Immerse yourself in centuries-old spiritual traditions, historic mountain temples, and authentic rural Japanese hospitality.
Traditional Lodging
Stay in authentic, family-run guesthouses and historic temples, experiencing genuine Japanese hospitality and traditional tatami rooms.
Delicious Local Food
Enjoy included traditional local seasonal meals meticulously prepared by your hosts, plus lovely local food available along the way.
Hot Spring Onsen
Unwind in soothing, therapeutic hot springs at select traditional lodges, perfectly rejuvenating tired muscles after hiking.
Scenic Wonders
Walk through misty ancient forests, serene bamboo groves, rural valleys, and stunning coastal river lookouts.
Rural Charm
Wander through tranquil, timeless farming villages, experiencing a slower, authentic side of traditional rural Japan.
Overview
Uncover the ancient soul of Japan with our new Shikoku 88 self-guided 8-day walking package, a rich cultural experience designed for those seeking a meaningful, active escape. Over six unforgettable trekking days, you will walk a total of 80km along the sacred pilgrimage trail, averaging a highly manageable 13.4km per day. Rated as a moderate walk, this expertly curated itinerary takes in a number of the trail’s most spectacular, historic temples while wandering through pristine forests, rural villages, and quiet coastal paths. To ensure your journey is completely seamless, we take care of all the logistics—including 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners, and daily bag transfers—allowing you to walk freely with just a light daypack.
Every evening, you will step off the trail and into traditional accommodation, staying in authentic family-run minshuku (guesthouses), historic ryokan, or atmospheric temple lodgings (shukubo). After a rewarding day on the trail, you will unwind with traditional hospitality, often enjoying access to soothing hot springs (onsen) at select properties along the route. On the 5 nights where dinner is included, you will feast on local ingredients that reflect the distinct culinary heritage of the region, while the remaining evenings give you the freedom to explore local dining. This Shikoku 88 package offers the perfect balance of spiritual immersion, physical achievement, and deeply authentic Japanese culture.
Arrive in Tokushima City and check into your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, exploring the local vibrant city center, or preparing your gear for the upcoming pilgrimage. Enjoy trying some famous local Tokushima ramen for dinner, settle into your comfortable room for the evening, and rest up before your walking journey to the first official temple begins tomorrow morning.
Your official Shikoku 88 Guidebook will be waiting for you at your first hotel.
After breakfast, travel from Tokushima City to Temple 1 (Ryozenji), the official start of the sacred Shikoku 88 pilgrimage. The most direct and hassle-free way to start your journey is to take a local taxi straight from your hotel door to the first temple trailhead. From Temple 1, begin your walking trek through flat roads and peaceful residential areas, making your way toward Temple 6 (Anrakuji). Ensure you arrive early in the afternoon to check in and fully experience the unique and authentic atmosphere of your traditional temple lodging.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3: Temple 6 (Anrakuji) — Temple 10 (Kirihataji)
Distance: 14 km | Duration: 4–5 hrs | Elevation: Moderate climb at the end
Depart from Temple 6 and enjoy a peaceful trek across flat countryside terrain. Your destination, Temple 10 (Kirihataji), is located on a prominent hillside and requires a steady climb up 333 historic stone steps to reach the main hall. After visiting the temple, head down to settle into a charming local minshuku or ryokan near the Awa-Kawakishima area for a relaxing evening.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4: Temple 10 (Kirihataji) — Temple 11 (Fujiidera)
Enjoy a short walking day designed for strategic rest before your upcoming mountain climbs. Cross the magnificent Yoshino River, soaking in the open river valley views as you make your way toward Temple 11 (Fujiidera). Arrive early at your destination to explore the temple grounds and settle into a cozy local minshuku or ryokan near Temple 11 for a relaxing afternoon and evening.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5: Temple 11 (Fujiidera) — Nabeiwa Hamlet via Temple 12 (Shosanji)
Tackle the most challenging and rewarding segment of your pilgrimage as you navigate a steep mountain trail through an ancient forest. Today you will conquer the toughest peak on the route via the infamous 'Henro-korogashi' section, testing your endurance with a demanding 1,070-metre elevation gain to reach Temple 12 (Shosanji). Be sure to hike ultra-light today, relying on your daypack while your main luggage is transferred ahead. After descending the mountain, settle into a welcoming local minshuku in the quiet hamlet of Nabeiwa to rest your muscles.
Enjoy a shorter walking day featuring a gentle mountain descent and downhill slopes as you head into the valley. Arrive at your destination by noon, giving you the entire afternoon to completely soak in the therapeutic, natural hot springs and recover your muscles after yesterday's rigorous climb. Settle into a traditional onsen ryokan in the Kamiyama Onsen area for a deeply relaxing evening.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7: Kamiyama Onsen — Temple 13 (Dainichiji) to Tokushima Station
Enjoy a scenic, peaceful flat walk along the river as you head toward Temple 13 (Dainichiji). Successfully visiting this final milestone sets up a perfect, effortless launch for your next pilgrimage trip. After exploring the temple grounds, you can take a convenient local bus or easily book a local taxi through one of Japan's taxi booking apps to transfer directly to Tokushima Station (if you choose to walk this final section instead, it is an additional 10 km and takes about 2.5 hours). Check into your business hotel in the Tokushima City centre and enjoy a free evening to dine out and celebrate your journey.
Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel, reflecting on your incredible physical and spiritual journey along the pilgrimage trail. Depart from Tokushima Station to continue your travels through Japan or begin your journey back home.
Meals included: Breakfast
What's Included
Included
7 Nights Accommodation
7 Japanese Breakfasts
5 Traditional Dinners
Baggage Transfer Daily
Official Shikoku 88 Guide Book
Planning and Reservations
Not Included
Travel Insurance
International & Domestic Flights
Train, Bus and Taxi Bookings
Drinks, Other Meals and Snacks
Personal Expenses
Shikoku 88 Video
Shikoku 88 Trail Accommodation
Enjoy a mix of authentic, family-run minshuku, historic ryokan, and unique temple lodging along the Shikoku 88 trail, selected for its trailside location, comfort, and local character. After each day’s walk, unwind in welcoming rooms featuring warm Japanese hospitality, traditional tatami mats, and often access to soothing local onsen. Each stay offers easy access to sacred temple grounds and timeless farming villages, giving you a relaxed, well-supported base. Accommodation is based on twin/double occupancy; a single supplement applies. Displayed images are samples and actual properties will vary with your specific accommodation and room.
Meals and Dining on the Shikoku 88 Trail
Enjoy a delicious mix of included and independent dining experiences along the Shikoku 88 trail. Your package includes breakfasts and dinners showcasing authentic local flavours through traditional multi-course meals at your family-run guesthouses and a unique dinner during your temple stay. Along the way, you’ll also have opportunities to explore local village cafés and restaurants at your own pace, giving you the flexibility to discover regional specialties and seasonal produce that make the island’s cuisine so distinctive. Actual meals will vary with season and accommodation; these are a sample.
Shikoku 88 Location
Shikoku 88 Walking Guide
Grading: Moderate
This moderate hike requires good walking fitness and a spirit of adventure. You will navigate rural roads, forest tracks, and stone temple stairs, averaging a 350m daily gain. Anticipate undulating terrain, steady descents, and lengthy stair sections—particularly on Day 5, when you conquer the toughest peak via the infamous 'Henro-korogashi' (1,070m elevation gain). High-quality, grippy hiking boots are essential, and you should hike ultra-light on this demanding day. Hiking poles are highly recommended for stability on steep descents and steady climbs.
Shikoku 88 Client Experience
Booking the Shikoku 88 package through Hiking Trails Pty Ltd gives travellers an effortless and deeply immersive experience. With maps, daily notes, and accommodations arranged in advance, they can focus entirely on walking quiet village roads, pristine river paths, and sacred temple trails. Each day ends in a welcoming minshuku, ryokan, or temple lodging, where they can unwind and often enjoy a soothing local onsen. The blend of profound spiritual heritage, authentic hospitality, and seamless logistical support creates a self-guided adventure that is both richly personal and smoothly managed.
No, this 8-day package is a curated section of the trail rather than the full pilgrimage. The complete Shikoku 88 circuit spans over 1,200 kilometres and typically takes between 45 to 60 days of continuous walking to complete. Our 8-day itinerary is strategically designed as an introductory taste, covering the official starting point at Temple 1 (Ryozenji) through to Temple 13 (Dainichiji), allowing you to experience the most historic temples, diverse terrain, and the famous 'Henro-korogashi' peak without the multi-month time commitment.
Since your first night is hosted in Tokushima City, you will want to head there directly upon arrival. Depending on your entry point into Japan, there are several straightforward transport options to get you to Tokushima City, as well as clear return paths at the end of your journey;
Arriving From Kansai International Airport (KIX) The easiest option is to fly into Osaka (Kansai International Airport) and catch a direct highway bus straight to Naruto, which takes approximately 2 hours. From there, you can take a short 20-minute local train down into Tokushima City to check into your first night's accommodation.
Arriving From Central Osaka For travel between Osaka and Tokushima, the most convenient option is the direct highway bus departing from Osaka Station, which requires no transfers. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes each way, dropping you directly into Tokushima City. The round-trip fare is around JPY 10,000 per person.
Arriving From Tokyo If you are travelling from Tokyo, take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Okayama Station. From Okayama, transfer to a local express train that travels directly down into Tokushima City.
Returning At The End Of the Trip Leaving Tokushima at the end of your adventure is just as simple. You can utilize the exact same direct highway bus network from Tokushima Station back to Osaka Station (2 hours and 30 minutes, approx. JPY 5,000 one-way) or catch the return express trains back up to Okayama to reconnect with the Shinkansen lines.
There are several options for lunch along the trail, but availability changes depending on the specific day of your trek:
Days 2, 4, and 7 You can generally purchase lunch along the way at local convenience stores (conbini), village bakeries, or vending machines, so advance preparation is usually not necessary.
Days 3 and 6 Food stops can be unpredictable depending on the situation, so it is a good idea to have a backup lunch or snacks prepared in your daypack just in case.
Day 5 (The Mountain Climb) You must purchase lunch and extra supplies in the morning before starting your walk. There are no reliable opportunities to buy food along this demanding remote mountain route.
It is a deeply authentic cultural experience. You will sleep in traditional rooms on comfortable futon bedding laid out on woven tatami mats. Bathrooms and washing facilities are usually shared. Traditional etiquette applies: you will leave your hiking boots at the entrance, wear provided slippers indoors, and enjoy early communal dinners showcasing hyper-local ingredients.
New Group Discounts! Save $100 Per Person.
Yes. If you're travelling in a group of six or more, booking as a group, and staying in twin share accommodation, we'll discount your trip by $100 AUD per person.
Booking must be managed and invoiced as one group, and have identical itinerary.
This offer applies to Kumano Kodo Trail, Shin-etsu Trail, Hokkaido East Trail, Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage, and Jeju Olle Trail self-guided walking packages only.
Not available with any other discount. Direct bookings only.
Some dietary restrictions cannot be fully supported on this hike due to the remote nature of the trail, limited food options in rural areas, and traditional Japanese meal offerings at accommodations. Meals often consist of a spread of delicious small dishes, many of which include local and seasonal ingredients. Because not all components can be adjusted or substituted, travellers with specific dietary needs—such as severe allergies or strict vegetarian or vegan diets—may need to self-manage their meals by bringing suitable snacks or choosing carefully from the dishes provided. For most guests, however, the traditional local meals are a highlight of the experience.
Yes, you absolutely can! Tokushima is well-serviced by several convenient taxi-hailing apps, making it incredibly easy to book a ride whenever you need one. The most popular options in the area are GO (Japan’s most widely used taxi app), Uber, and a regional favourite called MOTAKU. We highly recommend downloading at least one of these apps and setting up your payment details before you leave home. That way, you can easily arrange a local taxi right from your phone at the trailhead or your hotel without any language barriers!
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