Discover Shikoku Pilgrimage, Made Simple
The Shikoku Pilgrimage, known as Ohenro, is a journey to the 88 sacred temples across Shikoku, Japan.
At Ohenro Compass, we provide useful information for exploring the pilgrimage, from details about all 88 temples and routes between them to pilgrimage plans by foot, train, bus, or car.
Whether you’re planning to start your pilgrimage or are already making your way around Shikoku,
we hope you’ll find a way to plan your journey that suits you best.
Explore the 88 Temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage
The 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage are spread across the four prefectures of Tokushima, Kochi, Ehime, and Kagawa.
From Ryozenji, Temple No. 1, to Okuboji, Temple No. 88, we provide information about each temple, including its history, highlights, goshuin (temple stamps), access, and routes between temples.
Explore the information for each temple and start planning your own Shikoku Pilgrimage journey.
How Will You Make Your Shikoku Pilgrimage?
There are several ways to complete the Shikoku Pilgrimage. You can walk the entire route, or travel by car, train, or bus.
At Ohenro Compass, we provide useful information for each style of pilgrimage.
Walking the Pilgrimage by Prefecture
If you plan to walk the Shikoku Pilgrimage, the characteristics of the route vary greatly from one prefecture to another.
We provide practical information for walkers, including distances and walking times between temples, mountain trails and hills, convenience stores, rest areas, and pilgrim huts.
You can find answers to questions such as:
- “How many kilometers is it to the next temple?”
- “How long will it take to get there?”
- “Is there somewhere to take a break along the way?”
Use this information to plan your own walking pilgrimage with confidence.
Exploring the Pilgrimage by Train and Bus
You don’t have to walk every section of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. You can also use trains and buses to travel between the temples.
Some sections require transfers between multiple train or bus routes, while others have limited bus services. It is therefore important to check your transportation options in advance.
At Ohenro Compass, we provide information on train and bus routes between temples, fares, travel times, and more.
A 10-Day Model Course for the Shikoku Pilgrimage by Car
Traveling by car allows you to move efficiently through sections that would take much longer to complete on foot.
At Ohenro Compass, we provide sample itineraries for completing the pilgrimage by car, tailored to different trip lengths.
Whether you want to visit all 88 temples within a limited number of days or are planning a pilgrimage with your family, our itineraries take into account the order of the temples and travel distances, helping you plan a pilgrimage that fits your schedule.
Your First Shikoku Pilgrimage
“I’d like to go on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, but where should I start?”
For those who are new to the pilgrimage, we also explain the basics of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
- What is the Shikoku Pilgrimage?
- What are the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage?
- How many days does it take?
- How much does it cost?
- What should I prepare?
- Which is best: walking, driving, or taking trains and buses?
- What are Jun’uchi and Gyaku’uchi?
We’ve put together the essential information you need to know before starting your first Shikoku Pilgrimage, explained in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
For Those Actually Making the Pilgrimage
There are some things you simply can’t learn from maps and distances alone when making the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
Long mountain trails, steep hills, stretches without a convenience store, and places where you can take a break are all things that are helpful to know before setting out.
At Ohenro Compass, we also share practical information from the perspective of pilgrims, based on our own experience of walking the pilgrimage.
We aim to make it as easy as possible to understand what the roads and trails are really like, as well as the things we noticed while walking—details you may not discover just by visiting the temples.
Find the Pilgrimage Style That’s Right for You
There is no single right way to complete the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
Some people walk their way across Shikoku.
Others travel by car to visit the temples more efficiently.
Some use trains and buses to get from one temple to another.
Depending on your time, fitness level, and purpose of your journey, you can choose the way that works best for you.
At Ohenro Compass, we provide information that helps you think not only about “which temples to visit,” but also “how to travel around the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.”
Whether you are just starting your pilgrimage or are already traveling around Shikoku,
we hope Ohenro Compass can be your “compass” for your journey through the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
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