Overview
In Japan, travel usually unfolds in two rhythms — the blur of neon-lit nights or a meditative drift through the countryside. If you've already experienced an adventure to the Golden Triangle and beyond, perhaps your next visit should relish a little more stillness.
One such route virtually guaranteed to evoke the reset you deserve is the Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage — a 1200-kilometre spiritual circuit that has been trekked for over a thousand years. Forging a path between 88 Buddhist temples around the island of Shikoku — the smallest and least populated of Japan's four main islands — it offers a chance to leave behind the noise of daily life.
Now, a walk that stretches for over a thousand kilometres might not be your idea of relaxation. And while this journey through the countryside is intended to take 30 to 60 days on foot, in reality, you can take as long as you like. In fact, the idea is that you choose how to break it down, with some travellers returning over several years to complete the entire stretch. What's more, it's perfectly acceptable to use a little modern transport to get around.
During their walk, many pilgrims, called Ohenro-san, adopt a similar attire to that of Kobo Daishi, the revered 1st-century monk who founded many of the temples along the route and is considered the trek's spiritual father. Marked with the characters dogyo ninin — meaning "two travelling together" in Japanese — you're invited to really get into the vibe by donning a white robe, a traditional sedge hat and a wooden staff for your journey.
Of course, there's no shortage of highlights along the way. Passing through the Iya Valley, you'll navigate its steep forested gorges. Meanwhile, you'll cross the famed Kazurabashi Bridge — woven from mountain vines — navigate the Shimanto River and have the chance to complete a spiritual climb up Mount Ishizuchi — considered one of Japan's most sacred peaks, featuring incredible views across the Seto Inland Sea.
"People's motives for making this pilgrimage vary, some come for spiritual reasons to pray for healing or in memory of those who have passed away, while others choose this journey for self-reflection or to find oneself," says Japan National Tourism Organization's Naoki Kitazawa. "Whatever the reason, this healing journey will leave you a changed person."
Keen to take on the Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage? Head to the website for more information.
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Images: Supplied.