A Guide to the Shikoku Pilgrimage

The mountainous island of Shikoku is famed for its impressive 1,460-kilometre circuit made up of 88 Buddhist temples known as the Shikoku Pilgrimage, or Shikoku Henro. Spread between all four of Shikoku’s prefectures, pilgrims often take one or two months to complete the trek but are said to receive great personal gain from the expedition. With some parts of the route easily accessible by foot or car from Shikoku’s main cities, visitors can partake in a leg of the journey or take on the full challenge to attempt the accomplishment of enlightenment.

A Guide to the Shikoku Pilgrimage

Pilgrimages have been an essential part of Buddhism for centuries, a concept imported into Japan from India and Nepal. The length of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, much of which was established by the influential esoteric Buddhist Kobo Daishi, is covered on a circular route that snakes around the whole of Shikoku passing by the selected temples scattered across each of the island’s four prefectures.

Taking part in the pilgrimage and praying along the way is seen as a cleansing experience and a physical journey symbolic of the path towards enlightenment. Undoubtedly one of the country’s most highly regarded religious routes, the Shikoku Pilgrimage attracts a vast number of pilgrims every year, both serious Buddhists and visitors with interest in this fascinating spiritual journey. The hilly course can be demanding at times but there are plenty of opportunities for rests and snack breaks along the way as well as ample places to stay overnight, including some modest temple accommodation such as at the 58th temple: Senyu-ji.

A Guide to the Shikoku Pilgrimage

A Guide to the Shikoku Pilgrimage

While each temple along the pilgrimage is numbered there is no rule-breaking in taking an alternative route or - more commonly for the less committed pilgrim - just stopping by a handful of temples for a taste of the atmosphere. In spite of this, it makes sense to start at temple #1, Ryozen-ji, which is located in Naruto in the very east of Shikoku at one of the most commonly taken entrances into the island. Believed to have been founded in the eighth century, Ryozen-ji temple is said to be the beginning of the journey towards spiritual enlightenment. With the Shikoku Pilgrimage split into four sections and concepts, Ryozen-ji and the subsequent 22 temples focus on awakening; this is followed by austerity and discipline in the next leg of the route from temples 24 to 39, then attaining enlightenment at temples 40 to 65, and finally entering nirvana for the last 23 temples.

A Guide to the Shikoku Pilgrimage

A Guide to the Shikoku Pilgrimage

Temple etiquette is a crucial element of any holy visit and luckily not hard to copy thanks to the surplus of aficionados along the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Every temple visit should start at the temizuya used for purification before entering the temple: Wash each hand one at a time followed by a quick rinse of your mouth. Make sure that any used water isn’t going back into the central pool but down the sides. Once inside the temple, visitors can buy incense or candles as well as offering coins while the pilgrims chant and make prayers. Many temples are also home to stores selling lucky charms and ornaments.

A Guide to the Shikoku Pilgrimage

Senyuji Temple

Ehime Imabari-shi

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Ryozen-ji Temple (Starting point for the Shikoku 88-temple Pilgrimage)

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Tokushima Pref. Narutoshi Oasachoubandou Tsukahana 126

0886891111

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