Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail Walk Only

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.7 Read 3 reviews

The highlights of Japan’s 88 Temple Pilgrimage route
Beautiful trails and scenery of the island of Shikoku
Stay in traditional Ryokan guesthouses and a Shukubo temple
Fresh and beautifully presented Japanese cuisine
Relax in natural hot spring baths after a day on the trail

Walk the highlights of the 88 Temple pilgrimage trail on the island of Shikoku. This tour includes only the walking section of our longer Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail itinerary. Catch the train/bus from Osaka or Kyoto to Tokushima, where your 5 day walk on Shikoku begins. Follow trails to ancient Buddhist temples and become an ‘Ohenro-San’- the name given to Shikoku pilgrims. Soak up the experience at the traditional Ryokan guesthouses with their natural spring baths and sincere hospitality. One night is spent staying in a Shukubu; lodging attached to the temples, where it is possible to join in morning prayers.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

Perfect for those wanting to experience the quiet and contemplation of a pilgrimage route through the Japanese countryside. There are some significant ascents meaning this tour is best suited to those with a good level of fitness. Stays in rural guesthouses and time in the cities of Kyoto and Osaka complete the experience.

Tour Type:

Pilgrimages | For those looking to follow a path of self-discovery. Our Pilgrimage and Camino routes take you on a journey through diverse landscapes and local flavours, while meeting like-minded adventurers along the way.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails
Off the Beaten Track

Activity Level & Terrain

This tour is graded moderate with walks as long as 14km (with some longer options on most days) with some strenuous ascents and descents. You should be a regular walker in good shape to get the most from the trip. Terrain is varied with a mix of paved paths, woodland trails, stone steps and trails alongside paddy fields.

Navigation

The route is partly waymarked (in English and Japanese) and we provide detailed route notes and topographic maps so you should have no problem following the trail.

Accommodations

On this tour, you will stay in a mixture of Ryokan, Minshuku, Shukubo temples and western-style 3-star hotels. Ryokan and Minshuku are traditional family-run Japanese style inns with an emphasis on personalised service and homemade food. They tend to be furnished with ‘tatami’ (straw mat) floors and you will sleep on a futon (which are surprisingly comfortable!)

Shukubo are pilgrim’s lodgings attached to the temples. They are similar to Ryokan and Minshuku but are a bit simpler and bathroom facilities are shared. There are several shared toilets and washbasins, and two rooms for communal bathing in natural thermal water, segregated by gender. The food is prepared in a similar style to Buddhist Shojin cuisine, but do include some meat and fish. It is a wonderful experience to stay in a shukubo and there is also the opportunity to join the early morning religious service.

In large cities like Kyoto, Tokushima, and Osaka, we use western-style hotels of a 3* standard. Please see below for an example of the accommodation we use.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is available to solo walkers and a limited number of single rooms are available, although a single/solo supplement is payable.

Meals

Japanese cuisine is the highlight of many people’s visit to Japan and this is especially the case on the Shikoku trail. Your trip includes all breakfasts and 5 evening meals whilst on the trail, Most meals will be Japanese cuisine, though breakfast in western-style hotels usually includes more familiar choices. Dinner and breakfast in ryokan and minshuku are set meals, usually with a whole succession of different dishes which will delight you. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included with meals. Tipping is not customary at hotels and restaurants in Japan.

Included

5 nights accommodation in Ryokan, Shukubu and 3* hotels
5 breakfasts
5 dinners
Bus/train tickets to and from Shikoku
Tickets for journeys on the trail
Private transfers on days 2
Local travel information, route notes, topographical maps and hints and tips
Telephone support from our local, English speaking, representative.

Excluded

International flights and travel to Kyoto/from Osaka
Drinks with meals
Lunches
Local buses on Shikoku (paid locally)
Baggage forwarding
Travel insurance

Extras

Additional nights on the trail or in Kyoto, Tokyo or Osaka (prices on request for Kyoto and Osaka)
Daily Luggage Transfers (Takijiri to Nachi-San)

When To Go

This trip is available from early April until the end of October. Accommodations are busy and may charge extra during the following Japanese holiday periods: New Year (29 December - 04 January), Golden Week (29 April - 05 May), and O-bon (13-15 August)

Time of Year

It is tough to beat the spring months of April and May but the autumn colours in October is also lovely. It can get quite hot and humid in July and August. Overall, the best months to travel are either April-June or September-October.

Getting to the Start

By Air:

The best airport to arrive at is Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX), which has flights from international destinations. You can also fly into Tokyo Narita (NRT) and take an internal flight or the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto (3h30).

The West Japan Rail Company operates services between Kansai Airport and Osaka/Kyoto. For timetable information please visit http://www.westjr.co.jp/global.en/travel-information/timetable. The Airport Express HARUKA (Kansai Airport Line) takes approx 75 mins to Kyoto.

Getting around:

Your package includes train tickets from/to Kyoto or Osaka. The public transport system in Japan is world class and your pre departure information pack has detailed information on tickets, trains and how to use public transport easily.

Our specialist Laura travelled to Japan in 2014 and you can read her experience of using public transport, on the blog.

Visas

Please check your visa requirements with the foreign office or the embassy in your country of residence before travelling to Japan.

British nationals wishing to visit Japan for three months or less for business, tourism or family purposes etc (but not to work for a local employer) may do so without a visa. You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket. Please visit www.fco.gov.uk for up to date information.

Luggage Transfer

Luggage transfer is not included during your walk as standard. The easiest option here is to arrange luggage transfers by a service called Takkyubin which is a courier service in Japan and can only be booked in Japan. This is cheap, reliable and costs approx £12 per day. With this service, your bags will not be moved each day but instead will be waiting for you at your accommodation a couple of nights later. Our information pack has full details on how to use this service, which is really easy.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Getting around

Your package includes train tickets from/to Kyoto or Osaka. The public transport system in Japan is world-class and your pre-departure information pack has detailed information on tickets, trains and how to use public transport easily.

Our specialist Laura travelled to Japan in 2014 and you can read her experience of using public transport, on the blog.

Visas

Please check your visa requirements with the foreign office or the embassy in your country of residence before travelling to Japan.

British nationals wishing to visit Japan for three months or less for business, tourism or family purposes, etc (but not to work for a local employer) may do so without a visa. You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket. Please visit www.fco.gov.uk for up to date information.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, lightweight clothes, waterproofs and a day pack. lease be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes, and lightweight clothing for summer.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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