Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail

Day 1: Arrive in Kyoto

Take the express train from Osaka Kansai Int. Airport to Kyoto City (approx. 70mins), then a local taxi to your first hotel. (approx. 10mins).
Overnight Kyoto (breakfast included).

Day 2: Explore Kyoto

Enjoy a rest day in the incredible city of Kyoto, famous for its Buddhist temples, tranquil gardens, and traditional teahouses. We recommend visiting the historical city of Nara, full of cultural treasures and expansive parks, located approx. 1hr from Kyoto city on the train.
Overnight Kyoto (breakfast included).

Day 3: Tokushima: Temples 1 - 3 (6km/3.7mi)

Travel by long distance bus to Tokushima Prefecture (included) where you'll begin your pilgrimage with a gentle introduction to the walks on Shikoku through quiet neighbourhoods of Tokushima. Visit three of the most eye-catching temples on whole trail - Temple 1 Ryozen-ji, Temple 2 Gokuraku-ji and Temple 3 Konsen-ji. Spend your first night as all pilgrims should - with a stay in a Shukubo Temple Lodging. There is also the option of staying at a traditional Ryokan for this first night.
Overnight Shukubo Temple Lodging or Ryokan, Higashihara (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 4: Tokushima: Temples 11 - 12 (24km/14.9mi)

Travel south by pre-booked and pre-paid taxi to Temple 11 Fujii-dera, a fascinating hillside temple complex. After time to explore Fujii-dera, your taxi will bring you to Ryusuian Temple, part-way up the mountain en-route to Shosan-ji. From there you walk up the rest of the mountain to Temple 12 Shosan-ji, then finally descend to the east. The walk is fairly strenuous, but very rewarding with beautiful scenery. Walk onwards to Yorii and board a bus to the small Onsen village of Kamiyama and your inn for the evening.
Overnight Minshuku Guesthouse or Ryokan, Kamiyama (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 5: Tokushima: Temples 20 - 21 (8km/5.0mi)

Travel by pre-paid taxi to one of the most beautiful and varied hikes on the entire Pilgrimage route. From Temple 20 Kakurin-ji the trail descends to the hamlet of Anan, crosses the Nakagawa River and climbs again to Temple 21 Tairyu-ji. End the day with a cable car ride with wonderful views over a cedar forest and the small town below; this is the longest ropeway in Japan with a total length of 2,775m! Travel by bus to your accommodation for the evening.
Overnight Minshuku Guesthouse or Ryokan, Tokushima (breakfast included).

Day 6: Kagawa: Temples 82 - 80 (14km/8.7mi)

Leaving Tokushima, you'll take the train, bus and a pre-booked and prepaid taxi to a rewarding hike in northern Kagawa Prefecture. Walk through lovely scenery and visit a fine collection of temples - Temple 82 Negoro-ji, Temple 81 Shiromine-ji and finally Temple 80 Kokubun-ji. Travel onwards by train for an overnight stay in the old hot-spring town of Kotohira Spa.
Overnight Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), Kotohira Spa (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 7: Ehime: Temples 57 to 58 (5km/3.1mi)

Leaving Kagawa, travel by train and bus to Betsumyo in northern Ehime and 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 Senyū-ji. Visit Eifuku-ji and Senyū-ji and there is also an optional detour to Temple 56 Taisan-ji. Overnight at Senyū-ji in the Shukubo pilgrims' lodgings at the temple, or alternatively stay in a western-style hotel in Imabari City.
Overnight Shukubo Temple Lodging or hotel, Imabari (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 8: Ehime: Temples 59 onwards (5km/3.1mi)

Your walk continues with a gentle walk down the mountain from Senyū-ji, with the opportunity to explore small village settlements on the way. Return to the town of Imabari, with an optional paved town hike on to Temple 59 Iyo Kokubun-ji. Take the train from the end of your walk in Iyo-Tomita to Matsuyama, followed by a tram to Dogo Onsen.
Overnight Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), Dogo Onsen (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 9: Ehime: Temples 45 to 44 (12km/7.5mi)

Take a pre-paid taxi from your ryokan to Temple 45 Iwaya-ji, a temple closely linked to Kōbō Daishi - the priest who founded Shingon Buddhism and Mount Koya. Climb the iconic ladder to his meditation spot, with its spectacular views over the surrounding region. From Iwaya-ji, enjoy a lovely forest hike to Temple 44 Daiho-ji before returning by bus and tram to Dogo Onsen in the evening.
Overnight Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), Dogo Onsen (breakfast and dinner included).

Day 10: Ehime: Temples 60 to 62 (14km/8.7mi)

Your pilgrimage ends with a rewarding hike in the east of Ehime Prefecture. Travel by tram and bus to Ooto, then take a pre-paid taxi to reach the starting point. Walk to Temple 60 Yokomine-ji, Temple 61 Kōon-ji and onwards to Temple 62 Hoju-ji. The walk passes through a rural area of Shikoku and the temples are in lovely natural settings. After the walk, travel onwards by train to Osaka, arriving mid-evening for your final evening.
Overnight Osaka (breakfast included).

Day 11: Depart Osaka

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking the train back to Osaka Kansai Int. Airport (approx. 35mins).