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Walk between temples 44 & 45 of the historic Shikoku Pilgrimage and learn about a route of tremendous cultural value
Shikoku District Transport Bureau
The Shikoku Henro pilgrimage involves visiting 88 specific temples associated with Kukai, or Kobo Daishi, on Japan’s fourth largest island of Shikoku. Kukai visited China in the Heian period (794-1185) as an envoy to the Tang Dynasty to study esoteric Buddhism, and upon returning to Japan, he founded the Buddhist Shingon sect.
This pilgrimage spans Shikoku’s four prefectures of Tokushima, Kochi, Ehime, and Kagawa, covering a total distance of approximately 1,200 km. It transcends nationality, religion, and sect, allowing anyone to become a pilgrim, and features an unparalleled pilgrimage culture where faith in Kukai, the practice of asceticism, and the support of the local community are intertwined.
Surrounded by the beautiful nature in Ehime’s town of Kumakogen, located right in the middle of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, this tour offers an authentic pilgrim experience amidst a mountainous sacred site.
While completing the entire pilgrimage would take over 40 days, this pilgrimage experience offers a special one-day course that allows you to visit temples 44 & 45. The journey begins with a warm welcome from experienced guides at the starting point, Daihoji Temple. After donning traditional pilgrim’s garb and enjoying a sermon, a charismatic official Henro guide then leads participants to Iwaya-ji Temple.
How to get there
From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Tokaido Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama Station (about 45 minutes). From there, take the JR Seto Ohashi Line limited express train to Matsuyama Station (about 2 hours and 40 minutes). From Matsuyama Station, you will reach Daihoji Temple in about 1 hour by car.
2-1173-2 Sugo, Kumakogen-cho, Kamiukena-gun, Ehime-ken
