Shikoku
TOKUSHIMA, KAGAWA, EHIME, AND KOCHI
Lush with greenery, towering trees and majestic mountains, Shikoku is a welcome escape from the densely populated regions of Japan. The first expressway to connect Shikoku to the main island of Honshu was built in 1988, and so could previously only be reached by boat. This still gives the region an isolated nature that has protected the original characteristics of Japanese culture and its ancient traditions. The mountainous nature of the region means there is heavy snowfall in winter and mild temperatures in summer. Shikoku’s rugged remoteness has attracted many travelers seeking a more unique part of Japan.
The island is also home to the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage, a spiritual journey following in the footsteps of Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai, who reached enlightenment in the isolated mountains and decided to devote his life to the Buddha. Following intense study of Buddhism in China and the creation of the temple complex on Mount Koya, he never forgot his home island of Shikoku and undertook a journey to visit all of its 88 temples. Even today pilgrims from all over the world follow in his footsteps and visit the temples dressed in traditional garb, receiving blessings in the form of food and drinks from the locals.
Highlights of Shikoku Island
The majority of the population settled along the coast because of the flat terrain and established communities around the main temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Walking temple-to-temple is not only a spiritual journey but also a cultural one that passes through cities rich with history and ancient stories. The Japanese term dougyou ninin (同行二人) literally means ‘traveling together’ and in the context of the pilgrimage of the 88 temples this means that Kōbō Daishi always travels with the pilgrim and accompanies him/her in difficulties. This text is inscribed on the walking poles of the ohenro pilgrims and the hearts of the people of Shikoku.Allow the soba noodles from Tokushima to fuel your journey to Takamatsu, where their famous Sanuki Udon will recharge your body, before taking a dip into the onsen hot spring at Kotohira Spa. Let the trails of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage not only fulfill you spiritually, but enrich your cultural knowledge and culinary palate.
Begin or end your cycling journey along the Shimanami Kaido. Flanked by brilliantly blue sea waters, riders can hop from island to island with the help of suspension bridges connecting each on their route towards Onomichi on the main island of Honshu.
Visit Ehime prefecture, where mikan oranges are in abundance and colour the landscape in vibrant shades of orange and green, and bathe in the waters of Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s most famous and oldest hot spring cities, home to the bathhouse that served as inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s Oscar-winning animated feature, Spirited Away.
Self guided tours
Discover the country at your own pace with our detailed maps and walking instructions. Everything else - from rail tickets to accommodations - are all organised by us, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying excellent local home-cooked meals and world class hospitality.
Self-Guided
Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage self-guided 5 days
Walks parts of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage trail in Tokushima and Kagawa, spending nights in Shukubo temple lodging with days of up to 8 hours of hiking
Trip level:
Duration:
5 Days
From USD 1,395
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Self-Guided
Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage self-guided 8 days
Walks parts of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage trail in Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehime, spending nights in Shukubo temple lodging with days of up to 8 hours of hiking
Trip level:
Duration:
8 Days
From USD 2,115
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Self-Guided
Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage self-guided 10 days
Walk on the loveliest parts of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage trail in Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehime, spending nights in Shukubo temple lodgings and the natural baths of Dogo Onsen and Iya Valley
Trip level:
Duration:
10 Days
From USD 2,650
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Guided tours
Sign up as individual travellers and leave as lifelong friends on an Oku Japan small-group guided tour. With a maximum of 13 people in any group, our tours ensure you get the full attention of your local guide who themselves share a passion for Japan. Whether it’s traditions, food, society or history, learn the ins and outs together with your fellow travellers and the assistance of our fully-licensed, bilingual guides.
Guided
Temples and Trails of Shikoku
A small-group guided walking tour to Sacred Mount Koya & The Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Trail
Trip level:
Duration:
13 Days
From USD 5,210
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Popular tours
Shoguns and Samurai
A small-group guided cultural tour exploring the highlights of central Japan
Nakasendo Trail
From Tokyo, visit the 'road through the mountains' once traveled by feudal lords, staying in traditional country inns, enjoying exquisite regional cuisine and soak in natural hot springs before ending in Kyoto
Nakasendo self-guided walking 5 days
Village to village walking on the loveliest parts of the old Nakasendo Trail, before visiting Matsumoto with it's historic castle and onward to picturesque Karuizawa
Nakasendo and Kamikochi walking 6 days
Enjoy the best forest walks and Juku post towns of the Nakasendo Trail, before heading into the Oku-Hida mountains to explore Kamikochi before arriving in iconic Takayama.
Kumano Kodo self-guided walking 6 days
Travel along the full Nakahechi route on the enchanting Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, experience Grand Shrines at Hongu and Nachi and bathe in the thermal waters at a hot-spring Ryokan
Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage self-guided 8 days
Walks parts of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage trail in Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehime, spending nights in Shukubo temple lodging with days of up to 8 hours of hiking
Hiroshima & Shimanami Kaido self-guided 6 Days
Enjoy the slow island life on the Setouchi Inland Sea with cycling, kayaking and walking
Nara Ancient Capitals self-guided walking 5 days
Explore the historic and culturally significant hiking trails of lesser-known Kansai
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Our Locations:
Kyoto Head office Nakasendo branch office in Tsumago Kumano Kodo branch office in Chikatsuyu
Available 9am-6pm Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Telephone
Continental US: 888-683-4929
Australia: 02-8310-5067
UK: 020-7099-6147
Singapore: 800-852-8449
Worldwide: +44 207-099-6147
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Who We Are
Oku Japan operates guided, self-guided and custom tours around Japan. Our main office is in Kyoto, and some of our sales staff are based in the UK. In spring 2015, Oku Japan opened a branch office in the village of Chikatsuyu, where we are proud to be part of the local community. In 2019, we also opened a Our Nakasendo Branch in the famed Juku town of Tsumago along the Nakasendo trail.
Our guides are professional, trained guides who are bilingual Japanese and English (as well as some who speak German or French) and have a deep knowledge of and passion for Japan's people, culture and history.
Close-knit communities deep in the countryside preserve the traditions of a not-too-distant past. Our trips combine the simple pleasures of enjoying the hospitality of these communities: their home-grown food, carefully-preserved buildings and immense pride in where they live and who they are. We have our very own team in Kyoto, along the Kumano Kodo Trail and Nakasendo Trail - not representatives, not partners, but our very own staff members ready to support you and to show you facets of Japan you never knew existed.
Our branch offices on the trails
We strive to make a positive contribution to the local communities and do our best to help wherever we can. That is why we established our branch offices along our two most popular destinations: the Kumano Kodo and the Nakasendo.
Kumano Kodo branch
Find out how we contribute to the community in Chikatsuyu, a small town along the Kumano Kodo.
Nakasendo branch
Learn more about our contribution to the people of the post-town of Tsumago.
Responsible tourism
Acting responsibly as a tour company is at the core of our business. We want our small-group guided tours and our self-guided trips to contribute positively to the destinations they visit in Japan.
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