Shikoku 88

Many pilgrims wear traditional attire, including a white vest, sedge hat, and walking staff, and carry a stamp book (nokyocho) to collect stamps at each temple. While these items are optional and not included in your package, wearing them honours pilgrim tradition. It also helps locals identify you as a pilgrim, which often invites warm welcomes, helpful guidance, and meaningful connections along your journey.

You can purchase these items at the pilgrim shop in front of Temple 1 on Day 2 (opens at 8:30 AM).

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!

Yes, there's a single supplement for solo hikers of $500 AUD for our 7-Day Shikoku Pilgrimage package. This applies to Pilgrims undertaking the hike solo and also to friends travelling together who request individual rooms.