Duration: 5 days
Availability: Recommended from March to November
Price: Starting from USD1395
Day 1 – Tokushima (Temples 1 to 3)
Take a long-distance bus from Kyoto or Osaka to Tokushima Prefecture. Start your journey with a leisurely introduction to the Shikoku treks in the peaceful areas of Tokushima. Visit Temple 1 Ryozen-ji, Temple 2 Gokuraku-ji, and Temple 3 Konsen-ji, three of the trail’s most striking temples. Spend your first night in a Shukubo Temple lodging, as all pilgrims ought to. Another choice is to spend this first night at a Ryokan in the city center.
Day 2
Travel south from your Shukubo pilgrims lodging by pre-booked and pre-paid taxi to Temple 11 Fujii-dera, located at the bottom of a fascinating hillside temple complex. From Fujii-dera undertake a challenging hike to Temple 12 Shosan-ji. The full walk is one of the longest and most strenuous on the tour, but very rewarding with beautiful scenery. Walk onwards to Yorii and board a bus to the small Onsen village of Kamiyama and your inn for the evening.
Day 3
Travel by pre-paid taxi to one of the most beautiful and varied hikes on the entire 88 Pilgrimage route. From Temple 20 Kakurin-ji the trail descends to the hamlet of Anan, crosses the Nakagawa River and climbs again to Temple 21 Tairyu-ji. End the day with a cable car ride with wonderful views over a cedar forest and the small town below. Travel by bus to your accommodation for the evening.
Day 4
Leaving Tokushima, travel by bus and a pre-paid taxi to a rewarding hike in northern Kagawa Prefecture. Walk through lovely scenery and visit a fine collection of temples – Temple 82 Negoro-ji, Temple 81 Shiromine-ji and finally Temple 80 Kokubun-ji. Travel onwards by train for an overnight stay in the old hot-spring town of Kotohira Spa.
Day 5
After breakfast, spend some time exploring Kotohira Spa. Board a train after lunch for the return journey to Osaka or Kyoto, arriving late afternoon.
