It may be the smallest of Japan's main islands, but Shikoku is brimming with natural beauty and rich cultural traditions. At the island's heart, vast mountains and crystal-clear streams make for an impressive scene, while encircling the entire island is an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage route complete with no less than 88 temples. | Visit Japan International

The Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage is a spiritual journey following in the footsteps of Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai, who reached enlightenment in the isolated mountains and decided to devote his life to the Buddha. Following intense study of Buddhism in China and the creation of the temple complex on Mount Koya, he never forgot his home island of Shikoku and undertook a journey to visit all of its 88 temples. Even today pilgrims from all over the world follow in his footsteps and visit the temples d

It may be the smallest of Japan's main islands, but Shikoku is brimming with natural beauty and rich cultural traditions. At the island's heart, vast mountains and crystal-clear streams make for an impressive scene, while encircling the entire island is an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage route complete with no less than 88 temples. | Visit Japan International

Shikoku, the fourth largest island in Japan, is located southwest of Honshu. Shikoku means "four countries" and is divided into four prefectures. It is a warm region with mild weather all year round, with less rain and snow, and many spectacular natural spots such as oceans, mountains, and rivers. Tokushima has a wealth of natural scenery, including the Iya Valley, one of Japan's three most unexplored areas, the Oboke and Koboke ravines, and the whirlpools of the Naruto Straits. It is also famou