88 Temple Pilgrimage
Photo: Toto-tarou, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The 88 Temple Pilgrimage (八十八ヶ所巡り hachijūhakkasho-meguri) is Japan's most famous pilgrimage route, a 1,200-km loop around the island of Shikoku. It is also known as the Shikoku Henro (四国遍路).
UnderstandMany of the temples are said to have been founded or restored by the revered monk and scholar Kūkai (空海), better known by his posthumous title Kōbō Daishi (弘法大師).
Get inIt is traditional to prepare by visiting the temple town of Mount Kōya, but the route itself starts at Ryōzenji, near Tokushima, and you have to return here in order to complete your pilgrimage.
GoMost pilgrims walking on foot average around 25 km daily and complete the trip in five to seven weeks.
SleepBesides standard hotels and AirBnbs which can be booked online as usual, there are a number of options for your overnight accommodation as a Henro.
Stay safeTraveling in Shikoku is very safe, especially when you wear the traditional henro robes.
Go nextIn one tradition you aren't done when you reach the 88th temple—some believe you still have to trek back to the 1st to complete your pilgrimage!
Other pilgrimage routes in Japan
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "88 Temple Pilgrimage" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Toto-tarou, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons