Customizable
A Journey Through 88 Temples
Best of Shikoku Pilgrimage Tour
8
Days
7
Nights
Explore 88 Temples and 1,200 Years of History on a Spiritual Journey Through Shikoku.
The Shikoku Pilgrimage includes 88 temples, but visiting them all in one trip is often impractical. This guided 7-day tour takes you to the most beautiful and significant temples across Shikoku’s four prefectures, offering a curated experience of the pilgrimage.
Travel by private vehicle and enjoy varied accommodations, from temple lodgings to modern hotels and onsen ryokan. Explore stunning temples tied to Kūkai, the founder of the pilgrimage, and Emon Saburō, its first pilgrim, while immersing yourself in Shikoku’s rich history and traditions.
Itinerary
8
Days
7
Nights
Shikoku is a big place, and to see everything in eight days calls for busy days. However, you pass through some spectacularly beautiful and varied countryside, and this is sure to be a memorable journey.
Matsuyama
Welcome to Matsuyama, Shikoku! Make your own way to your hotel in Matsuyama by train or Airport Limousine Bus, we will provide full instructions in advance.
Deluxe Class - TBA
Matsuyama
The tour starts in Matsuyama, in Ehime Prefecture. Your first temple visit is to No. 60 Yokomine-ji. Located in the foothills of Mt. Ishizuchi, it’s renowned as one of the most difficult to access.
The next stop is No. 64 Maegami-ji, once a Shintō shrine associated with Mt. Ishizuchi. No. 58 Senyū-ji on a mountainside outside Imabari has magnificent temple guardians.
The next temple is No. 52 Taisan-ji whose belfry has remarkable scenes of heaven and hell. The last temple of the day is No. 51 Ishite-ji, associated with Emon Saburō, considered the first pilgrim.
Breakfas/DinnerDeluxe Class - TBA
Ehime to Kochi
The day starts with a climb up to Kuma Highland where you visit No. 44 Daihō-ji in a forest of massive trees, and No. 45 Iwaya-ji built into a rocky mountainside. The beautiful Niyodo River rises in the highland, and you follow it down into Kōchi Prefecture.
No. 36 Shōryū-ji is located on a peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean. Kūkai is said to have produced a spring at No. 35 Kiyotaki-ji, the last stop. The day’s journey ends in Kōchi City, with dinner at the popular and convivial Hirome Market.
Breakfast/DinnerDeluxe Class -TBA
Kochi
Your first stop today is Katsurahama Beach with its statue of Sakamoto Ryōma gazing out over the Pacific. Then you head around Kōchi Bay to No. 31 Chikurin-ji, a lovely leafy temple with a tall red pagoda. Next you visit No. 26 Kongōchō-ji where Kūkai debated a tengu.
The next stop, No. 27 Kōnomine-ji is one of the difficult to reach temples situated 632 m above sea level. The last stop of the day is No. 24 Hotsumisaki-ji and the nearby lighthouse at the end of the Muroto Peninsula.
Breakfast/DinnerTraditional Japanese style Inn
Kochi to Tokushima
The first stop is at Mikuro Cave where Kūkai lived when he sought enlightenment. Then you head up the eastern side of the Muroto Peninsula into Tokushima, to No. 23 Yakuō-ji. Here you can protect yourself from bad fortune by placing coins on the steep steps.
At No. 22 Byōdō-ji, Kūkai dug a well for the consecration of this temple. You take a cable car to get No. 21 Tairyū-ji, situated high up in the mountains with a view over much of Shikoku. No. 20 Kakurin-ji is another beautiful mountaintop temple, featuring several statues of sacred cranes.
Breakfast/Dinner Onsen (Hot Spring bath) hotel -TBA
Kagawa
The day starts with a visit to No. 14, Jōraku-ji, site of a touching miracle. Next stop is No. 15 Awa Kokubun-ji, one of only three Zen temples on the pilgrimage. No. 1 Ryōzen-ji is where many pilgrims start, although traditionally, pilgrims have started from where they happen to enter Shikoku.
The next temple, No. 2 Gokuraku-ji is visited by women seeking easy childbirth. At No. 8 Kumadani-ji, you can see the temple gate which is considered to be the finest of all 88 temples. The last stop is No. 88 Ōkubo-ji in Kagawa Prefecture, the last temple for many pilgrims.
Breakfast/Dinner
Kagawa
The mountains of Kagawa Prefecture have a distinctive shape, and none more so than Mt. Yashima. The first stop is at No. 84 Yashima-ji atop this dramatic plateau. No. 85 Yakuri-ji is near the site of an ancient battle in the Genpei War.
Kagawa takes its name from the next temple, No. 82 Negoro-ji, where a fragrant river flowed from the base of a tree there. No. 81 Shiromine-ji has some of the oldest buildings on the pilgrimage, dating back to the seventeenth century.
At No. 73 Shusshaka-ji, the young Kūkai took a death-defying leap from imposing Mt. Gahaishi. Your final stop is No. 75 Zentsū-ji, a very large temple complex and the place of Kūkai’s birth.
Breakfast/Dinner
Kagawa
After visiting Konpira Shrine (optional), you can take convenient public transport from Kotohira to Takamatsu Airport or Station for your onward journey.
*We can arrange car service for an additional fee.
Notes
Accommodations: 7 nights in Hotel/Ryokan (Japanese inn)
Meals: Daily breakfast, Dinner shown as included
Private vehicle w/ English-speaking driver*
Basic insurance *See Notes
Fees & Taxes
International Airfares
Travel to and from Shikoku
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Comprehensive personal Insurance
Personal expenses (e.g. telephone, laundry)
Meal Request
Japanese cooking is based on fish stock, and the Japanese love their fish and meat. On this tour, you stay in traditional Japanese accommodation that is proud of its cuisine, especially the fish. For breakfast and dinner, it is possible to ask for ‘largely’ vegetarian food, but no guarantees are offered. You can generally find vegetarian options for lunch, but with limited choice.
What does the English-speaking driver do?
The English-speaking driver will drive, help with check-in, and offer advice on the smooth operation of your tour. This allows you the peace of mind that you won’t encounter a situation where you’re alone and helpless. However, the driver doesn’t provide guide services. If you want a guided tour, please let us know and we’ll provide a guide.
What is the 'basic insurance' mentioned in Inclusions?
When you purchase a tour from Amnet, we automatically enroll you in basic travel insurance as a legal requirement. The insurance pays out up to 300 million yen per incident.
Although we enroll you in basic travel insurance, you should still purchase your own general travel insurance in case our coverage is insufficient.
Price & Deposit
Prices as of Nov 2024, subject to exchange rates. Non refundable US$200 deposit per person, with final payment due 2 months before departure.
Cancellation Policy (Local Time)
200USD deposit is non refundable
Cancelled more than 21 days prior to start: No charge.
Cancelled between 20 and 8 days prior to start: 20% of the total fee
Cancelled between 7 days and 48 hours prior to start: 30% of the total fee
Cancelled after 48 hours to the day of start or failure to show: 100% of the total fee
No refunds will be given after the tour has commenced.
Additional Information
Requests must be made 60+ days in advance.
Reservations must be made 30+ days in advance.
Carry cash, as credit cards may not be accepted in villages.
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