Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail

11 days
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Shikoku is Japan’s fourth-largest island, home to some of the country’s most spectacular and undeveloped scenery. The island is also home to the ancient walking trail, Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples with the entire walk covering more than a thousand kilometres. This spiritual journey follows in the footsteps of Kobo Daishi, als...
$6,831
From$5,060
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Walk the most beautiful parts of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage trail in Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehime
    • Climb the iconic ladder to the meditation spot used by Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism
    • Experience an authentic pilgrimage journey, staying in traditional Minshuku, Ryokan, and Shukubo temple lodging, with authentic Shojin-Ryori Buddhist vegetarian cuisine

What's this trip about?

    Shikoku is Japan’s fourth-largest island, home to some of the country’s most spectacular and undeveloped scenery. The island is also home to the ancient walking trail, Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples with the entire walk covering more than a thousand kilometres. This spiritual journey follows in the footsteps of Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai, who reached enlightenment in the isolated mountains and decided to devote his life to the Buddha. Following intense study of Buddhism and the creation of the temple complex on Mount Koya, he never forgot his home island of Shikoku and undertook a journey to visit all its 88 temples. Even today pilgrims from all over the world follow in his footsteps and visit the temples dressed in traditional garb, receiving blessings in the form of food and drinks from the locals. We have selected the best walks and the best accommodations, including Shukubo pilgrims lodgings and fine inns in appealing cities such as Tokushima and Dogo Onsen near Matsuyama, which offer convenient transport to the trails. Explore the fascinating city of Kyoto before beginning your Kumano Kodo journey and end with two nights in Osaka. Famous for its beautifully built Buddhist temples and traditional teahouses, Kyoto is a great introduction to your Japanese adventure. From here, you can visit the historical city of Nara, full of cultural treasures and tranquil gardens. Osaka is known as the food capital of western Japan, inheriting its name in part from the fantastic Dotonbori area in the south of the city. Countless restaurants line the Dotonbori-gawa River offering dinner with views. The city is also home to Osaka-jo – a symbolic castle, re-built to its grand size after repeated fires.Journey the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range8 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityOsaka
End CityOsaka

Travel Themes

  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Kyoto
  • Osaka

Activities

  • Hiking

Trip includes

    • 10 nights’ accommodation in hotels and Japanese-style inns (ryokan/minshuku/shukobu)
    • All breakfasts & 6 dinners
    • 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

Day 1 Arrive in Kyoto

Take the express train from Osaka Kansai Int. Airport to Kyoto City (approx. 70mins), then a local taxi to your first hotel. (approx. 10mins). Overnight Kyoto.

Day 2 Explore Kyoto

Enjoy a rest day in the incredible city of Kyoto, famous for its Buddhist temples, tranquil gardens, and traditional teahouses. We recommend visiting the historical city of Nara, full of cultural treasures and expansive parks, located approx. 1hr from Kyoto city on the train. Overnight Kyoto.

Day 3 Tokushima: Temples 1 - 3

Travel by long distance bus to Tokushima Prefecture (included) where you’ll 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 Ryoze...

Day 4 Tokushima: Temples 11 - 12

Travel south by pre-booked and pre-paid taxi to Temple 11 Fujii-dera, a fascinating hillside temple complex. After time to explore Fujii-dera, your taxi will bring you to Ryusuian Temple, part-way up the mountain en-route to Shosan-ji. From there you walk up the rest ...

Day 5 Tokushima: Temples 20 - 21

Travel by pre-paid taxi to one of the most beautiful and varied hikes on the entire 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 r...

Day 6 Kagawa: Temples 82 - 80

Leaving Tokushima, you'll take the train, bus and a pre-booked and prepaid 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 Ko...

Day 7 Ehime: Temples 57 to 58

Leaving Kagawa, travel by train and bus to Betsumyo in northern Ehime and begin your hike to Temple 57 Eifuku-ji. The walk gradually passes from urban townscape to rural farming communities before entering a forest with a steady climb to Temple 58 Senyū-ji. Visit Eifu...

Day 8 Ehime: Temples 59 onwards

Your walk continues with a gentle walk down the mountain from Senyū-ji, with the opportunity to explore small village settlements on the way. Return to the town of Imabari, with an optional paved town hike on to Temple 59 Iyo Kokubun-ji. Take the train from the end of your walk in Iyo-Tomita to Matsuyama, followed by a tram to Dogo Onsen. Overnight Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), Dogo Onsen.

Day 9 Ehime: Temples 45 to 44

Take a pre-paid taxi from your ryokan to Temple 45 Iwaya-ji, a temple closely linked to Kōbō Daishi - the priest who founded Shingon Buddhism and Mount Koya. Climb the iconic ladder to his meditation spot, with its spectacular views over the surrounding region. From I...

Day 10 Ehime: Temples 60 to 62

Your pilgrimage ends with a rewarding hike in the east of Ehime Prefecture. Travel by tram and bus to Ooto, then take a pre-paid taxi to reach the starting point. Walk to Temple 60 Yokomine-ji, Temple 61 Kōon-ji and onwards to Temple 62 Hoju-ji. The walk passes throug...

Day 11 Depart Osaka

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking the train from Osaka Namba Nankai station to Osaka Kansai Airport (approx. 35mins).

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,060
Price per day$460
Last Updated: 4/4/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
17 Apr 2025
27 Apr 2025
$5,630
$6,830
18 Apr 2025
28 Apr 2025
$5,630
$6,830
19 Apr 2025
29 Apr 2025
$5,630
$6,830
20 Apr 2025
30 Apr 2025
$5,630
$6,830
21 Apr 2025
01 May 2025
$5,630
$6,830
22 Apr 2025
02 May 2025
$5,630
$6,830
23 Apr 2025
03 May 2025
$5,630
$6,830
24 Apr 2025
04 May 2025
$5,630
$6,830
25 Apr 2025
05 May 2025
$5,630
$6,830
26 Apr 2025
06 May 2025
$5,630
$6,830

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Lunches
    • Luggage transfers
    • Travel insurance
    • Single supplements
    • Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
    • Visas and vaccinations

Accommodation

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.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
8 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-W10SH

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