Check out the 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Japan

The 88 Temple Pilgrimage is a 1,300-kilometre-long pilgrimage through the Japanese island of Shikoku.

Temple Pilgrimage is the most famous pilgrimage track in Japan. The way goes around the whole island of Shikoku. As the name says, it goes through 88 temples. Additionally, another 20 temples can be visited, if you walk even further.

Many of these temples are known by all the Buddhists, have been founded by them or restored at some time by a Buddhist monk or scholar. The temples have a high place within Japanese culture. They are not only an achievement of architecture and a place of faith, but they served for many centuries to spread Japanese culture. Within the walls of these temples, we know that many things like the kana syllabary or the tantric teachings of Buddhism from China have been developed into a uniquely Japanese cultural good.

While most present-day pilgrims (an estimated some hundred thousands each year) make the tour by bus, a rather small group still opt for an old-fashioned pilgrimage, goingin on foot. It is a journey which goes about more than a month to complete. It is known as o-henro-san in Japanese, and it can be seen in the sign on the temples or roadsides towards Shikoku.

The name simply means two travellers travelling together. That doesn’t mean that you are travelling alone, it simply means that the spirit of Dogyo Ninin is traveling with you. This is a highly regarded spiritually entity within Japanese religious cults. Lodging can be found everywhere along the way. Many hostels cater specially for pilgrims along the way. However, their prices, of over $80, are quite expensive for most tourists. If you are travelling on a budget, go for henro houses. They are equivalent to bed and breakfasts. They are family prices where you should trade the price. They appreciate pilgrims who want to stay in their houses and if they know you are doing the whole way on foot, they will provide you shelter and food for a very reasonable fee.

Prepare yourself conveniently for this route. 1,300 kilometres is not for everyone, especially if you are not accustomed to long trips, you should consider doing a part of the route by bus. This is not a flat way. Quite in contrary, it is constantly hill up and hill down, under a burning sun and heavy rain.

Many pilgrims dress up in traditional attire: hakuim the coat of a pilgrim. An optional wagesa, scarf worn around the neck to indicate that you are on a religious pilgrimage. Sugegasa, straw hat. Kongotsue, a walking stick. This last is an indispensable sign to identify you as a pilgrim

Most pilgrims walking on foot average not more than 25 km every day. The trip can last between five to seven weeks.