Hiker's Journey to Shikoku

Highlights

• Day hikes to the legendary temples of Shikoku
• Explore the traditional Iya Valley, with its thatched houses and vine bridges
• Meet pilgrims and hikers, sample Shikoku’s delicious fresh seafood with elusive umami—the “fifth taste”
• Kochi Castle and Matsuyama-jo, two of the most famous original castles in Japan

What's this trip about?

For 1,200 years, o-henro-san (pilgrims) have walked the 88-temple pilgrimage route across Shikoku Island, following in the footsteps of the great 8th century Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi. We’ve selected the most beautiful temples—and hikes—to create a captivating journey across this legendary isle, with our Trip Leader who literally wrote the book on hiking in Japan. You’ll follow trails between venerated temples, climb Shikoku’s two highest peaks, and discover the remote Iya Valley, a vestige of old Japan with its kazura-bashi (vine bridges) and 300-year-old thatched farmhouses. Cultural adventures abound as well, from a soak in the thousand-year-old Dogo Onsen (hot spring) to stays at a temple lodging and a family-run ryokan in the mountains. Along the way you’ll sample Shikoku’s regional cuisine, including its renowned udon and sakes, and have the chance to meet Japanese pilgrims from all walks of life.

What's excluded

• International airfare, airport transfers
• Optional gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors
• Pre-trip expenses of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, or passports and visas
• Other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)

Accommodation