Name: Japan Walking & Hiking Tour: Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage with Airfare
Start: 2024-11-19T21:00:00-08:00
End: 2024-12-01T20:00:00-08:00

The fourth-largest of Japan's islands, Shikoku is home to the 88 Temple Pilgrimage Trail. Fascinating aspects of this deeply spiritual route include how little is known of its origins, and its mysterious connection with Kobo Daishi, founder of Shingon Buddhism. Pilgrims have walked the trails for 1200 years and even today we will see pilgrims in their distinctive attire and white cloaks throughout the island. The full pilgrimage route encircles Shikoku and connects 88 Buddhist temples, covering more than a thousand kilometers. Pilgrims, known in Japanese as Ohenro, traditionally did the journey from temple to temple on foot over many weeks. However, we do not have a couple free months to make the trek, so we will visit fewer temples at this time, which is called kugiri-uchi.

Our tour selects the best of the walking trails through lovely landscapes. We visit all four of Shikoku's prefectures - Tokushima in the east, Kagawa in the north, Ehime in the west, and Kochi in the south. Each region has its own distinctive character, foods and scenery. We begin our journey with a stay on Mount Koya, the hilltop temple complex on Honshu established by Kobo Daishi, and an important location for Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage devotees. Public transport in the rural areas of Shikoku is limited and we will travel mainly by private chartered vehicle, but we will still enjoy walking along the ancient route from temple to temple through countryside and forest. We will stay in traditional country inns enjoying regional cuisine prepared from local ingredients from the island, soak in natural hot springs, and enjoy the exceptional hospitality of our hosts.

**Pilgrimage Routes:** A whole loop through all 4 prefectures – Tokushima in the east, Kagawa in the north, Ehime in the west, and Kochi in the south.

**Type and trip level:** This tour features 9 days of walking and hiking
from 2.5 to 5 hours per day, on quiet town and country roads and unpaved forest trails. This tour is suitable for those who are fit and can walk over rough ground for up to 5 hours. While on the trails you carry a small to medium daypack.

**Travel Date:** 11/19/24 – 12/01/24

**Price:** $6,885

**Trip Highlights:**

* Walk on the loveliest parts of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage trail
* Stay in monastery lodgings in the temple town of Mount Koya
* Eat wonderful local food prepared by the monastery's monks or local hosts
* Walk across a bridge of vines in the remote Iya Valley
* Bathe in natural thermal waters at historic Dogo Onsen
* Visit the beautiful hill-top castle in Matsuyama
* Shikoku is known for a variety of delicious foods. Slurp steaming bowls of udon noodles, savor dishes made with sudachi (a type of citrus fruit), and enjoy fresh seafood to fuel your journey.

**Itinerary at a Glance:**
Day 1 & 3 (Tue, 11/19 – Thu, 11/21): LAX – KIX, Osaka
Day 3 (Thu, 11.21): Arrival in KIX, take the ferry from Wakayama to Tokushima city (Tokushima prefecture) (D)
Day 4 (Fri, 11.22): Temple 1 - 6 (B.L.D)
Day 5 (Sat, 11.23): Temple 11 - 12 (B.L.D)
Day 6 (Sun, 11.24): Temple 24 - 26 ( Kochi prefecture) (B.L.D)
Day 7 (Mon, 11.25): Temple 31 (B.L.D)
Day 8 (Tue, 11.26): Temple 32 - 33 (Ehime prefecture) (B.L.D)
Day 9 (Wed, 11.27): Temple 49 - 51 (Kagawa prefecture) (B.L.D)
Day 10 (Thu, 11.28): Temple 66 - 69 (B.L.D)
Day 11 (Fri, 11.29): Temple 71 - 75 (B.L.D)
Day 12 (Sat, 11.30): Temple 84-86 – Tokushima (B.L.D)
Day 13 (Sun, 12.01): Tokushima – Koyasan – KIX – LAX (B)

**Price Includes**:

* International flights from LAX – KIX – LAX
* Full-time services of an English-speaking mountain guide
* Lodging Includes traditional ryokan inns, minshuku (similar B&B), hotels, and shukubo temple lodging (which can allow visitors to observe and participate in temple rituals). Some accommodations also have onsen so we can enjoy a relaxing soak.
* Daily three meals.
* Private pick up and drop off from and to airport
* All transportation between tour locations
* Entrance to museums, temples and other sights on the group's itinerary
* Forwarding of one item of luggage to next locations

**Price Excludes:**

* Travel insurance
* Tipping: $10 person/day for driver(s) and guide(s). To be collected prior to the trip
* Personal expenses/meals/sightseeing that are not listed in itinerary

**Making Reservations:**

* Call Catherine at Tarzana Tour and Travel at 626-380-7948
* Email a copy of your passport to catherine@tarzanatour.com
* By putting your deposit, you have read and agreed to the following:
* Reservation Deadline & Cancellation Policy ($500 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable)

**IMPORTANT NOTE:**

* In the current global climate, we strongly recommend all guests purchase flight and travel insurance to cover all contingencies and nonrefundable deposits and expenses.
* Airfares are constantly fluctuating now more than ever, making prices subject to change without prior notice.
* A reservation without a deposit does not secure your spot on the trip.

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Japan Walking & Hiking Tour: Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage with Airfare

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