Shikoku
88 PILGRIMIDGE
TOUR LENGTH : 4 days
TYPE AND LEVEL OF TRIP : Mixed town roads (paved) and forest trails (unpaved) - a moderate walk, with days of up to 5 hours of hiking
WALKING SEASON : Any day (recommended from March until early December)
Shikoku is Japan's fourth largest island, home to some of the country's most spectacular and undeveloped scenary. 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, know 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.
DAY 1
Ehime - Temples 57 to 58
Start from Kyoto or Osaka and travel by train to Imabari in northern Ehime to 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 Senyu-ji. Visit Eifuku-ji and Senyu-ji and there is also an optional detour to Temple 56 Taisan-ji. Overnight at Senyu-ji which offers Shukubo pilgrims lodgings, or alternatively stay in a western style hotel in Imabari city.
Walking distance: 4.4 km / 2.7 miles
Elevation gain: 250 m / 820 feet ascent and negligible descent
Time required: about 1.5 hours
Accommodation: Shukubo (Pilgrims Lodging) or Hotel
DAY 2
Ehime - Temple 58 onwards
The hike continues with a gentle walk down the mountain from Senyu-ji, with the opportunity to explore small village settlements on the way. Return to the town of Imabari, with an optional paved hike on to Temple 59 Iyo Kokubun-ji and continue onwards to Matsuyama by train and overnight in Dogo Onsen.
Walking distance: 4.4 km / 2.7 miles
Elevation gain: Negliglble ascent and 250 m / 820 feet descent
Time required: About 1 hour
An optional paved walk of 4.1 km (2.5 miles) can extend the hike by a further 1.5 hours.
Accommodation: Hot spring Ryokan (Travellers Inn)
DAY 3
Ehime - Temples 45 to 44
Head south by bus from Matsuyama to Temple 45 Iwaya-ji, a temple closely linked to Kobo Daishi - the priest who founded Shingon Buddhism and Mount Koya. Climb the iconic ladder to his meditation spot, with its spectacular views over the surrounnding region. From Iwaya-ji, enjoy a lovely forest hike to Temple 44 Daiho-ji before returning by bus to Matsuyama in the evening. Overnight in Dogo Onsen.
Walking distance: 11.7 km / 7.3 miles
Elevation gain: 650 m / 2,130 feet ascent and 580 m / 1,900 feet descent
Time required: About 4 hours
Accommodation: Hot spring Ryokan (Travellers Inn)
DAY 4
Ehime - Temples 60 to 62
The tour ends with a rewarding hike in the east of Ehime Prefecture. Travel by bus and pre-paid taxi from Matsuyama to reach the trail and walk to Temple 60 Yokomine-ji, Temple 61 Koon-ji and onwards to Temple 62 Hoju-ji. The walk passes through a rural area of Shikoku and the temples are in loverly natural settings. After the hike, travel onwards by train to the Kansai area, arriving mid-evening.
Walking distance: 13.7km / 8.5 miles
Elevation gain: 620m / 2,050 feet ascent and 870m / 3,850 feet descent
Time required: About 4-5 hours
You can reduce the hike by about one hour to 11.3km / 7 miles, avoiding the first uphill section. Simply pay locally to extend the taxi ride to Temple 60 Yokomine-ji. Choose on the day - no need to decide in advance.
Package
INCLUSIONS
3 nights at Japanese inns on Shikoku Island
3 breakfast and 3 dinners
Round-trip transporation from Kyoto or Osaka & 2 pre-paid taxis
Detailed day-by-day itinerary, walking directions and Shikoku Island guidebook
Topographial maps
Local support by telephone
Our Preparing for your trip and Travelling in Japan Guidebooks
Optional orientation at the Kyoto office
Exclusions: Flights, airport transfers, pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches, pay locally for bus journeys on each day, single room supplement if required
Also available
5, 6, 8 & 10-DAY VERSIONS OF THIS TRIP
The 6-day and 10-day tours are ‘Strenuous’. Our 5-day and 8-day tours offer the most demanding walking and are classified as ‘Challenging’.
