route. From Temple 20 Kakurin-ji the trail descends to the hamlet of Anan, crosses the Nakagawa River and climbs again to Temple 21 Tairyu-ji. End the day with a cable car ride with wonderful views over a cedar forest and the small town below. Travel by bus to your accommodation for the evening.
Walking distance: 8.2km / 5.1 miles
Elevation gain: 460m / 1,510 feet ascent and 470m / 1,540 feet descent
Time required: About 5 hours
The walk can be extended to about 5 hours for clients staying in Tokushima city - please enquire if you would like to undertake this longer option.
Day 4 : Kagawa (Temples 82 To 80)
Location: Tokushima, Takamatsu, Kotohira
Accommodation: Ryokan (Travellers Inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leaving Tokushima, travel by bus and a pre-paid taxi to a rewarding hike in northern Kagawa Prefecture. Walk through lovely scenery and visit a fine collection of temples - Temple 82 Negoro-ji, Temple 81 Shiromine-ji and finally Temple 80 Kokubun-ji. Travel onwards by train for an overnight stay in the old hot-spring town of Kotohira Spa.
Walking distance: 13.5km / 8.4 miles
Elevation gain: 335m / 1,100 feet ascent and 655m / 2,150 feet descent
Time required: About 5 hours
The walk can be shortened by 1.5 hours (5.4km / 3.4 miles) by omitting the round-trip section to Temple 81 Shiromine-ji.
Day 5 : Tour Ends
Location: Kotohira, Kyoto
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, spend some time exploring Kotohira Spa. Board a train after lunch for the return journey to Osaka or Kyoto, arriving late afternoon.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 nights at Japanese inns on Shikoku Island
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Local Taxes
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Meals – Half Board
4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
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Round-trip transportation from Kyoto or Osaka & 3 pre-paid taxis
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Detailed day-by-day itinerary, walking directions and Shikoku Island guidebook
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Topographical maps
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Local support by telephone
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Our Preparing for your trip and Travelling in Japan Guidebooks
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Optional orientation at our Kyoto office
What's Not Included
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Flights
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Airport transfers
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Pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches
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Pay locally for bus journeys on each day and the cable car journey on Day 3
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Single room supplement(s) if required
More Info
Shikoku is Japan's fourth-largest island, home to some of the country's most spectacular and undeveloped scenery. The island is also the setting for an ancient walking trail, the challenging Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples and the full walk covers more than a thousand kilometres. Pilgrims, known as O-henro, traditionally covered the journey on foot over many weeks, staying overnight at Shukubo temple lodgings. Most modern travellers now travel from temple to temple by tour bus, but we have found sections of the original route which can still be enjoyed on foot.
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
No flights are included on this tour. This tour is offered on a land-only basis.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Our challenging tours have consecutive dedicated days of trail walking, with walks of six hours or more and significant ascent and/or descent. We recommend challenging tours for anyone who does regular full-day walking or hiking and is comfortable with walking for extended periods on consecutive days, with most of each day involving ascent and descent.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All travellers get our Preparing for your Trip and Travelling in Japan documents, as well as a detailed personalized itinerary. Those travelling on one of our self-guided tours receive our bespoke topographical maps and walking instructions.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
No
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
For our small-group guided tours, if you would like to share with another traveler we will seek to match you up. If we are successful then you need not pay the solo supplement.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Our travellers are typically English speakers from around the world. On our small-group guided tours, you travel in the company of one of our professional local guides.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
As per our booking terms and conditions, change fees would apply. If you have to change your dates due to the prevailing entry requirements for Japan please contact us and we would be happy to work with you to change your dates without charge.
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Oku Japan requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of oku japan charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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