Many people are interested in walking some of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, but not all of it. Eighty percent of the pilgrimage is on heavily trafficked roads and is no fun to walk, so we don’t recommend that. The remaining twenty percent is on beautiful mountain trails. But discovering the best walks is no easy matter. Then there’s the logistics of getting to the start of the trail, and getting back to your accommodation afterwards.
On this tour, we take care of all of this for you. We show you the most beautiful and interesting temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage in seven days, visiting all four prefectures of the island. On each day, you undertake one of the most challenging walks on the pilgrimage trail, including the steep parts called ‘henro korogashi’ or pilgrim killers. 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. The walks are from 10 to 15 km.
You travel by private vehicle seeing the best of the Ohenro, and staying in the main cities of Shikoku. Your vehicle takes you to the start of the walk, and picks you up at the end. You’re accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, and there are places where you can end the walk midway if you’re tired. Your accommodation includes temple lodgings, modern hotels, and onsen ryokan for variety and a taste of what the island has to offer.
This tour can be enjoyed at any time of year. Whatever the season, there’s something special to see, to eat and to drink.
Learn more about the pilgrimage in our Shikoku Pilgrimage section.
Who is this tour for?
This tour is for those who like to travel with a guide and a small group of like-minded people. The focus is on the most challenging trails of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. The walks are tough and so you must be fit enough to maintain a good tempo through the daily ups and downs. You’ll also need to have appropriate clothing and footwear. We may stay one night at temple accommodation that has ensuite toilets, but only a shared bath, so you need to be OK with getting naked with strangers, or flannel bathing in your room.
Important
If you like to walk slowly and don’t enjoy hiking hills, this tour is not for you. Also, the pilgrimage route consists of mixed trails, with sections on mountain tracks, gravel paths, and paved roads. It isn’t all through pristine countryside.
If you don’t relish a long hike every day, then the Best of Shikoku Pilgrimage tour will suit you better. The temple compounds themselves are large, and involve a certain amount of walking.
For those who would like to try walking temple to temple, we offer the Walking Pilgrimage in Tokushima tour. We cannot undertake to help you walk all of the pilgrimage consecutively.