JPEN
Fly from Tokyo to Tokushima to experience the temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage, temple lodging, the mountain village of Iya, the sea of the Seto Inland Sea, bonsai, and cycling. The journey concludes by connecting to Himeji and Kyoto — 12 days to feel Japan's culture and nature with your whole body.
The Shikoku pilgrimage is a long path of prayer through 88 sacred sites. This course doesn’t walk all of it, but connects symbolic places such as Ryozen-ji, Zentsu-ji, Hakusan-ji, and Negoro-ji Temples.
In Iya, mountain village life; in the Seto Inland Sea, views over a sea dotted with islands; in Takamatsu, bonsai and cycling along the pilgrimage road. Experience Shikoku’s spirituality and daily life as a single journey.
Indicative Price (per person): USD 9,090〜
Begin the journey at Ryozen-ji Temple, the first sacred site, then experience shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) and Buddhist culture while staying at the temple lodging of Anraku-ji Temple.
The Oboke Gorge, the Ochiai settlement, soba-making, and tea-roasting. A time to draw closer to life in the mountains.
Chichibugahama Beach, Nio, and Mt. Shiude. Slow the pace of your journey while gazing at a sea dotted with islands.
Experience Takamatsu's bonsai culture and the pilgrimage road not just by watching, but by using your hands and riding a bicycle.
The itinerary below is a model plan. The content and order can be adjusted to match your interests, fitness level, travel companions, and preferred pace.
After arriving at Haneda or Narita Airport, a private transfer takes you to your hotel.
A 6-hour private sightseeing tour with an English-speaking guide. The best spots are chosen to match the season.
Enjoy Tokyo at your own pace, choosing from Akihabara, Odaiba, Tsukiji, teamLab, and more, according to your interests.
Fly domestically to Tokushima. Visit Ryozen-ji Temple, the first sacred site, enjoy a local sake tasting, and experience shojin ryori and Buddhist culture while staying at the temple lodging of Anraku-ji Temple.
A boat ride down the Oboke Gorge, soba-making with folk songs, and a walk through the Ochiai settlement — a culture of living alongside the mountains.
Experience tea-roasting and a Shinto ritual, then pass through the Iya Valley to Kotohira. Walk up to Kompira-san Shrine at your own pace, then head to Nio.
Enjoy Zentsu-ji Temple (the 75th sacred site), Chichibugahama Beach, the townscape of Nio, and the Seto Inland Sea from Mt. Shiude.
A bonsai-pruning experience and matcha at a bonsai garden, Ritsurin Garden, and a cycling ride from Hakusan-ji Temple (the 81st sacred site) to Negoro-ji Temple (the 82nd).
Travel by ferry and shinkansen to Himeji. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Himeji Castle, then continue on to Kyoto.
A full day of sightseeing with an English-speaking guide, from Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Arashiyama, and Gion.
Freely enjoy Nishiki Market, tea ceremony, kimono, crafts, and more, then travel to the Kansai Airport area in the afternoon.
Walk from your hotel to Kansai International Airport, concluding a journey through Shikoku's mountains and sea, along the path of prayer.
Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Nihonbashi or an equivalent-class property
Anrakuji Temple Shukubo
Hotel Iya Onsen or Hotel Kazurabashi
Urashima Village or Nipponia Hotel Nio
Jr Hotel Clement Takamatsu
Hotel Granvia Kyoto or an equivalent-class property
Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport or an equivalent-class property
12 days, 11 nights, available year-round, with a high activity level. The price listed on the source page is USD 9,090 per person and up (based on 2 people sharing a room; an additional charge may apply for single occupancy). As this includes walking, stairs, and cycling, it can be adjusted to your fitness level.
The distance you walk, the amount of cycling, temple lodging experiences, and the number of temple visits can all be adjusted to your fitness level and interests.