Shikoku 88 Section Walking 2027: Doable Sections + Day Walks

The Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage is Japan's longest living pilgrimage - 1,200 km and 60 days on foot. 95% of walkers never finish the whole loop. The good news: section walking (bun-nou-uchi) is explicitly approved by the Henro Association - and these three segments offer the best mix of temples, scenery and infrastructure.

Quick facts: Shikoku 88 section walking 2027

History + what makes section walking work

The 88-temple pilgrimage traces to Kukai (Kobo Daishi), the Shingon Buddhism founder who was born on Shikoku (Zentsuji) in 774 CE. The modern pilgrimage was formalized by Kukai's followers in the 1600s, with 88 temples representing the 88 defilements that Buddhist practice overcomes. The walking tradition peaked in the 1800s and declined in the 1900s with bus-tour alternatives. Today 70% of henro drive, 20% bus, 10% walk. Section walking - completing 10-20 temples at a time over multiple visits - is explicitly approved and has become the preferred method for international pilgrims who cannot commit 60 days. Each temple sells a goshuin seal into your personal stamp book (nokyocho), creating a tangible pilgrimage record over multiple trips.

• ●Temples 1-10 (Tokushima) - 25 km flat, 2-3 days; perfect first-section introduction.
• ●Temples 21-23 (Muroto Cape) - 85 km coastal Kochi; Kobo Daishi's enlightenment cave.
• ●Temples 60-66 (Iyo) - Mountain-heavy Ehime; the hardest 'nansho' (difficult passes).
• ●Temples 70-88 (Kagawa) - Rolling landscape ending at Okuboji; strongest finisher section.
• ●Nokyocho stamp book - Buy at Temple 1 (¥2,000); carry across all return trips.

Getting to section-walking starts

• ●Section #1 start (Ryozenji, Temple 1) - Nankai Bus from Osaka Namba to Tokushima + taxi 20 min to Ryozenji. 3h total.
• ●Section #2 start (Kochi City) - JR Nanpu limited express from Okayama 2h25m; bus to Muroto 2h.
• ●Section #3 start (Takamatsu) - JR Marine Liner from Okayama 55 min; bus to Zentsuji + Temple 75 15 min.
• ●Luggage shuttle service - Takuhaibin or Yamato forward luggage per section; ¥2,000-3,000/leg.
• ●JR Shikoku Pass - 3-day ¥9,500; useful for section-to-section transfers.

What to eat on the pilgrimage

Each prefecture adds its specialty - Tokushima ramen in Section 1, katsuo tataki + yuzu in Section 2 (Kochi), and sanuki udon in Section 3 (Kagawa). Settai (gift food/drinks) from locals is traditional pilgrimage hospitality - accept with gratitude.

• ●Tokushima ramen (Section 1) - ¥700-900 - Sweet soy-pork broth, raw egg; near Temple 1 bus stops.
• ●Katsuo tataki (Section 2) - ¥1,500-2,500 - Straw-seared bonito; Kochi + Muroto specialty.
• ●Sanuki udon (Section 3) - ¥300-500 - Kagawa thick wheat noodles; 300+ shops en route.
• ●Settai gifts - Free - Locals offer tea, oranges, snacks; part of the pilgrimage.

Bookable experiences - Shikoku 88 sections

Section 1 (Temples 1-10) is the gold-standard first-section - 2-3 days, flat terrain, Tokushima base. Add Sections 2 or 3 on return trips. Full section-walking across 3-4 visits builds the complete pilgrimage over 2-5 years.

• ●Section 1 (Temples 1-10) 3-day walk - ¥35,000-55,000 ryokan + luggage via Shikoku Henro Service.
• ●Nokyocho stamp book + white vest - ¥2,000 + ¥3,500 at Temple 1 shop.
• ●Guided 7-day section walk - ¥85,000-130,000 with Oku Japan or Walk Japan.
• ●Zentsuji (Temple 75, Kobo Daishi's birthplace) - ¥500; Kagawa gem; must-visit on Section 3.

FAQ

• ●Can I section-walk the pilgrimage? Yes - bun-nou-uchi is explicitly approved and the preferred approach for international pilgrims.
• ●Do I need to complete all 88 temples? No - section walking is complete in itself; most Japanese pilgrims do 10-20 at a time.
• ●What's the best starting section? Section 1 (Temples 1-10, Tokushima) - flat, 2-3 days, best infrastructure.
• ●Is English support strong? Shikoku Tourism Federation + Henro Association have English; smaller rural temples limited.
• ●Can I use [JR Pass](https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/6415-japan-rail-pass-jr-pass-japan/)? Yes - JR Shikoku + Shinkansen fully covered; local buses extra.
• ●What should I pack? Walking shoes, lightweight pack, water bottle, nokyocho stamp book, ¥10,000 cash per day.
• ●Is the pilgrimage spiritual or just walking? Both - temples are active Buddhist sites; join morning chanting; carry a wagesa (prayer scarf).
• ●Is section walking kid-friendly? Section 1 flat 25 km across 3 days yes; longer sections tough for under-10.
• ●When is the best season? March-May (sakura) + October-November (foliage); avoid Jul-Aug heat + Sep typhoons.
• ●Can I combine with Awa Odori? Yes - Section 1 starts in Tokushima; perfect combo with Aug 12-15 festival.