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A Zen Buddhist monk born in Japan in the late 8th century, called Kukai or Kobo Daishi (posthumously), supposedly traveled to 88 temples in Shikoku. In doing this trek he unexpectedly established a sort of pilgrimage that is now popular in Shikoku, Japan and around the world today by Buddhists, Zen enthusiasts - as well as those interested in spirituality.

There are many reasons that people today follow this path to the 88 temples known locally as The Ohenro (pilgrimage). Some go to experience nature, some for the exercise and experience, some for spiritual well-being, and some for reflection. You do not have to have a special reason to do the pilgrimage, but I believe that most travel it to find some type of spiritual balance or awakening.

It is typically traveled on foot by Ohenro purists; and the distance for travel is approximately 1200 kilometers which takes somewhere around 40-60 days. Of course, there are other ways to travel for those who cannot afford the time to travel on foot, so they use train, bus, car, motorbike, bicycle, etc. There is no set way to take in the 88 temples. Whatever suits your needs is fine.

There are four prefectures in Shikoku with a various amount of temples in each one. The temples are listed by number and start with number 1 in Tokushima Prefecture, then clockwise to Kochi, Ehime, and finish with temple 88 in Kagawa. There are 23 temples in Tokushima; 16 temples in Kochi; 26 temples in Ehime; and 23 temples in Kagawa.

There is no particular order to see all the temples. Many start at the first temple and finish at the 88th. Some believe that if you travel the Ohenro backwards (called Gyaku Uchi) from temple 88 to temple 1, that the spirit of Kobo Daishi will visit you along your travels and bring you good fortune.

Whatever your reasons to travel the Ohenro, it is something that should bring you an experience that you will not likely forget!