How long does it take to complete the Shikoku pilgrimage?

about 6 weeks
This will take about 6 weeks (average 30km/day) and cost about 400,000 yen. This is the most traditional way, but it takes the most time and money.

How often does the Shikoku pilgrimage occur?

While most modern-day pilgrims (an estimated 100,000 yearly) travel by tour bus, a small minority still set out the old-fashioned way on foot, a journey which takes about six weeks to complete.

What is Shikoku island known for?

Shikoku is also famous for its 88-temple pilgrimage of temples. The pilgrimage was established by the ancient Buddhist priest Kūkai, a native of Shikoku.

Why is Shikoku called Shikoku?

Shikoku literally means “four provinces”, those of Awa, Tosa, Iyo, and Sanuki, reorganized during the Meiji period into the prefectures of Tokushima, Kōchi, Ehime, and Kagawa.

How are the islands of Hokkaido and Shikoku connected?

Bridges and tunnels. Honshu is connected to the islands of Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku by tunnels and bridges. Three bridge systems have been built across the islands of the Inland Sea between Honshu and Shikoku ( Akashi Kaikyō Bridge and the Ōnaruto Bridge; Shin-Onomichi Bridge, Innoshima Bridge, Ikuchi Bridge, Tatara Bridge,…

Where does the Shikoku Pilgrimage start and end?

Many pilgrims begin and complete the journey by visiting Mount Kōya in Wakayama Prefecture, which was settled by Kūkai and remains the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism. The 21 kilometres (13 mi) walking trail up to Koya-san still exists, but most pilgrims use the train.

Where is the island of Honshu in Japan?

It is located south of Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyūshū across the Kanmon Straits. The island separates the Sea of Japan, which lies to its north and west, from the North Pacific Ocean to the south and east.

Which is the smallest of the four islands of Honshu?

To the southeast of Honshu sits the small island of Shikoku, actually the smallest of the ‘Big Four’. Shikoku is one of the islands most steeped in local culture and happens to be the place of one of the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage spots in the world.