5-Day Shikoku 88-Ohenro Pilgrimage Tour by Private Car
Customisable Itinerary
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Trip Overview
Dating back 1,200 years and covering 1,200 kilometres, the Shikoku 88 Ohenro pilgrimage is one of the world's oldest and longest; this Japan culture tour will take you deep into the story that surrounded it. Ringing Shikoku Island, one of Japan's four main islands, the pilgrimage was established by Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, he continues to play a role in the pilgrimage today.
Over five days, you'll be taken by private car to see the most famous temples of Shikoku on this route. Each night you'll be staying in quaint, traditional ryokans or in temple accommodation with other pilgrims. You'll learn about the fascinating history of each of these temples from your local guide and visit some astonishing sites on the way. Dating back 1,200 years and covering 1,200 kilometres, the Shikoku 88 Ohenro pilgrimage is one of the world's oldest and longest; this Japan culture tour will take you deep into the story that surrounded it. Ringing Shikoku Island, one of Japan's four main islands, the pilgrimage was established by Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, he continues to play a role in the pilgrimage today.
Over five days, you'll be taken by private car to see the most famous temples of Shikoku on this route. Each night you'll be staying in quaint, traditional ryokans or in temple accommodation with other pilgrims. You'll learn about the fascinating history of each of these temples from your local guide and visit some astonishing sites on the way.
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Itinerary
Day 1
First Day of Pilgrimage Temples
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Today, you'll meet in Takamatsu or Tokushima to begin your five-day temple pilgrimage route. First, you'll head up to the hilltop ruins of Tokushima Castle, the ruins of a 13th-century castle nestled in beautiful gardens overlooking the town. You'll then head to Ryozen-Ji Temple, the first of the 88 temples on the pilgrimage route. Finally, you'll finish the day at Byodo-Ji Temple where you'll enjoy a meal at the temple with the other pilgrims before settling into your temple accommodation.
Accommodation
Byodo-ji Temple
Activities
Tokushima Castle Ruins
Ryozen-Ji Temple
Byodo-Ji Temple
Transportations
Private Driver from Tokushima to Temple No. 1 - Ryozenji
Meals
Dinner
Destinations
Tokushima
Naruto
Anan
Notes
Meet at Takamatsu or Tokushima Station
Day 2
Second Day of Pilgrimage
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Today, you'll begin your day by sharing a meal with the other pilgrims in the temple before setting off for a day of exploring. First, you'll make your way up to Tairyū-ji Temple, the 21st temple of the 88-temple Shikoku pilgrimage route set 610 metres above sea level and reached by a steep mountain path. You'll then continue to Saba Daisha, one of the extra 20 temples of the Shikoku Ohenro Bekkaku route before arriving in Muroto where you'll explore the marvellous rock formations.
Accommodation
Ake no Hoshi★3 star
Activities
Tairyū-ji Temple
Saba Daishi
Muroto
Hotsumisaki-Ji Temple
Transportations
Private Driver from Temple No. 22 - Byodo-Ji to Temple No. 21 - Tairyuji
Walking from Mt. Tairyuji to Temple No. 21 - Tairyuji
Private Driver from Temple No. 21 - Tairyuji to Muroto
Private Driver from Temple No. 24 - Hotsumisaki-Ji to Utoco Deep Sea Therapy Center & Spa
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Anan
Muroto
Day 3
Third Day of Pilgrimage
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Today, you'll begin your day by exploring the Muroto Global Geopark, a place where you can read the history of the Earth from the rocks. You'll then move on to Kitagawa Village Monet's Garden, the only garden of Monet's outside of his home country. Here, you'll enjoy lunch in the peaceful surroundings of vibrant flowers, water lilies and swaying willow trees. Next, you'll explore Zentsu-Ji, the 75th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Today is a fully immersive day on your Japan culture tour.
Accommodation
Rihga Hotel Zest Takamatsu★4 star
Activities
Muroto Cape - UNESCO Global Geopark
Kitagawa Village Monet's Garden Marmottan
Zentsu-Ji
Takamatsu Shopping Arcade
Transportations
Private Driver from Ake no Hoshi to Kitagawa village "Monet's Garden" Marmottan
Private Driver from Kitagawa village "Monet's Garden" Marmottan to Takamatsu
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Muroto
Kitagawa
Zentsuji
Takamatsu
Day 4
The Fourth Day of Your Pilgrimage
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Today, you'll begin the day by taking a hike up to Ritsurin Kōen, a vast landscape garden in the centre of Takamatsu which is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Japan. You'll then drive to Yashima-ji on the flat-topped mountain and Yakuri-ji Temple, the 85th temple of the famous Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. You'll then visit the Okubo-ji before taking the long drive to Tokushima where you'll enjoy a traditional Awa Odori Dance at the Awa Odori Hall.
Accommodation
Hotel Sunroute Tokushima★3 star
Activities
Ritsurin Kōen
Yashima-ji
Yakuri-ji Temple
Okubo-ji Temple
Awa Odori Museum
Transportations
Private Driver from Takamatsu to Ōkuboji Temple
Private Driver from Temple No. 88 - Ōkubo-ji to Tokushima
Meals
Lunch
Destinations
Takamatsu
Sanuki
Tokushima
Day 5
The Last Day of Your Japan Culture Tour
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Today, you'll visit the Naruto whirlpools which are created by a large amount of water that moves between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Afterwards, you'll have lunch at the whirlpools before catching a public bus back to Osaka.
Activities
Naruto Whirlpools
Transportations
Private Driver from Tokushima to Naruto
Bus from Naruto to Osaka
Meals
Lunch
Destinations
Tokushima
Naruto
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What’s included?
4 nights accommodation
16 activities
2 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
Airport transfer
Alcohol beverages
Domestic flights
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
International flights
Laundry
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 5,008/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Japan in 5 days
4-star, 3-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
