Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail: Self-Launched
11 days · Shikoku, Japan
Exodus charges £4,270
No-markup version: ~£905 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Walk the most sacred and scenic sections of the legendary Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage — independently. This self-launched version follows the same route through Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehime that Exodus charges nearly £4,300 for, but replaces managed logistics with local trains, buses and bookable taxis, and swaps curated accommodation packages for self-booked ryokan, minshuku guesthouses and shukubo temple lodgings. You'll still sleep in traditional Japanese inns, eat authentic shojin-ryori Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, and climb Kobo Daishi's iconic meditation ladder — at a fraction of the cost. Begin with two nights in Kyoto (with a day trip to Nara), traverse four prefectures across Shikoku on foot, and finish with a night in vibrant Osaka. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Kyoto
Kyoto
Fly into Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX). Take the Haruka Limited Express train directly to Kyoto Station (~75 mins, ~£15). Check into your hostel or budget guesthouse near the city centre. Rest and orientate yourself — pick up a transit IC card (Icoca) at the station for easy travel throughout your trip. No meals included today, so explore Kyoto's Nishiki Market or nearby izakayas for a self-funded dinner.
🚌Haruka Express train KIX → Kyoto Station (~£15). Local bus or walk to accommodation.
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Kyoto (e.g. Piece Hostel Kyoto or K's House Kyoto) — dorm from ~£18/night, private room from ~£35/night
- →Arrive and settle in Kyoto
- →Pick up an Icoca IC card at Kyoto Station for seamless travel
- →Explore Nishiki Market for street food dinner
- →Rest and prepare for 10 days of pilgrimage walking
Explore Kyoto
Kyoto (day trip to Nara)
Spend a full day exploring Kyoto's temples, gardens and teahouses at your own pace. Start with Fushimi Inari Taisha (free, open 24hrs) in the morning, then head to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion, ~£4 entry). In the afternoon, take the JR Nara Line to Nara (~45 mins, ~£5 return) to visit Todai-ji Temple and feed the famous free-roaming sika deer in Ndeer Park. Return to Kyoto for dinner — try a set meal at a local teishoku restaurant for ~£8-10.
🚌Kyoto city bus or walk between temples (~£3). JR Nara Line return Kyoto↔Nara (~£5).
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Kyoto (same as Day 1)
- →Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha — free entry, iconic torii gate trail
- →Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) — entry ~£4
- →Day trip to Nara: Todai-ji Temple (~£5 entry) and Nara Deer Park (free)
- →Explore traditional teahouses and Gion district in the evening
Tokushima: Temples 1–3 (Pilgrimage Begins)
Tokushima Prefecture
Your pilgrimage begins today. Take the JR Highway Bus or Willer Express long-distance bus from Kyoto to Tokushima (~3 hrs, bookable online for ~£15-20). On arrival, head to Temple 1 Ryozen-ji — the official start of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. Pick up your pilgrim staff (kongō-zue, ~£10) and stamp book (nōkyōchō, ~£3) at the temple shop. Walk the gentle 6km route through quiet Tokushima neighbourhoods visiting Temple 2 Gokuraku-ji and Temple 3 Konsen-ji. Tonight, book a shukubo (temple lodging) direct — many accept bookings via phone or email, with dinner and breakfast included for ~£55-65/night.
🚌JR Highway Bus Kyoto → Tokushima (~£18). Local walking and buses within Tokushima (~£3).
🛏Shukubo temple lodging or ryokan in Tokushima — book direct, e.g. Ryozenji Shukubo (~£55-65/night including dinner & breakfast)
- →Bus from Kyoto to Tokushima (~3 hrs)
- →Visit Temple 1 Ryozen-ji — collect pilgrim staff (~£10) and stamp book (~£3)
- →Walk 6km to Temple 2 Gokuraku-ji and Temple 3 Konsen-ji
- →Check into shukubo temple lodging and enjoy traditional dinner (shojin-ryori)
Tokushima: Temples 11–12 (Mountain Challenge)
Tokushima Prefecture (Kamiyama)
Today's 24km hike is the most strenuous of the trip. Book a local taxi in advance via your accommodation or a local taxi firm (Tokushima Taxi or similar) to reach Temple 11 Fujii-dera (~£20-25 shared or solo taxi). Explore Fujii-dera's hillside complex, then arrange for the taxi to drop you at Ryusuian part-way up the mountain. Walk the steep trail to Temple 12 Shosan-ji, then descend east toward Yorii. From Yorii, take a local bus to the small onsen village of Kamiyama (~£3-5). Local minshuku guesthouses in Kamiyama can be booked via Jalan.net or direct call — expect ~£45-60/night with dinner.
🚌Pre-booked local taxi to Temple 11 (~£20-25). Walk 24km. Local bus Yorii → Kamiyama (~£4).
🛏Minshuku guesthouse or ryokan in Kamiyama — book via Jalan.net or direct, ~£45-60/night with dinner
- →Taxi to Temple 11 Fujii-dera — explore hillside temple complex
- →Strenuous 24km mountain hike to Temple 12 Shosan-ji
- →Enjoy panoramic mountain scenery on the ascent and descent
- →Relax at Kamiyama onsen after the day's walking
Tokushima: Temples 20–21 (Cable Car Descent)
Tokushima Prefecture (Anan area)
Book a local taxi (~£20-25) to reach Temple 20 Kakurin-ji — arrange through your minshuku the evening before. From Kakurin-ji, descend to the hamlet of Anan, cross the Nakagawa River and climb to Temple 21 Tairyu-ji. The day's highlight is the cable car ride back down (~£5-8 one way) with spectacular views over cedar forest and the valley below. Book in advance at the cable car station or online if possible. Take a local bus back toward Tokushima city (~£5-8) for your overnight stay.
🚌Pre-booked local taxi to Temple 20 (~£22). Walk 8km. Cable car descent (~£7). Local bus to Tokushima (~£6).
🛏Minshuku or budget ryokan in Tokushima city — book via Booking.com or Jalan.net, ~£35-50/night
- →Taxi to Temple 20 Kakurin-ji
- →Walk 8km across the Nakagawa River valley to Temple 21 Tairyu-ji
- →Ride the scenic cable car down through cedar forest (~£7)
- →Return to Tokushima city by bus
Kagawa: Temples 82–80 (Northern Pilgrimage Circuit)
Kagawa Prefecture (Kotohira)
Travel from Tokushima to Kagawa by train and bus (JR Tokushima Line, ~£12-15). Book a local taxi in advance to reach your starting point in northern Kagawa (~£18-22). Walk the rewarding 11.5km route through lovely rural scenery visiting Temple 82 Negoro-ji, Temple 81 Shiromine-ji and Temple 80 Kokubun-ji. After the walk, take a local train to the charming hot spring town of Kotohira (~£4-6). Stay the night in a traditional ryokan — Kotohira has several excellent options bookable on Jalan.net or Booking.com. Dinner at the ryokan or explore local restaurants around Kotohira-gu Shrine.
🚌JR Tokushima Line → Kotohira area (~£14). Pre-booked local taxi to trail start (~£20). Train to Kotohira (~£5).
🛏Ryokan in Kotohira Spa — book via Jalan.net or Booking.com, ~£60-80/night (often includes dinner)
- →Train and taxi transfer from Tokushima to Kagawa
- →Walk 11.5km visiting Temples 82, 81 and 80
- →Soak in Kotohira's famous hot springs (onsen) at your ryokan
- →Optional evening visit to Kotohira-gu Shrine steps
Ehime: Temples 57–58 (Forest Climb to Senyū-ji)
Ehime Prefecture (Imabari)
Travel from Kotohira by train and bus to Betsumyo in northern Ehime (~2 hrs, ~£12-16 combined). Walk the 4.5km route from urban townscape into rural farming communities before entering forest on the steady climb to Temple 58 Senyū-ji. Visit Temple 57 Eifuku-ji en route, and consider the optional detour to Temple 56 Taisan-ji. Overnight at Senyū-ji's shukubo pilgrims' lodgings (book direct via the temple office — some require advance booking in Japanese, a helpful guesthouse or translator app can assist) or alternatively at a budget hotel in Imabari city via Booking.com.
🚌JR/Iyotetsu rail and local bus from Kotohira → Betsumyo (~£14). Walk 4.5km.
🛏Shukubo at Senyū-ji temple (book direct, ~£50-65 with dinner & breakfast) or budget hotel in Imabari via Booking.com (~£35-50)
- →Train and bus from Kotohira to Ehime
- →Walk 4.5km through farmland and forest to Temple 58 Senyū-ji
- →Visit Temple 57 Eifuku-ji and optional Temple 56 Taisan-ji
- →Stay overnight at Senyū-ji shukubo for full pilgrimage immersion
Ehime: Temples 59 Onwards (Descent to Dogo Onsen)
Ehime Prefecture (Matsuyama / Dogo Onsen)
Walk gently down the mountain from Senyū-ji, exploring small village settlements along the way. Return to Imabari town, then optionally continue on the paved town hike to Temple 59 Iyo Kokubun-ji (~4.5km total walking). Take the JR Yosan Line train from Iyo-Tomita to Matsuyama (~30 mins, ~£5), then board the Iyotetsu tram to Dogo Onsen (~£1.50). Dogo Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts and the inspiration for Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away. Check into a ryokan and bathe at the historic Dogo Onsen Honkan (~£5-8 entry).
🚌Walk 4.5km. JR Yosan Line Iyo-Tomita → Matsuyama (~£5). Iyotetsu tram to Dogo Onsen (~£1.50).
🛏Ryokan in Dogo Onsen — book via Jalan.net or Booking.com, ~£60-90/night (many include dinner)
- →Descend mountain trail from Senyū-ji, exploring village settlements
- →Optional walk to Temple 59 Iyo Kokubun-ji
- →Train to Matsuyama, tram to Dogo Onsen
- →Bathe at Dogo Onsen Honkan — one of Japan's oldest bathhouses (~£6 entry)
Ehime: Temples 45–44 (Kobo Daishi's Meditation Ladder)
Ehime Prefecture (Dogo Onsen / Matsuyama)
Today's highlight: the sacred Temple 45 Iwaya-ji, home to Kobo Daishi's meditation cave and its iconic iron chain ladder carved into the cliff face. Book a local taxi from your ryokan to reach Iwaya-ji (~45 mins, ~£25-35 each way — consider sharing with other pilgrims at the ryokan). Climb the ladder to the meditation spot for spectacular valley views. Walk the forest trail to Temple 44 Daiho-ji. Return by local bus toward Matsuyama (~£5), then tram back to Dogo Onsen (~£1.50). Second night at your Dogo Onsen ryokan.
🚌Pre-booked local taxi to Temple 45 (~£28). Walk 11km. Local bus back to Matsuyama (~£5). Iyotetsu tram to Dogo Onsen (~£1.50).
🛏Ryokan in Dogo Onsen (same as Day 8)
- →Taxi to Temple 45 Iwaya-ji — climb the famous iron chain meditation ladder
- →Enjoy panoramic views from Kobo Daishi's mountain meditation spot
- →Walk 11km forest trail to Temple 44 Daiho-ji
- →Return to Dogo Onsen for a well-earned soak
Ehime: Temples 60–62 (Final Pilgrimage Hike)
Ehime Prefecture → Osaka
Your final day of pilgrimage walking. Take the Iyotetsu tram from Dogo Onsen and then a local bus to Ooto (~£4-6 combined). Book a local taxi to your starting point (~£15-20). Walk 13km through rural eastern Ehime, visiting Temple 60 Yokomine-ji, Temple 61 Kōon-ji and Temple 62 Hoju-ji in beautiful natural settings. After the walk, take a local train or bus connection to Matsuyama, then the JR Limited Express Shiokaze to Okayama and the Shinkansen (or overnight bus) to Osaka (~£35-50 total). Arrive in Osaka mid-evening. Book a budget hotel or hostel in Namba or Shinsaibashi.
🚌Iyotetsu tram and local bus to Ooto (~£5). Pre-booked taxi to trail start (~£18). Walk 13km. Train connections to Matsuyama → Okayama → Osaka (~£40-50).
🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Osaka Namba — book via Booking.com or Hostelworld, ~£25-45/night
- →Final 13km pilgrimage walk visiting Temples 60, 61 and 62
- →Reflect on your pilgrimage journey in the peaceful rural temples
- →Train journey from Ehime to Osaka — scenic Shiokaze Limited Express
- →Explore Dotonbori neon lights and street food on arrival in Osaka
Depart Osaka
Osaka
Enjoy a final Japanese breakfast at your hotel or a local café. If time allows before your flight, visit Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle, ~£6 entry) or grab takoyaki (octopus balls) from a street stall in Dotonbori. Take the Nankai Limited Express from Namba Station to Osaka Kansai International Airport (~40 mins, ~£8). Allow at least 2.5 hours before your flight for check-in and security.
🚌Nankai Limited Express Namba → KIX Airport (~£8, ~40 mins).
🛏Check out of Osaka hotel
- →Final Japanese breakfast at hotel or local café
- →Optional: Visit Osaka Castle (~£6 entry) or Dotonbori street food
- →Nankai Limited Express train to Kansai Airport (~40 mins, ~£8)
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£905 | £4,270 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £3,365 per person (79%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£905
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail: Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £905 per person for 11 days in Shikoku, Japan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £4,270 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £905 — a saving of roughly £3,365 (79%) per person.
How long is the Shikoku, Japan trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Shikoku, Japan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, culture, backpacker trip through Shikoku, Japan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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