Meet your guide at Tokushima Station, hotels in Tokushima City, or Takamatsu Station, and travel by private vehicle to begin your journey.

Route: Temples 1 to 6

• Temple 1 Ryōzenji – Many people start their pilgrimage from here.

• Temple 2 Gokurakuji –People come here to pray for having a child, safe childbirth, and for children who died young.

• Temple 3 Konsenji – A temple with a spring dug by Kōbō Daishi.

• Temple 4 Dainichiji – See the 33 statues of Kannon representing the 33 sites along the pilgrimage route in the Kansai region.

• Temple 5 Jizōji – A temple well-known for “500 Rakan” – approx. two hundred wooden statues of enlightened beings.

• Temple 6 Anrakuji – Visitor can stay overnight here and participate in the unique evening service.

Arrive around 17:00 at Anrakuji and check-in.

Dinner will be a traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (shōjin ryōri).

Around 19:00 – Evening Service (Attendance is optional but recommended) An explanation about the service will be provided when checking in or just before the service. Attending the service is a rare opportunity to experience Buddhist culture.

Stay overnight at Anrakuji

Please note: Most of the rooms at Anrakuji are traditional Japanese-style rooms (sleep on tatami mats with futons) with shared bath and toilet facilities.

Around 9:00 AM – Depart from Anrakuji

After breakfast, your guide and private vehicle will be waiting to take you to eleven temples that are part of the pilgrimage route. Enjoy seeing the differences between these temples located in or around Tokushima City.

Route: Temples 7 to 17

• Temple 7 Jūrakuji – People come here to pray for eye problems or to have or break a relationship.

• Temple 8 Kumadaniji – This temple has the oldest main gate among the 88 temples.

• Temple 9 Hōrinji – In the main hall there are many straw sandals that people have given to the temple as part of their prayer for strong legs or for a cure of leg problems.

• Temple 10 Kirihataji – Visitors walking up to this temple must climb 333 steps. The 2-storey tower was moved from Osaka.

• Temple 11 Fujiidera – This temple is famous for its cascading wisteria and it is the starting point for the challenging trek to Shōsanji.

• Temple 12 Shōsanji – This temple is one of three mountain temples in Tokushima prefecture. The temple is surrounded by a dense cedar forest. Coming here feels like stepping into another world—silent, sacred, and humbling.

• Temple 13 Dainichiji – This temple is closely related to Ichinomiya Shrine across the street, which used to hold the statue of the main deity.

• Temple 14 Jōrakuji – This temple is built on an unusual rock outcrop. It is said that if you drink the tea boiled with the leaves of the tree by the main hall, you will be cured of diabetes.

• Temple 15 Kokubunji – This temple is the “national temple” of Tokushima prefecture as ordered by Emperor Tenmu during the 8th century. The garden has been designated as a “Place of Scenic Beauty.”

• Temple 16 Kannōnji – This temple is in a suburban area and is well-known for a story about a woman who clothes lit on fire as a punishment for treating her mother-in-law badly.

• Temple 17 Idōji – This temple has a well said to have been dug by Kūkai. Like Temple 3 Konsenji if you look into the well and see your reflection, it is said that you will live a long life.

Evening

Return to Tokushima City for a restful overnight stay.

Around 9:00 AM – Depart from hotel

After breakfast, your guide and private vehicle will take you to six temples (Temples 18 to 23) including two mountain temples.

Route: Temples 18 to 23

• Temple 18 Onzanji –Kōbō Daishi`s mother visited him at this temple and is said to have shaved off her hair.

• Temple 19 Tatsuēji – This temple is well-known for a story about a woman whose hair got entwined with the temple rope and had to be cut off.

• Temple 20 Kakurinji – The name of this temple is “crane forest temple” because of two cranes that protected a small statue when Kobo Daishi visited here.

• Temple 21 Tairyūji – Kōbō Daishi trained at this large mountain temple which received a lot of financial support from high-ranking officials in the past.

• Temple 22 Byōdōji –People have come here to pray for cures. There are three wooden wagons that pilgrims, who could not walk but were healed when coming here, can be seen around the main hall.

• Temple 23 Yakuōji – There are steps here for men and women to climb to prevent misfortune during their “worst” year of life – 42 for men and 33 for women. The temple has a great view of the surrounding village and bay.

After breakfast, your guide and private vehicle will take you along Kōchi prefecture`s stunning coastline to historic temples and beautiful botanical gardens.

Today, you will visit eight pilgrimage temples that offer a unique glimpse of the region’s rich spiritual heritage and natural beauty.

Route: Temples 24 to 31

• Temple 24 Hotsumisakiji – Located at the southernmost tip of Shikoku on Cape Muroto, this temple overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

• Temple 25 Shinshōji – This relatively new temple is located at the top of some steep steps and overlooks the port of Murotsu.

• Temple 26 Kongōchōji – It is said that this temple has a set of gilt-bronze traveling tools that used to belong to Kōbō Daishi.

• Temple 27 Kōnomineji – This temple (elev. 450m) has a remarkable Japanese garden with seasonal flowers and a spring that contains water said to cure illnesses.

• Temple 28 Dainichiji – This temple has two statues – seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai and standing statue of Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu – which are designated as National Important Cultural Properties

• Temple 29 Kokubunji – Kōbō Daishi is said to have performed a secret ceremony here called hoshiku to ward off evil spirits and this practice has been passed on until today.

• Temple 30 Zenrakuji – People come to this temple, which was designated at the “true” Temple 30 in 1994, to pray for traffic safety, safe childbirth, or for babies who passed away.

• Temple 31 Chikurinji – This temple located at the top of Mt. Godaisan (elev. 145m) is famous for its elegant five-story pagoda and serene garden, which has designated as National Place of Scenic Beauty.

Afternoon: Makino Botanical Garden

• Enjoy a stroll through the Makino Botanical Garden, dedicated to Dr. Tomitaro Makino (1862-1957), a world-renowned botanist from Kōchi and experience the vibrant seasonal displays of native plants and flowers.

Evening: Dinner at Hirome Market

Hirome Market is a lively food hall popular among locals and visitors. Savor the famous Katsuo no Tataki (seared bonito), sip local sake, and explore a variety of stalls offering authentic Kōchi flavors. Enjoy the bustling atmosphere, friendly chatter, and the vibrant spirit of the community as you end your day in Kōchi City.

Stay overnight in Kōchi City

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be comfortably transferred to Kōchi Station or Kōchi Airport for your onward journey.