Shikoku Pilgrimage (Partial)

How would you rate Shikoku Pilgrimage (Partial)?

Tap a star to share your experience and help other hikers.

Shikoku Pilgrimage (Partial): A 6-Day Henro Walk

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

306

Ranked #306 of 974

See the Top 100 →

HikeList Score

Shikoku Pilgrimage (Partial) scored 83/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Great Hike

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 93
Balanced challenge 84
Scenery & wildness 79
Varied terrain 100
Accommodation 76
Food & support 72
Path quality 84
Season flexibility 76

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

Shikoku Pilgrimage (Partial) is a 120 km, 6-day, hard point-to-point section of the Shikoku Henro in Japan. It follows the opening Awa leg in Tokushima Prefecture, from Temple 1 Ryozen-ji in Naruto towards Temple 23 Yakuo-ji at Hiwasa on the Pacific coast. The first days are mostly easy village and suburban walking, but the Shosanji, Kakurinji and Tairyuji mountain temples make this a serious route. If you are comparing Japanese pilgrimage trails, also see the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi Route.

Route Overview

This is a shortened section of the Tokushima/Awa leg of the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage, not the full 1,200 km circuit. The route starts at Ryozen-ji, Temple 1 in Naruto, then links early temples including Gokuraku-ji and Konsen-ji before reaching Fujiidera, Temple 11. From there the walk crosses the Shosanji Road to Shosanji, Temple 12, the notorious henro korogashi climb. The later section tackles the mountain temples of Kakurinji and Tairyuji before finishing at Yakuo-ji, Temple 23, in Hiwasa. Transport access details are not verified in the brief, so plan arrival and departure separately. For a wider pilgrimage comparison, see the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes.

Kukai and the Henro Tradition

The Shikoku Pilgrimage honours Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi, founder of the esoteric Shingon school of Buddhism. The full circuit links 88 temples associated with his life and teaching across four Shikoku prefectures. Walking pilgrims are known as henro and are traditionally recognised by white clothing, a conical sedge hat and a kongo-zue staff, said to embody Kukai’s presence. The Tokushima section, Temples 1–23, represents hosshin, or “awakening”, the first of the pilgrimage’s four spiritual stages.

Notable highlights

Ryozen-ji (Temple 1): The official starting point in Naruto, known as Ichiban-san, or “Number One”. It is where many pilgrims buy or receive the white henro clothing, sedge hat and kongo-zue staff.

Shosanji (Temple 12): Reached from Fujiidera by the gruelling henro korogashi mountain crossing. At 706 m, it is the second-highest temple on the pilgrimage and one of the defining tests of this section.

Kakurinji (Temple 20): A steep mountain-temple ascent to a site at 470 m on Mt Washigao. The setting among cedars makes it one of the more atmospheric climbs of the Tokushima leg.

Tairyuji (Temple 21): A mountain temple at 618 m linked to Kukai’s ascetic training at Shashingatake rock. It can be reached on foot or by the 2,775 m ropeway.

Osettai: The local tradition of giving pilgrims food, drink or small gifts as an act of merit. It is a practical and cultural part of walking the henro.

Yakuo-ji (Temple 23) and Hiwasa: The coastal temple that closes the Awakening leg. Hiwasa is a Pacific fishing town also known for its sea-turtle nesting beach.

Challenges to expect

Do not judge the route by the easy opening days. Much of the walk uses paved roads, village lanes and suburban streets, but the Shosanji Road between Temples 11 and 12 is steep, forested and rocky. Kakurinji and Tairyuji add further hard ascents and descents, including temple steps. Spring and autumn are best; summer is hot, humid and typhoon-prone, while higher ground can be cold in winter. For a very different Japanese long-distance coastal walk, compare the Michinoku Coastal Trail.

306

Ranked #306 of 974

See the Top 100 →