Roots of Japanese Spirituality in Eastern Shikoku

June 30, 2026

Tour Overview

Immerse yourself in the vibrant layers of Japanese spirituality, where ancient forms of nature reverence continue to shape living traditions of prayer, practice, and pilgrimage. An expert guide-interpret accompanies you for the journey to provide context and facilitate conversations. A private car and professional driver enables you to travel with complete privacy and flexibility.

The journey leads deep into the mountains of the Iya region to encounter enduring expressions of Shinto-inspired nature veneration, before continuing to Kochi and Tokushima to explore how the same sensitivity to the natural world underlies Japan’s distinctive Buddhist practices of meditation, ritual, and pilgrimage. 

Hikers head toward the summit of sacred Mt. Tsurugi.

Who is this tour for?

Designed for travelers who want to go beyond surface impressions, this experience-centered itinerary offers a grounded, hands-on introduction to the spiritual currents that have shaped Japanese life for centuries. This journey includes a good amount of walking, hiking, and visits to temples with stairs, but can be modified to suit travelers differing physical capacities. It can also be adjusted to include longer walks.For those interested in a tour that features daily hikes, we recommend our Shikoku Pilgrimage Hiking Tour.For those interested in taking a deep dive specifically into the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, we recommend our Shikoku Pilgrimage Tour: Selected Temples by Private Car.

Two American residents of Shikoku prepare for takigyo, waterfall meditation, at Konji-ji, a temple in Tokushima with deep Shugendo ties — Visitors prepare to bathe in the waterfall at Konji-ji temple.

Important

The Oku-iya and Mt. Tsurugi portions of this tour (days 3-4) are not available in the winter months (December to Mid-April). This itinerary can be customized to suit the season, so please inquire for more details.

Tour Itinerary

STEP

Day 1: Arrive in Kagawa

Your journey begins in Shikoku’s northeastern prefecture of Kagawa, with arrival in either the lively coastal city of Takamatsu or the historic pilgrimage town of Kotohira. Settle in and take time to rest for the journey ahead.

STEP

Day 2: Foundations of Shinto and Buddhism

Meet your guide and driver at your hotel and begin the journey with visits to two of Shikoku’s most important spiritual centers: Kotohira Shrine and Zentsū-ji Temple. One Shinto, one Buddhist, these sites offer a clear and grounded introduction to the religious traditions that shape daily life across the island.

Lunch features Kagawa’s renowned udon noodles. Dinner (not included) is at a local restaurant.

Breakfast, Lunch

Stairs rise through the forest toward the Inner Shrine on Mt. Kompira.

STEP

Day 3: Exploring Shintō’s Roots in the Iya Valley

Travel deep into the mountains of central Shikoku to the remote Iya Valley, where traditions of nature and ancestor veneration remain closely tied to daily life. In the village of Shigesue, meet the Ishikawa family and visit their household Yama no Kami, a natural shrine honoring the spirits of the land. Share a home-cooked lunch with the family before visiting nearby Gosho Shrine, known for its ancient cedar and quiet, otherworldly atmosphere.

Continue to your accommodation in the region. Dinner (included) is at your accommodation.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Makoto Ishikawa guides visitors to his family's shrine to the mountain deities. — Makoto Ishikawa guides visitors to his family’s shrine to the mountain deities.

STEP

Day 4: Climbing Sacred Mt. Tsurugi

After breakfast, travel to Mt. Tsurugi, a mountain long revered within the Shugendō tradition. Begin with a blessing at Tsurugi Shrine before ascending the mountain, either on foot from the shrine or by chairlift followed by a shorter hike. At the summit, enjoy time among the mountain’s sacred sites and expansive views before descending to your accommodation at the foot of the mountain.

Lunch is at the summit lodge. Dinner (included) is at your accommodation.

Visitors smile in front of Mt. Tsurugi's dramatic sacred rock formations. — Visitors stop to admire Mt. Tsurugi’s dramatic sacred rock formations.

Hike Info:

From the Parking Lot: 5 km (3.1 miles); Elevation Gain: ↑561m (1840 ft) ↓561m (1840 ft); Time: Approx. 3 hours walking

From the Upper Lift Station: 1.2km; Elevation Gain: ↑205 m ↓205 m; Time: Approx. 90 mins walking

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

STEP

Day 5: The Mountain’s Gifts in Oku-Iya

Begin the day with a gentle walk at the headwaters of the Sadamitsu River, one of Japan’s clearest waterways, before continuing deeper into Oku-Iya. Visit the region’s iconic vine bridges and prepare lunch together with Reiko-san, a local cook known for her deep knowledge of Iya’s food traditions, making handmade buckwheat noodles using local ingredients.

In the afternoon, travel south toward Kochi, stopping at Buraku-ji, a historic temple with structures dating back over a millennium. Dinner (not included) is at a local restaurant in Kochi.

Breakfast, Lunch

Ms. Reiko Tsuzuki regales visitors to her soba shop.

STEP

Day 6: Political Power and Elite Retreats in Kōchi

After breakfast, visit Kochi Castle, a reminder of the region’s feudal past, before lunch at the Makino Botanical Gardens. In the afternoon, step into the quiet grounds of Chikurin-ji, a temple long associated with reflection and retreat, to experience meditation and shakyo calligraphy under the guidance of resident priests.

Continue onward to Muroto. Dinner (not included) is at a restaurant near your accommodation.

Breakfast, Lunch

Visitors to Chikurin-ji smile alongside temple priests.

STEP

Day 7: Following the Saint’s Footsteps

Explore the rugged coastline of Muroto, part of a UNESCO Global Geopark, where the Buddhist saint Kūkai practiced as a young monk. Visit the coastal caves associated with his early training before continuing inland to Shikoku Pilgrimage Temple 21, Tairyū-ji, via western Japan’s longest cable car. The mountaintop temple’s grounds offer sweeping views and a strong sense of mystery and quiet. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Those who wish to can stay overnight at Anraku-ji in traditional pilgrimage lodging, with the option to attend an evening chanting service. Dinner depends on accommodation choice.

Breakfast, Lunch

A bronze sculpture of the saint Kūkai at Mt. Shashin,

STEP

Day 8: Purification and Celebration

Begin the day at Konji-ji, a mountain temple connected to the Shikoku pilgrimage, where you may participate in esoteric Buddhist practices such as the Goma fire ritual, waterfall meditation (takigyō), or both, guided by the temple priest.

After a farewell lunch, conclude the journey with a visit to the Awa Odori Dance Museum, enjoying a performance of Tokushima’s iconic festival dance before checking into your hotel and saying farewell to your guide and driver. Dinner (not included) is at a local restaurant.

Breakfast, Lunch

Visitors participate in a goma fire ritual at Konji-ji.

STEP

Day 9: Onward Travel

Depart Shikoku or continue onward travel.

FAQs

How hard is the walking?

All of the walks on this tour are adjustable to suit anyone with light hiking experience.

Are there vegetarian options?

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options remain somewhat rare in Shikoku compared to Tokyo and other metropolitan areas. That being said, we work hard to set up meals and accommodations that suit our clients’ dietary needs, and regularly serve clients with dietary restrictions. Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions so we can build a tour that’s right for you.

What should I bring for walking?

Essential items include a warm jacket (or puffy in early spring and late fall), shoes suitable for hiking with strong grip and good support, rain gear, and a water bottle. Sun cream, insect repellent, and other incidentals are available in Japan. Let us know if you need to do some shopping before the tour begins.

Do I need to bring any formal clothing?

No, unless you want to dress up for dinner or your nights on the town.

At temples and shrines, a good rule of thumb for both men and women is to cover your shoulders and legs.

What’s your cancellation policy?

Our cancellation policy is as follows;

Cancelled more than 21 days prior to start: 10% of the total fee
Cancelled between 20 and 8 days prior to start: 20% of the total fee
Cancelled between 7 days and 48 hours prior to start: 30% of the total fee
Cancelled between 48 and 24 hours prior to start: 40% of the total fee
Cancelled within 24 hours of start: 50% of the total fee
Cancelled on the day of start or failure to show: 100% of the total fee
No refunds will be given after the tour has commenced.

What are your payment terms?

When you book a tour, we ask for a 10% deposit, with the balance to be paid a month before the start of the tour. You can pay by credit card or bank transfer.