Shikoku is Japan's fourth-largest island, home to some of the country's most spectacular and undeveloped scenery. 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. We have selected the best walks and the best accommodation, 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.
Tour Length
We offer various self-guided tours on the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage trail, from 4 days to 10 days.
Type and level of trip
Our Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage tours include carefully-selected sections of the ancient Pilgrimage trail. Walking is generally on quiet town and country roads, and unpaved forest trails. Our 4-day tour is the easiest option, classified as ‘Active’. The 6-day and 10-day tours are ‘Strenuous’. Our 5-day and 8-day tours offer the most demanding walking and classified as ‘Challenging’.
Walking season
All year (the region may occasionally experience snow from December to March)
Spectacular scenery, beautiful temples, terrific hot-spring baths and delicious traditional cuisine on the ancient 88 Temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku, combining our walks in the north-east and the north-west of the island. Start from Kyoto or Osaka, spend 9 nights on Shikoku with 9 days of hiking, and return to Kyoto or Osaka.
Abundant nature, varied temples, one of Japan’s most venerable hot-spring towns and delicious traditional cuisine walking on sections of the ancient 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Ehime Prefecture in north-west Shikoku. Start from Kyoto or Osaka, spend 3 nights on Shikoku with 4 days of hiking, and return to Kyoto or Osaka.
A hike through spectacular scenery, with beautiful temples, terrific Onsen baths and delicious traditional cuisine on the ancient 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Tokushima and Kagawa Prefectures at the north-east tip of Shikoku Island. Start from Kyoto or Osaka, spend 4 nights on Shikoku (with 4 days of hiking) and return to Kyoto or Osaka.
A hike through spectacular scenery, with beautiful temples, terrific Onsen baths and delicious traditional cuisine on the ancient 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Tokushima and Kagawa Prefectures at the north-east tip of Shikoku Island. Start from Kyoto or Osaka, spend 5 nights on Shikoku (with up to 5 days of hiking) and return to Kyoto or Osaka.
Spectacular scenery, beautiful temples, terrific hot-spring baths and delicious traditional cuisine on the ancient 88 Temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku, combining our walks in the north-east and the north-west of the island. Start from Kyoto or Osaka, spend 7 nights on Shikoku in Tokushima/Kagawa Prefectures and in Ehime Prefecture with 8 days of hiking, and return to Kyoto or Osaka.
