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Japan’s 88-temple Shikoku Trail

Done the Camino? Try tackling Japan’s 88-temple Shikoku Trail

Thoughts and Prayers are Appreciated

Pilgrims wend their way from shrine to shrine around the island of Shikoku. The full walking circuit covers more than 700 miles and includes stops at each of the 88 Buddhist temples.

Around the island of Shikoku, pilgrims wend their way from shrine to shrine. The full walking circuit covers more than 700 miles and includes stops at each of 88 Buddhist temples.

The trail’s culture of kindness

Indeed, pilgrims along the trail invariably spoke of the kindnesses of the locals. This is the culture of osettai, a unique feature of the Shikoku pilgrimage. “I experience this almost every day as a pilgrim,” said Imaizumi. “Usually it’s a mandarin or some sweets; one time a woman stopped her car and jumped out to give me 300 yen.”

Travelers’ interest in long-distance walks is at an all-time high. The famed Camino de Santiago in Spain saw a record 446,000 pilgrims last year. The Henro sees a fraction of that. Nevertheless, the numbers of walkers and foreign visitors seem to be rising.