Temples and Trails of Shikoku
Temples and Trails of Shikoku
Temples and Trails of Shikoku
13 Days Starting in Osaka, Japan and ending in Kotohira Spa, Japan
Visiting: Osaka, Koyasan, Tokushima, Kamiyama, Miyoshi, Tsurugi, Kochi, Uchiko, Matsuyama, Kotohira
Tour operator:
Tour code:
74
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 13
Physical rating:
Active Hiking Tour
Age range:
18-80
Special diets catered:
Contact us
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Active, Adventure Tours, Small Group, Walking Hiking and Trekking
Interests:
Cultural, Eco Conscious, Foodie and Wine Tours, History, Rail Tours, Religion and Spiritual
Activities:
Tour Overview
The fourth-largest of Japan's islands, Shikoku is home to the 88 Temple Pilgrimage Trail. Fascinating aspects of this deeply spiritual route include how little is known of its origins, and its mysterious connection with Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism. Pilgrims have walked the trails for 1200 years and even today we will see pilgrims in their distinctive attire and white cloaks throughout the island. Our tour selects the best of the walking trails through lovely landscapes. We visit all four of Shikoku's prefectures - Tokushima in the east, Kagawa in the north, Ehime in the west, and Kochi in the south. Each region has its own distinctive character, foods and scenery. In addition to the pilgrimage trail, our journey includes the remote Iya Valley, deep in the heart of Shikoku. We begin our journey with a stay on Mount Koya, the hilltop temple complex on Honshu established by Kobo Daishi, and an important location for Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage devotees.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Meet In Osaka
Location: Osaka
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Meet your guide and other group members at the hotel in Osaka in the evening. There will be a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 : Travel To Mount Koya And Sightseeing
Location: Koyasan
Accommodation: Shukubo (Buddhist temple pilgrim's lodging)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We travel by train along the scenic Nankai Railway Line to Mount Koya, a bowl-shaped valley filled with cedars high in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula. Mount Koya is the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, founded in 9th centurey by the monk Kobo Daishi, father of the Shikoku pilgrimage. Pilgrims on the Shikoku 88 Temple
route traditionally visit Mount Koya to pray and ask Kobo Daishi to bless their journey; we will follow the tradition. We stay in one of the elegant temples and dine on shojin-ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). We walk through the Okuno-in cemetery and see Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum.
Day 3 : Travel To Tokushima And Walk Ryozenji Temple To Kosenji Temple
Location: Tokushima
Accommodation: Shukubo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We travel by private vehicle this morning to Wakayama port for the ferry to Tokushima Prefecture, the old Awa province, located in eastern Shikoku. We will walk through quiet suburban neighborhoods and visit the first three temples on the pilgrimage route - some of the prettiest on the whole island. The first temple, Ryozen-ji or Vulture Mountain Temple, was built in 8th century. Next comes Gokuraku-ji or Celestial Temple where Kobo Daishi completed 37 days of esoteric ritual at his age of 42. The atmospheric Konsen-ji, or Golden Fountain Temple, is home to a blood-red pagoda and bridge. After the walk, we will take a private vehicle to our Shukubo temple lodgings for the evening.
Walking distance: 6km / 3.7 miles
Elevation gain: negligible ascent and descent
Day 4 : Walk From Fuji-Dera To Shosan-Ji
Location: Kamiyama
Accommodation: Minshuku (small family-run inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we will travel by private vehicle to Temple 11 Fujiidera, Temple of the Wisteria Well, situated at the foot of Mount Shosan-ji and surrounded by three mountains. We will walk a challenging trail known as 'henro-korogashi' through forests and over three peaks, one of the finest walks on the whole pilgrimage. The route takes us to an elevation of 900 metre (almost 3,000 feet), the highest point on the whole of our tour. Completing the three ascents is highly rewarding, and our goal, Shosanji, is a dramatic temple with spectacular valley views. For those preferring a shorter walk, the vehicle will deliver you half way along the trail to meet the rest of the group.The accommodation tonight is a small and comfortable Japanese inn nearby serviing lovely meals.
Walking distance: 11.9km / 7.4 miles
Elevation gain: 1230m /4035 feet ascent; 560m / 1870 feet descent
Time required: 5 hours
Day 5 : Walk From Kakurin-Ji To Tairyu-Ji Temple
Location: Miyoshi
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot springs inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our private vehicle journey this morning brings us to Temple 20 Kakurin-ji or Crane Forest Temple on the 550 metre summit of Washigao. The temple's Sando or main approach is surrounded by tall pine and Hinoki cypress trees. Under an edict of Emperor Kanmu, Kobo Daishi founded Kakurin-ji in 799. From here we head up to Temple 21 Tairyu-ji, temple of the Mystical Dragon, close to the mountain peak of the same name at 618 metres. Kobo Daishi practised ascetic training here at his age of 19 and founded the temple in 793. Our walk ends with a cable car ride offering breathtaking views over a cedar forest and out towards the sea. We continue by vehicle to the central mountains. Tonight's accommodation is in the wonderful hot-spring location of Iya Onsen, deep in a hidden valley.
Walking distance: 7.1km / 4.4 miles
Elevation gain: 460m / 1510 feet ascent; 470m / 1540 feet descent
Time required: 2.5 hours
Day 6 : Walking Mount Tsurugi
Location: Tsurugi
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot springs ryokan)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we board our private vehicle to visit the valley’s unique kazura-bashi vine bridge stretching 45 meters across the Iya River and suspended 15 metres above the flowing water. It is said the bridge was made by refugees of Heike Clan hiding in the area after their war defeat. We head to Tsrugi-san, the second highest peak in Shikoku with a height of 1,955 metres, nearly 6,500 feet. The peak is a centre of Shugendo, a Japanese folk religion based on mountain worship. We will take a chairlift to the start of a walk which will bring us to within an hour of the summit. From there, wooden boardwalks will lead us to various viewpoints with panoramic views over the surrounding mountains. We will return to our inn at Iya Onsen in the late afternoon for another soak in the thermal waters and our dinner of delightful local cuisine.
Walking distance: 4km / 2.5 miles
Elevation gain: 330m / 1320 feet ascent; 330m / 1320 feet descent
Time required: 1.5 hours
Day 7 : Travel To Kochi And Sightseeing
Location: Kochi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we travel to Kochi city in Kochi Prefecture, formerly known as Tosa Province, the region of Shikoku most distant from Japan's mainland. It is the largest of Shikoku's prefectures but has the smallest population. We will visit Katsurahama Rocks, a unique formation beside the sea, then enjoy lunch at Hirome Ichiba Market in Kochi city center - a wonderful collection of over 60 shops with outstanding local produce. After lunch we will visit Temple 31 Chikurin-ji, the Bamboo Forest Temple, with its museum of temple treasures. The garden here was designed by the famous master monk of the Rinzai Sect called Muso Souseki and is famous througout Japan for its beauty. We will stay overnight in a comfortable hotel in Kochi city.
Day 8 : Sightseeing In Kochi And Uchiko And Onward Travel To Matsuyama
Location: Uchiko
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we visit Kochi Castle and have a few hours free to stroll around the well-known Sunday market which has 300 years of history and 500 outdoor stalls. This amazing lively market stretches for over a kilometre (more than half a mile) from the entrance of Kochi Castle and offers local products at reasonable prices. After lunch we travel to Ehime Prefecture, previously known as Iyo Province, and stop en-route at the historic and beautiful town of Uchiko, which once flourished as a centre for traditional wax and paper. Our accommodation tonight is a hotel in appealing Matsuyama city, not far from Japan's oldest hot spring Dogo Onsen, said to have 3,000 years history. We are based here for the next three nights. In the evening your tour guide will be on hand to offer suggestions for restaurants for dinner.
Day 9 : Walk From Daihoji Temple To Iwayaji Temple
Location: Matsuyama
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our journey today starts with the journey by private vehicle to the Kumakogen Highlands in central Ehime, near the border of Kochi Prefecture. We start our hike from Temple 44 Daihoji, Great Treasure Temple, a fitting halfway point on the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
We enjoy a beautiful forest hike to Temple 45, Rock Cavern-Housed Temple, a fascinating location on the mountain with hundreds of Jizo statues. The temple was one of the main sites where Kobo Daishi meditated after founding the temple in 805. A unique feature is the ladder up to a secluded cave where the monk would spend countless hours chanting. The coins attached to the cave wall show Kobo Daishi’s enduring influence. After the walk, we return by private vehicle to Matsuyama city in the late afternoon.
Walking distance: 11.7km / 7.3 miles
Elevation gain: 650m / 2130 feet ascent; 580m / 1900 feet decent
Time required: 4 hours
Day 10 : Sightseeing In Matsuyama
Location: Matsuyama
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
A relaxed day to explore Matsuyama city and Dogo Onsen by public transport. We will take a short ride on the tram/streetcar and enjoy a pleasant walk up to the iconic Matsuyama Castle on the hilltop which dominates the city. In the afternoon, we will take the tram/streetcar again to visit Temple 51 Ishiteji, Stone Hand Temple, with its unique legend. There are seven fascinating buildings at the temple and many of the temple treasures are designated important cultural assets. Afterwards, we will visit the atmospheric town of Dogo visiting Isaniwa Shrine and strolling through the old-fashioned main shopping arcades. In the late afternoon, we will return to our hotel in Matsuyama city.
Day 11 : Walk From Kokubunji Temple, To Shiromineji Temple And Then To Negoroji Temple
Location: Kotohira
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot springs Japanese inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We travel by private vehicle to Temple 80 Awa Kokubunji, Awa State Provincial Temple, in Kagawa Prefecture, also known as the old Sanuki Province. The well-preserved structures at the temple and its building exude age and atmosphere. We ascend to Temple 81 Shiromine-ji, White Peak Temple, situated at the summit of Mount Shiromine. We will then walk down to Temple 82 Negoro-ji, Fragrant Root Temple, with its beautiful lanterns tucked away deep inside the heart of the complex. We will then head to Kotohira Spa by private vehicle, a small town in Kagawa famous for Konpirasan, the large shinto shrine complex dedicated to sailors and seafaring. Our accommodation tonight is a delightful hot-spring Ryokan in the town.
Walking distance: 13.5 km /8.4 miles
Elevation gain: 655m / 2150 feet ascent; 335m / 1100 feet decent
Time required: 4.5 hours
Day 12 : Kotohira
Location: Kotohira
Accommodation: Onsen Ryokan (Hot springs inn)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we will set out for our final walk on the 88 Temple Pilgrimage from Temple 87 Nagao-ji, Long Slope Temple, to Temple 88 Okubo-ji, Great Hollow Temple - Completion of the Vow. A wish made here will be fulfilled! This temple is located on a hidden mountain summit. The walk passes through lovely rural scenery before ascending Nyotai-san Mountain to Okubo-ji. We will share a great sense of achievement together and then travel by private vehicle back to our accommodation for another soak in the onsen spa and a delightful kaiseki meal to celebrate our final evening.
Walking distance: 12.3 km / 7.6 miles
Elevation gain: 774m / 2539 feet ascent; 410m / 1345 feet decent
Time required: 4.5 hours
Day 13 : Tour Ends
Location: Kotohira
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends today after breakfast. Your guide will be on hand to offer assistance and advice for travelling to the airport if you have homeward flights, or on onward travel in Japan if you are extending your stay.
What's Included
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Accommodation
12 nights in hotels and Japanese-style inns (Ryokan, Minshuku and Shukubo)
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
All transportation between tour locations
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Entrance Fees
Entrance to museums, temples and other sights on the group's itinerary
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Fully Guided
Full-time services of an English-speaking tour guide
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Local Taxes
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Meals – Breakfast Only
Daily breakfast & 9 dinners
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Forwarding of one item of luggage
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Country Entry Visas
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Drinks with Meals
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to museums, temples etc.
not mentioned in the itinerary -
Meals – Full Board
Does not include lunches or dinners not listed as included.
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Tipping and Gratuities
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A single room supplement is required for solo travellers at hotels
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
Please refer to our booking terms and conditions.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
The daypacks will be carried by the guest on the walking sections so we do recommend a backpack. Please note that only we include the baggage delivery for one bag or suitcase per person. Extra bags may be sent subject to a charge payable locally for each transfer. The suitcase should weigh no more than 30–35 lbs. at time of departure. The total dimensions of the bag when you add the bag’s external
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Our active tours generally have dedicated days of trail walking, with some days of over four hours and with some ascent and/or descent. We recommend active tours for anyone who does regular walking or hiking and is comfortable to walk for up to a full day with some climbing and descending. If you do not exercise regularly, then you should undertake a program of walking to prepare.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, please contact our team for rates and availability.
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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.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
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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