THE 88 TEMPLES PILGRIMAGE IN SHIKOKU JAPAN: A Comprehensive Guide

[@theshikokuhenro]

My itinerary can now be found in the free HENRO HELPER phone app. It is under the 49 day itinerary using the most difficult routes. For more information about the app watch the youtube video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4OcpYRvpMiVZqs

[@likaverheye9271]

Are you able to share your routes on AllTrails as well? Thank you in advance!

[@casonhall5268]

Finished my pilgrimage about a month ago. Watching these videos, seeing so many places that my brother and I walked through, has got me wishing I was back there already. Such a great journey. If you are thinking about doing this trip, please do yourself a favor and make sure you do it. The planning is the hardest part, but once you get to the island, you'll find that your problems have a way of working themselves out. Maintain an open heart and an open mind, stay focused on your goals, and you will make it easily.

[@casonhall5268]

@@UsagiDango There was one at every temple when I needed to go. Almost all convenience stores will have an open bathroom for you to use. During the longer stretches where you are walking in the woods nearly all day, there will sometimes be a portalet, but it can be harder to come across. I wouldn't worry so much about it. I never had a problem.

[@cassie.m.0723]

I'm going when I turn 40 in two years, it's all I can think about and I wish I were going now

[@mbeyza92]

I'm worrying about the transportation.is it possible to see main parti of island without reyting a car?

[@casonhall5268]

@@mbeyza92 Of course. The public transportation in Japan is perhaps the best in the world.

[@juniper_booper]

I think this is the first none egotistic henro video I've ever seen. Thank you.

[@dg5209]

I just back from Ohenro. Watched a few KZbin videos before I went. To me, I felt every henros will eventually had his or her own henro, you can have a perfect planned journey or a hectic one, I met quite some henros who didn’t even know where they were going to stay tomorrow, but we all walked or worked out eventually. It’s a journey only you can make. So first, be safe, do what you can, and everything you see, everyone you meet and every route you walked made up your own henro. I will do it again.

[@davidbrown2501]

Congratulations on this movie, it was perfectly made with all the information any aspiring henro needs. I had long planned to do this after I retired, doing it in sections of 2-3 weeks at a time. Then I met a Japanese woman and will soon be married. Ultimately we plan to move back to her home in Hiroshima, a short drive to Shikoku. Your movie helped me to know what to expect and how to prepare. I’ve walked long distances for fun all my life but a motorcycle accident and age are having their effects. However your greatest achievement here was to inspire and I am now committed to embarking on the adventure myself. So thank you so much. The ironic twist in the story? My wife-to-be used to be a tour guide for Japanese henro who did the journey by bus and has been to every temple

[@con.s3n5e]

In preparation of my own Shikuko pilgrimage, I was watching almost all KZbin content, relating to it. This video was probably the longest but by far the most intriging, because it not just gives you very detailed information, but also a very good feeling, how it will be, when you embark the journey of your own. 💫🙌 Great work🙏

[@burds579]

Some clarification: Basically all huts are unavailable for sleeping, and the same goes for michi-no-eki (rest stations) these days. The best way to do this pilgrimage is to save up and spend money in local lodgings, so you can help revitalize the economy and follow the manners.

[@blahblah2779]

How come they aren’t available?

[@adriaperezpla5021]

@@blahblah2779 The author of the video says you can sleep in them but maybe does not emphasize how weird you will feel by doing it, since most locals would only be ok with it as a last resort in an emergency, since most have signs that specify sleeping is not allowed. If you plan appropriately you should not have to do it. Also they are not really comfortable, if you really want to push your body each day doing long and sometimes hard walks I recommend to rest properly.

[@amss6842]

We might not have purchased our tickets to Japan had it not been for this video. Now, sitting in our hotel in Marugame on our last day on Shikoku we are quickly scheming our return. It's August so we opted to drive and only had 7 days so we did about 35 temples. The island is quite magical. Thank you for this incredibly beautiful video. It captures everything we remember about our time on Shikoku and so much more. We will probably watch it many times more this year!

[@futureprogress]

Just booked my flights 🙌 I'll be starting in early February and plan to return late April. Thank you for this video and the app.

[@SabineKudyba]

Thank you so much for this first REALLY comprehensive guide about the henro. I watched it from beginning to end and throughout I made a lot of notes. Best ever input I have ever seen. Great scenery and loaded with information about routes, accommodation, what to bring and what to buy, costs and so on. By watching the video, one truly gets an idea about what to expect on this pilgrimage. Many thanks for taking me on the visual journey of this long distance walk. Hopefully I will be able to also complete this wonderful foot journey one day. Due to some current health problems I needed to postpone the trip to beloved Japan. But I am certain that whoever wants to get started ( from the bottom of his heart) will be successful one day. Nevertheless I will use the time until then by improving my Japanese language skills in the meantime. Whoever completed the henro will be rewarded by a lifetime memory. Congrats to you, stay healthy in whatever pilgrimage you are planning to go on in future. ありがとうございます from Germany.

[@jimkinkaid4350]

An Amazing video, I just wish I knew about this pilgrimage 20 years ago when my knees were better. Thanks!

[@followtheciaence]

Wow, after watching this for an hour, I was sure I was watching something with a half million views, amazing work.

[@ornleifs]

This was very interesting to see since I read many years ago a book about this pilgrimage and also wrote a paper about it in one of my Japanese studies class at Uni.

[@Pharisaeus]

One thing worth mentioning is that while the trail itself is roughly 1150km, you should expect to do significantly more than that. That's because a lot of the accommodation options are nowhere near the trail. Adding 2-3km to reach your hotel/ryokan etc it the norm (and next morning again, to get back on the trail). According to my GPS tracks I ended up doing 1300km. That's very different from regular mountain trails or something like Camino, and it's really something one should account for, because you might need one more week for example.

[@theshikokuhenro]

I found that most of the trail had lots of accommodation options nearby. There were some parts that i took a train or bus to get to my accommodation for the night and then took transportation the next morning to where I stopped the night before.

[@Pharisaeus]

@@theshikokuhenro I didn't use any transportation other than my legs, and even with a tent (so I had more options available) I still struggled in some parts. Also 2-3km is "reasonably nearby", but has to be accounted for when planning stages, especially now that the temples are open only 8:00-17:00 (and some accommodation also requires you to show up before certain time). I don't consider this an "issue", just something to keep in mind, similarly to accounting for the time spent in the temples (4 temples for 15 minutes each is already additional hour!).

[@94SaueN]

I wanna thank you, from the buttom of my heart. I found this journey through you and loved every single second. The good and the bad. Thank you.

[@Simonnnnnnnify]

This is one of my all time favourite youtube videos, impressive that you talk about the trip while doing it!

[@Kiev-in-3-days]

I am only 30 minutes in but I can already say this is the most focused footage on the Shikoku pilgrimage I have found so far. And so beautiful (may be too beautiful! You are only keeping the good parts haha) There are so many things I am discovering in this video. Most Henro show their face more than the scenery. This is not the case here. Most importantly you are the first one talking about those alternative paths. It really brings another dimension. I had my doubts about doing this pilgrimage because of the long boring highway sections walks. But this video is a eye opener. Well now I have to spend many hours trying to plan for my perfect route. Thanks for making this video!

[@kazumiKawa]

Congratulation! You have done it! Thank you so much! This is the best Shikoku Henro video I have ever seen. I only visited two of the temples. Someday, I will try again.

[@Mangochirp2]

This makes the Nakasendo trail look tame in comparison! Excellent film making and production!

[@AliasChosen]

Nakasendo trail was one of the best hikes I’ve ever done. I’m from the States, particularly on the West coast. We do the Sierra’s here, but just the tranquility and beauty of Kiso Valley was marvelous. I wish I could live in Japan and retire. Such a beautiful place 😊

[@Mangochirp2]

@@AliasChosen I am from the states too in the east. I hiked the Nakasendo for two weeks. I can't stop thinking about my time on the trail. Kiso Valley was the most scenic parts of the trail. I got ice cream near the Kiso horse ranch that was great. I would love to another hike in Japan. Maybe a shorted version of this pilgrimage in Shikoku or Hokkaido.

[@digiattilakovari7294]

thx for this video. i watching 3rd time… great help for my preparation.. and i just love it. so kind, so informative, so calm…thx

[@dodgerlong8358]

An excelent video, containing good information, thank you I intend to walk this in 2025. I have started to plan my days and route, this video has helped me in so many ways. Stay Safe

[@setzenmaxette5688]

I've been interested in the Shikoku pilgrimage for quite some time. Surprisingly, there is no quality video information on this pilgrimage available to the public domains. In my opinion, this is the best video I've come across. Thanks to it now I know where to find what I need )) It is very informative and helpful. I watched it to the end and enjoyed it a lot. Thank you for a great upload.

[@チョコラ-y7y]

2巡、歩き遍路をしたものですが、今年は外国人もとても多く、みなさん熱心に歩いていました。宿泊の予約が難しいかもしれませんが、日本人に手助けしてもらい、ぜひ宿坊や民宿、日本旅館も楽しんでください。

[@alexeyrubin1997]

Thx For this video and recommendation. Its was very interesting and beautiful!

[@JohnCornellier]

A useful and beautiful video.

[@theshikokuhenro]

Thank you person that I definitely do not know. I like your Dr. Disrespect costume.

[@cobrabeebop]

Thank you for sharing this great video.

[@lclark808]

thank you! this is one of the best guides to the shikoku pilgrimage. i appreciate the detailed information you've provided, the beautiful video scenes throughout the pilgrimage path, and the music provided as background. once again, thank you for your time and effort in gifting this guide to us!

[@aryehlezerovitz2410]

Great vlog. Thank you very much.

[@claudemontes]

Awesome cinematography! and the Sutra chant and the music = outstanding!

[@jasonoh6466]

thank you for documenting your journey and availing lots of insightful information for future pilgrims.

[@chocoluv808]

Thank you very much for sharing beautiful your journey.

[@taekehf]

Thank you for this informative video which I watched as preparation. I have downloaded a GPS-trail, and thatks to your video I know where the boring highways sections are, so am going to stare at the maps to find alternate routes. Arigatou gozaimashita.

[@theshikokuhenro]

You need to install the Henro Helper app. Good luck!

[@CantiloupeIsland]

Thanks.... I'm doing Camino Frances in May, and have been interested in the dual Pilgrimage recognized in Japan on the Kumano Kodo. Anyhow, beautifully presented. Thanks for opening my eyes to another adventure.

[@dragohm3520]

Thank you for this nice moments😊🕉

[@stephenhryncewicz8160]

🙏 What a journey! Next year for me, I hope.

[@akolangito6945]

To do this is my ultimate dream

[@NatsuN-x7y]

Fantastic video 📸 You are so talented 👏🎉

[@1urbanbaker]

Thank you so much!

[@lauralee8217]

Good job!!

[@theromanianpilgrim]

Thank you mate for this awesome and full of information video

[@sherylgergen6672]

Fabulous video! I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to watching again. Very peaceful. Well made with excellent footage, music and narration! Thank you for sharing.

[@lauramcgrath3162]

Wonderful video thank you! Walking this pilgrimage in September & October

[@clivewright5437]

Thank You Fanatic video and documentary. Love and Rainbows

[@Karika7202]

I enjoyed every minutes of your video. Thank you. This road is still just a plan for me.

[@garcurran5079]

Thanks for the editing, look forward to returning to Shikoku

[@clementihammock7572]

Many thanks, your good work somehow comforted me and drifted my soul along.

[@HoganFantastic4]

Very helpful. I hope I can have this pilgrimage later this year.

[@SwissTanuki]

Thank you very much for this beautiful video. Well done

[@Londonchippie]

Thanks for such an amazing video! Beautiful footage, really nice editing + music, very informative and enjoyable commentary - most of all very peaceful and relaxing to watch! 🙏

[@Munjoy19]

Absolutely wonderful and helpful resource; thank you! I appreciated your thoughtful tone and obvious respect for the place and process. Beautiful footage, too!

[@TsheWang-zu6nt]

It is very inspiring and thank you very much for sharing such comprehensive guide and also created the HENRO HELPER for free! I truly appreciate it.

[@mattdecker6791]

What a marvelous video! We are going to do this in November. Thank you so much!!

[@sebastianmoreno1572]

Thank you so much for This well explained movie, u finally gave me the Reason to visit Japan

[@jacquelineadiao485]

So impressive! Planning for a Pilgrimage hike in Japan too! Thanks for the information. Watching from start to finish! The view is so breathtaking. I love it.

[@mikeandcheryl]

I have just come back from the 500 mile Camino de Santiago (Camino Frances) and am very interested in this for next year's Autumn challenge. Thank you sooo much for making such an informative video. All the best

[@quetzal1627]

This is great, thank you very much! I will also do it soon (four weeks from now), with a similar time for it, so I am glad to have found your video.

[@paulbuck8134]

Thank you so much for this wonderful documentary. I've watched it many times. I leave for Shikoku this week.

[@theshikokuhenro]

Have fun!

[@Jacky-san]

Merci pour ce magnifique reportage, qui donne beaucoup d'informations très utiles.

[@garrycopp770]

Great video. Great info. Finished my pilgrimage mid March 2023. Love what you have done.

[@theshikokuhenro]

Thanks!

[@clockwork4642]

Thank you for that video. Great guide and motivation

[@hinzoth]

Fantastic video. I completed my pilgrimage 10 years ago at age 63. I can remember so much through your video. It really took me back. I want to go again if health permits. Thank you.

[@lenicois909]

Thanks for the video mate.

[@jaymurdoch4065]

Mesmerizing! I’m so grateful to you for this. I’d welcome suggestions on researching the Sutras so I can prepare for my trek. Thank you!

[@theshikokuhenro]

I am glad it helped. I am linking a document with all the information that you need. The document was created by the same people who make the Shikoku Japan 88 route guide. It has Sutra information. henro88map.com/pdf/Henro-ENG.pdf

[@wizling]

Thank you for the videos. They are most helpful. You have kick-started my planning for next year's walk.

[@Walk_with_Efren]

Incredibly helpful video James. I downloaded your tracks and incorporated them into mine. for some reason days 10 and 12 show broken links.

[@theshikokuhenro]

Thanks for letting me know. I have set them to public and they should work now.

[@dcmackc01]

Stunning video and very helpful suggestions for walking the pilgrimage.

[@hannewr9526]

I have finished your whole Video and hope to Do the pilgrimage in two stages next year.That Is to give me Some more Time for more basic japanese. THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH

[@marekprazak]

finished in May, but whatching this is trigering PTSD style of receptors in my head, i would love to be there again.. :-(

[@theshikokuhenro]

I hear you.

[@ingridpiela4798]

You did it! You must be very happy and this experience will change your life forever. Thank you so much for the possibility to accompanie you on your way for a while. And I agree people who look this video till the end must be very interested in Shikoku Henro ;-)

[@goslar5]

Thank you for taking us on this adventure with you. It allowed me to relive the pilgrimage my girlfriends and I did in 2019. We walked it from the 1st of september to 13th of october. Loved how you ended the enlightenment part with at the lovers secret date spot. Wonderful view from there! On our walk we actually hade a little date there, eating snacks and preparing for unpenji. We are planning on doing it again in a few years when we can get enough time off work. This video made me want to do it tomorrow. Thank you!

[@kediac9757]

Fantastic video of your adventure, with a great mix of narration and music. Well done.

[@zak_7354]

That was an excellent video! You have convinced me to go there this autumn; thank you, already excited!

[@kaius3351]

【10:51】☺The title of this song is " Yuyake Koyake" that meaning "Sunset looks small burning". This song is called a nursery song, and I have memories of all children all over Japan singing this song when they were kids. By the way, have you experienced " Ossettai " on pilgrimage to 88 temples in Shikoku? I think if you explained the " Ossettai" you felt during the pilgrimage and the interaction with other pilgrims in this video , it would have been more moving. Anyway, congratulations on completing the Sikoku pilgrimage safely.. 🌷☺ 🌷 I'm sorry for my bad English.

[@theshikokuhenro]

Thanks for explainging the song. Now I understand why they were playing it in the evening. I talk about ossetai later in the video and explain that it is part of Shikoku culture.

[@alfredoortiz6756]

I am ready to go do this pilgrimage! I am going to observe the temple customs recit the Heart Sutra and the recit the literagy.

[@hiroko2401]

Very informative and narrative I really enjoyed to listen to your journey. Thank you.

[@ubuntaire9535]

thank you so much for this video!! from spain, i go to shikoku in 3 weeks and i see a lot of videos about shikok the lasts months, but your video helps me a lot, is the better i see at the moment, good structure of information, funny, beautifull, and the final words help me a lot!! again… thank you so much!!

[@henri8194]

Really inspiring video, thanks!

[@FannyGodMother]

Thank you for this amazing video! It’s beautiful and informative.

[@sherrieseki9815]

Mahalo nui loa! Truly appreciate your film and especially your commentary. Will be doing portions of pilgrimage in late October. So grateful for preview of what to expect. We are hoping to keep on dirt trails and quiet roads as much as possible. 🌺

[@theshikokuhenro]

I have a video coming about trails and quiet roads in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned.

[@JacquesWarren]

​@@theshikokuhenroWhere is the new video about your map?

[@theshikokuhenro]

@@JacquesWarren The video is back up. I had to make some changes to the installation procedures because some people were having problems.

[@corinnebroekman5395]

Fantastic done, appreciate the effort. It realy gives a good impression. Thank you so much. I will be there this autumn…

[@joannas.2139]

Thank you for having shared this beautiful film and all your advices! I made plenty of notes. It is such a generous gift! Your film encourages to embark on this marvellous (despite inevitable challenges) journey.

[@poubby]

This is nothing less than an amazing video, thanks a million for sharing it with us! It surely was a great inspiration and I am looking forward to start my pilgrimage in October this year :)

[@danf7716]

What a tour de force this video is! Amazing! I watched it beginning to end in one sitting, completely gripped the whole time. This really solidified my goal of making this pilgrimage when time permits. Thank you!

[@SueFloris-dn2nh]

Fab video, thank you! I’m interested to know how and what kind of accommodation you booked.

[@theshikokuhenro]

I prefer a western style bed so I usually booked regular hotels or business hotels. I tried to book online whenever I could because it was easier. I would often book one location for several nights and take a bus or train back and forth each day to walk the different sections of the pilgrimage. I usually booked a week in advance because I knew my entire itenierary in advance. I have been told that this year people have had to book accomodations at least 3 to 4 days in advance because it is so busy after the pandemic.

[@christineatherton3572]

Great video - thank you

[@punchface3000]

wow amazing vid

[@siberianhuskyhusky]

Thank you so much！

[@molanfogarty]

Thank you for this comprehensive guide to the Shikoko pilgrimage. The information provided is very helpful as we begin our preparations and the video provides an idea of what we might expect on the trail. Very Helpful and Inspiring!

[@mekaniskhaven]

this gave me alot to consider in my 176 temple walk im planning. contemplating doing this and shodoshima one after the other. thanks for the video my guy this was an epic watch

[@nucre8]

ありがとうございます!

[@nekokuro8796]

Thank you for sharing 🥰🥰🥰

[@JustinHudgins]

Glad I came across such a recent video! I've been wanting to do this for years but it's hard to find very recent info. I've been wanting to know in particular, what's the internet situation? I work remotely and could probably do the hike if I could do a couple hours of work/Zoom meetings in the evening, but haven't found anything in my Googling about the quality or coverage of cell service along the route.

[@theshikokuhenro]

Most of the route is close to civilization where there is cell phone service. Most of the accommodations have decent Wifi. There are still a small minority of minshukus that are run by old people who do not have Wifi. Wifi is not prevelant in coffe shops or restaurants like in many Western countries.

[@JustinHudgins]

@@theshikokuhenro Thanks for the response! Very helpful. 🙏🏻

[@paperboatsdissolving]

Really enjoyed your film. Well done and thank you!

[@chisho5044]

What a fantastic video! I have watched it a few times now and have also downloaded the maps to my Gaia GPS as I am starting to prepare for my pilgrimage in the fall of 2024. Thank you. Could you please share some more details about the locations where you stayed at the same hotel for more than 1 night and visited the temples nearby? I like that idea especially if there are vegetarian friendly restaurants also near by. Thanks.

[@DerekHurstMusic]

Incredible and very relaxing video, thank you! Can’t wait to do the pilgrimage myself 😊

[@walk_eerie]

Wow ! I am so thankful for this video ! Definitely going to do this Pilgrimage in the future, it's one of my life goals. Can I ask you 2 questions ? 1. Accommodation : How much time in advance do you have to call for booking ? Did you call only a day before ? I mean do you call on Day 2 to get your booking for Day 3 for example ? 2. Getting on the right trail (the one you planned) You showed us the signs could be sometimes confusing, so did you upload your planned trail in a GPS or just used the guidebook ? Thanks for your answers !

[@theshikokuhenro]

Some people book a month ahead and some people the day before. Most seem to book 2-4 days in advance. I bought the guide book which has all of the official alternate routes and studied it to figure out which routes I would like to take. Sometimes I didn't like the routes that the guide book suggested and I took my own routes. I then put all of my preferred routes into Alltrails so it would be easy for me to follow. You can see those routes in the video description.

[@Christopher-hb1wx]

Hi! You said that your itinerary would be in the video description--I can't find it. Thanks for the great video!

[@theshikokuhenro]

Hi, the Henro Helper app has the 49 day itinerary that I took. More specifically if you take the hardest routes on that 49 day itinerary you would be following in my footsteps. The Henro Helper app is free and available now for iPhone and Android. You can get more information by watching this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4OcpYRvpMiVZqs

[@Christopher-hb1wx]

@@theshikokuhenroThanks...is this app available on a computer or only on a phone?

[@theshikokuhenro]

It is available for phone and tablet.

[@rajukrishnan2863]

Excellent video - watched it all and want to watch again. Question - Did your shoes last all the way without needing replacement?

[@theshikokuhenro]

@@rajukrishnan2863 They were completely destroyed by the end but still had decent grip. I have heard that some people buy new shoes in Matsuyama.

[@IsInstantLife]

I have been wanting to take this pilgrimage myself. Would you be able to make a video outlining the route you did, preparations, considerations, etc. Not many english language resources available. Especially few experiential and personal ones. Tips and things would be nice. I don't know what you talk about in the video because I didn't want to "spoil" it too much...

[@theshikokuhenro]

The routes that I took and the equipment that I used are in the video description. I suggest you purchase the offical english route guide "Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide". It is available on amazon.jp or henro88map.com. It has information about all the different official routes as well as information about the questions you have asked. Good luck!

[@simeonm9780]

Amazing video. Thank you for sharing. What is the best time of the year for this journey?

[@theshikokuhenro]

Start mid March or early October. Summers are too hot and not fun.