The trail towards enlightenment

Highlights

  • Village to village walking on the loveliest parts of the old Nakasendo Trail

  • Bathe in the thermal waters at a hot-spring Ryokan

  • Hike country trails and quiet rural roads, with some gentle ascents and descents

  • Visit the exquisitely-preserved villages of Magome, Tsumago and Narai

  • Walking over 3 days in the picturesque Kiso Valley with overnight stays in Tsumago and Kiso-Fukushima

  • Sleep on Futons laid out on Tatami-mat flooring in traditional Japanese inns

Mixed town roads (paved) and forest trails (unpaved) – the walk is strenuous at times, with days of up to 7 hours of hiking

Trip level:    Strenuous
Availability:  Anytime of year. Suggested from March to November
Price per person:  starting from A$2795

Enquire Now

Shikoku is Japan’s fourth-largest island- and home to some of the country’s most spectacular and unspoilt scenery.

Shikoku is famous as the setting for one of Japan’s most ancient walking trails-  the challenging Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.

The Pilgramage trail connects 88 Buddhist temples , with the full walk covering more than a thousand kilometres. Pilgrims- known as O-henro, historically covered the journey on foot over many weeks, whilst staying overnight at temple lodgings (Shukubo). Today, modern Japanese travellers travel from temple to temple by tour bus, but Japan Holidays have found sections of the original route which can still be enjoyed on foot.

On  Day 6 of the tour, you may wish to try your hand at Sanuki Udon noodle-making. Please ask for information about tour extensions, including visits to the mountain-top temple town of Mount Koya with its monastery lodgings, the art island of Naoshima or Miyajima Island ( UNESCO World Heritage), and Tomonoura Bay on the Setouchi inland sea.

This tour offers more advanced hiking.

Whats Included

  • 9 nights at Japanese inns on Shikoku Island

  • 9 breakfasts + 9 dinners

  • Round-trip transportation from Kyoto (or Osaka ) + 4 pre-paid taxis

  • Detailed day-by-day itinerary, walking directions and Shikoku Island guidebook

  • Topographical maps

  • Local support by telephone

Whats Not Included

  • Flights

  • Airport transfers

  • Pay locally for drinks with meals and for lunches

  • Pay locally for bus journeys on each day and the cable car journey on Day 4

  • Single room supplement(s) if required

Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage

Map and Itinerary

please click on icons below to view itinerary details