Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail

Perfect for those wanting to experience the quiet and contemplation of a pilgrimage route through the Japanese countryside. There are some significant ascents meaning this tour is best suited to those with a good level of fitness. Stays in rural guesthouses and time in the cities of Kyoto and Osaka complete the experience.

Pilgrimages | For those looking to follow a path of self-discovery. Our Pilgrimage and Camino routes take you on a journey through diverse landscapes and local flavours, while meeting like-minded adventurers along the way.

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

This tour is graded moderate with walks as long as 14km (with some longer options on most days) with some strenuous ascents and descents. You should be a regular walker in good shape to get the most from the trip. Terrain is varied with a mix of paved paths, woodland trails, stone steps and trails alongside paddy fields.

On this tour, you will stay in a mixture of Ryokan, Minshuku, Shukubo temples and western-style 3-star hotels.

The classic Japanese inn, Ryokan come in many styles, but are united by flawless service and exquisitely-prepared food. Ryokan may be in modern or traditional wooden buildings, but rooms are always Japanese style, with Tatami (straw mat) floors and futons for sleeping laid out in the evening by the Ryokan staff. Minshuku are similar to Ryokan but family-run and with less formal service. Rooms are more simply-furnished and guests typically lay out their own futons.  Regardless if you have requested a double or a twin room you will get 2 separate futons to sleep on in your traditional Japanese room.

Ryokan rooms sometimes have private bathrooms. Minshuku offer toilet and bathing facilities ‘along the corridor’. Baths may be smaller rooms, used privately in turn by guests; or they may be larger communal bathing suites, one for men and one for women. As availability is limited we cannot guarantee or inform you in advance of booking which type of Japanese Inn you will overnight in.

Shukubo are pilgrim’s lodgings attached to the temples. They are similar to Ryokan and Minshuku but are a bit simpler and bathroom facilities are shared. There are several shared toilets and washbasins, and two rooms for communal bathing in natural thermal water, segregated by gender. The food is prepared in a similar style to Buddhist Shojin cuisine, but do include some meat and fish.  It is a wonderful experience to stay in a shukubo and there is also the opportunity to join the early morning religious service.

We provide you with detailed information on the etiquette of staying in these beautiful traditional Japanese Inns.

In large cities like Kyoto, Tokushima, and Osaka, we use western-style hotels of a 3* standard.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is available to solo walkers and a limited number of single rooms are available, although a single/solo supplement is payable.

Meals

Japanese cuisine is the highlight of many people’s visit to Japan and this is especially the case on the Shikoku trail. Your trip includes all breakfasts and 4 evening meals whilst on the trail, Most meals will be Japanese cuisine, though breakfast in western-style hotels usually includes more familiar choices. Dinner and breakfast in ryokan and minshuku are set meals, usually with a whole succession of different dishes which will delight you. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included with meals. Tipping is not customary at hotels and restaurants in Japan. 

The route is partly waymarked (in English and Japanese) and we provide detailed route notes and topographic maps so you should have no problem following the trail.

This trip is available from early April until the end of October. Accommodations are busy and may charge extra during the following Japanese holiday periods: New Year (29 December - 04 January), Golden Week (29 April - 05 May), and O-bon (13-15 August)

Time of Year

It is tough to beat the spring months of April and May but the autumn colours in October is also lovely. It can get quite hot and humid in July and August. Overall, the best months to travel are either April-June or September-October.

The best airport to arrive into is Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX). Or, you could fly into Tokyo Narita (NRT) and take an internal flight or the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto (3h30).

The West Japan Rail Company operates services between Kansai Airport and Osaka/Kyoto. Their website has timetables and route maps. The Airport Express HARUKA (Kansai Airport Line) takes approx 75 mins to Kyoto.

The best airport to depart from is Osaka Kansi Airport (KIX). Or you could take an internal flight or the shinkansen (bullet train) from Kyoto (3h30) to Tokyo and fly out of Tokyo Narita (NRT).

The West Japan Rail Company operates services between Kansai Airport and Osaka/Kyoto. The Airport Express HARUKA (Kansai Airport Line) takes approx 75 mins to Kyoto.

Luggage transfer is not included during your walk/hike as standard. You can use the Japanese Takkubin service to have access to your bag in the middle of your itinerary.

Takkubin (sometimes Takkyubin or Takuhaibin)

Takkubin is a luggage courier service which you can only book once you are in Japan. It is reliable and well-priced at approximately £15 per journey (you will have 2 on this itinerary). Your bags will not be moved each day. The price is based per bag under 25kg/55lbs.

On the Shikoku hike, you have access to your luggage only when in Tokushima. The other nights you have to carry your essentials with you. In the accommodation you are provided with robes and shoes to wear in the traditional houses, so you will only need to carry a light bag.

With Takkubin your Shikoku hiking itinerary would be:

• You send your luggage from Kyoto (or from wherever you are before you start your hike) to Tokushima. You travel by train & bus with your overnight things (and no heavy suitcase) to the Tokushima Prefecture and hike to Higashihara. No access to main bag.
• Hike/Travel to Kamiyama. No access to main bag.
• Hike/Travel to Tokushima. Access to main bag.
• Send your main bag to the destination after your hike (Osaka). You travel/hike to Kotohira No access to main bag.
• Kotohira. Train to Osaka (no heavy suitcase). Reunited with luggage at hotel at end of the day.

Exactly where you leave and collect your bags for Takkubin is clearly explained in your final information. It is a widely used and efficient service, with many tourists and locals using it every day.