Shikoku Island holiday, Japan, in the Footsteps of Pilgrims
| country: | Japan |
| departures: | 2010: 8 May |
| price: | From £2125 (15 days) excluding flights |
| more info: | Minimum age 18 (occasionally negotiable if accompanied by an adult). |
| offers: | Some spaces still available for this delightful off-the-beaten-track train journey around Japan's holy island of Shikoku. Special GBP100 discount available for this departure only. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Shikoku Island holiday, Japan, in the Footsteps of Pilgrims
“Do not just walk in the footsteps of the men of old, seek what they sought”. Kobo Daishi (774 – 835).
Shikoku, smallest of Japan's four main islands, has throughout history maintained its isolation well. Even today, with the construction of bridges that connect it to the rest of Japan, so few travellers make it this far that it remains one of the last essentially undiscovered places in Asia. Those who do make the effort to leave the bustle of Japan's city life behind soon find themselves rewarded by an island of immense natural beauty, steeped everywhere in colourful legend and history. Not least, deep in the centre of the island are the stunning valleys of Iyadani, the "Tibet of Japan", to where, 800 years ago, the remnants of the Heike clan fled after their defeat at the hands of the Genji. Everywhere are ancient broad-leaved forests, idyllic hot springs (including, at Dogo, the country's oldest spa resort dating from the 8th century) and timeless rustic hamlets all framed by some of the finest coastal scenery in all Japan.
For the Japanese, Shikoku is perhaps most famous for its pilgrimage tour of the 88 Sacred Temples and it is the dearly held ambition of almost all to complete a circuit of the island at some point in their lives, following in the footsteps of the country's greatest saint, the revered Kobo Daishi. It is from this pilgrimage that this trip has taken its inspiration and direction and, in keeping with pilgrim tradition, we intend to complete the circuit of the island, albeit by train and bus, in a clockwise manner. This pioneering journey will reward participants with a rare glimpse into the last vestiges of a mysterious, rural Japan where the pace of life slows to the rhythm of the seasons, and where natural and spiritual treasures unfold at every step.
Shikoku, smallest of Japan's four main islands, has throughout history maintained its isolation well. Even today, with the construction of bridges that connect it to the rest of Japan, so few travellers make it this far that it remains one of the last essentially undiscovered places in Asia. Those who do make the effort to leave the bustle of Japan's city life behind soon find themselves rewarded by an island of immense natural beauty, steeped everywhere in colourful legend and history. Not least, deep in the centre of the island are the stunning valleys of Iyadani, the "Tibet of Japan", to where, 800 years ago, the remnants of the Heike clan fled after their defeat at the hands of the Genji. Everywhere are ancient broad-leaved forests, idyllic hot springs (including, at Dogo, the country's oldest spa resort dating from the 8th century) and timeless rustic hamlets all framed by some of the finest coastal scenery in all Japan.
For the Japanese, Shikoku is perhaps most famous for its pilgrimage tour of the 88 Sacred Temples and it is the dearly held ambition of almost all to complete a circuit of the island at some point in their lives, following in the footsteps of the country's greatest saint, the revered Kobo Daishi. It is from this pilgrimage that this trip has taken its inspiration and direction and, in keeping with pilgrim tradition, we intend to complete the circuit of the island, albeit by train and bus, in a clockwise manner. This pioneering journey will reward participants with a rare glimpse into the last vestiges of a mysterious, rural Japan where the pace of life slows to the rhythm of the seasons, and where natural and spiritual treasures unfold at every step.
best time to go
Spring and Autumn are the best times for travel in Japan. May is a delightful time to travel on the island of Shikoku with warm, but not too hot, temperatures and little chance of rain. day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Kyoto. Arrival (Hotel). |
| Day 2: | Kyoto tour. Morning tour of Kyoto including Ryoan-ji Zen Garden and the Golden Temple (Hotel). |
| Day 3: | Kyoto free day. Free day to explore. (Hotel). |
| Day 4: | Koya San - via train. By train via the 10th Century Byodo In Temple in Uji to the ‘Mount Athos of Japan’, Mount Koya (Shukubo). |
| Day 5: | Koya san - Mount Koya. Full day to explore Mount Koya including the amazing cemetery of Okuno-in (Shukubo). |
| Day 6: | Tokushima. By train and ferry to Tokushima. Visit Ryozen-ji Temple, first on the 88 Temple circuit. (Hotel). |
| Day 7: | Shishikui. Pass through fishing villages, including Hiwasa, on the coastal line to Shishikui. Opportunities for swimming. (Beachfront Spa Hotel). |
| Day 8: | Arrive, Kochi. By coach to Kochi via Cape Muroto. Afternoon free in Kochi. (Hotel). |
| Day 9: | Explore Kochi. Visit Kochi's Sunday market. Kochi Castle and botanical gardens. Possible afternoon scenic train ride through Iyadani Valley. (Hotel). |
| Day 10: | Uwajima. Continue to Uwajima. Visit Taga Jinja Fertility shrine (and museum!). Explore Uwajima and its surroundings. (Hotel). |
| Day 11: | Dogo Onsen. Continue to Matsuyama and historic Dogo Onsen spa resort. Visit Matsuyama Castle and Ishite-ji Temple. (Ryokan). |
| Day 12: | Arrive, Kotohira. By train to Kotohira. Visit Kompira-san Temple. (Ryokan). |
| Day 13: | Explre Kotohira. Daytrip to explore the Iyadani valleys with their amazing vine bridges. (Ryokan). |
| Day 14: | Osaka. By train, via Ritsurin Garden, to Osaka, for a farewell Saturday night in one of Asia's liveliest cities. (Hotel). |
| Day 15: | Trip concludes. |
small group cultural tours
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as experiencing new cultures.how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment:
We use only public transport to get around on this tour, mainly Japan’s incredibly efficient train service. In Shikoku the lines are all local and the sleepy train service is a really stress-free and enjoyable way to travel. For the Iya Valley we join a local tour by ‘recycled’ Bonnet Bus. Most of the food we eat is locally produced including fish caught from local waters. For those who don’t eat fish there are some great opportunities to sample Japan’s exquisite vegetarian fare – including at Obaku a rare chance to sample fucha ryori, amazingly imaginative dishes to accompany Zen meditation. At Kochi we arrive just in time for the Sunday Market thereby supporting local produce and crafts. At Dogo and elsewhere we make use of natural hot springs for bathing in. In the UK we don’t produce wasteful glossy brochures and run an almost entirely paperless office – everything is done by email or online. Community: This is a small group tour that gets very much off the beaten track and which is able to blend into the local environment very smoothly. We stay in small scale establishments including monastic guesthouse and ryokan Japanese guesthouses. The tour loosely follows the established pilgrim circuit of Shikoku and is a great way of meeting Japanese people and getting close to traditional Japan. Visits to small local temples on the route help to bring in funds for their upkeep. We also support the local economy by eating at small local restaurants and bars and by occasionally using local guides. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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