Shikoku 88 temple tours?

Hi,
I saw this documentary on the Shikoku pilgrimate of the 88 temples, making me kind of curious to do this pilgrimage. They say you need 40 days of walking, but I probably wont have the time to be there so long.

There are bus tours as I understand. Are there any such tours with and English guide? Or if not, would basic Japanese be fine during the tour?

Some people say it might be faster doing it by a mix of hiking and public transport. Is this true?

Thanks in beforehand!

Yes, there are bus tours, and ones with an English speaking guide. There is also an ebook written about doing the 88 Temple Pilgrimage by bicycle, which would take less time. Here are some bus tours that I found:

http://www.shikokuhenrotrail.com/shikoku/busHenro.html
http://www.theorientalcaravan.com/pages/Shikoku.htm

Here is a site with book that might be helpful:

http://www.shikokuhenrotrail.com/shikoku/pilgrimagebooksGuidebooks.htm...

There are several bloggers who have documented their journey:
http://www.shikokupilgrimage.com/henro-intro


I would first suggest doing a smaller pilgrimage first, a Kannon pilgrimage. There are three major Kannon Pilgrimage that are 33, 33 and 34 temples long, that combine to make a 100 Temple Pilgrimage. One is located around Tokyo, and one around Osaka/Kyoto area, the third is in Chichibu. I have not found a English guide for the Bandou Pilgrimage (Kanto Region) and the Saikoku Pilgriimage (Kansai Region), but there is an English Guide for the Chichibu Pilgrimage.

I have done the 34 Temple Chichibu Pigrimage, which can be walked in 5 to 7 days without changing hotels. It is just over 100 kilometers long. Have you looked into doing this first?

Chichibu is about 100 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, so it is very accessable, and this is a very good first step to see if you enjoy doing pilgrimages.

I hope this helps.

Well maybe it would be better off doing it in parts, like going to temple 1-22 by walking or bicycle (or public transport), or at least to a point where the access to and from the temple is not too hard when wanting to pause and continue the journey some time later.

I have already been to Koya actually buying some o henro items. I miss the stick though as it is hard to bring in the bag overseas...

In fact I did look into the chichibu trail but last time went to Japan during summer so a bit too hot hike. Next time I plan on going in autumn instead.

I didn't buy the staff with the rings on it, I Just purchased the basic stick at Temple 13 and used it throughout the hike. Temple 13 is very close to Seibu-Chichibu Station, and has all of the clothing, books, and scrolls for the pilgrimage. I think temple 1 also had a lot of stuff.

If you do walk the Chichibu Pilgrimage, purchase a bell at temple 33. I have no idea if any of the other temples had bells, but I saw them against a wall and rang one, and was instantly sold on the quality.

My plan is to do the Shikoku Pilgrimage in three or four trips. Here is a link that shows the pilgrimage broken down into four sections:

http://cycling-tourism.blogspot.com/2010/08/shikoku-pilgrim.html