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The Shikoku Pilgrimage - Japan's Sacred Trail
• Evocative photographs of one of the world's most famous pilgimages
• All 88 temples illustrated and discussed
• Includes accounts by former pilgrims
The Shikoku Pilgrimage on the island of the same name is one of the few circular pilgrimages in the world. At 1,200 kilometers in length, the trail includes 88 temples and passes through diverse countryside such as idyllic bamboo groves, deserted beaches and ordinary Japanese neighborhoods. There is a long tradition of pilgrimage in Japan, dating back at least to the time of the renowned monk, poet and philosopher Kobo Daishi (774-825) who is particularly associated with this trail. John Lander, long-time resident of Japan, author and photographer, has visited and recorded every temple in evocative images, as well as providing fascinating details about the origin of the trail and what the pilgrimage means to the thousands who undertake it every year. The pilgrimage is undertaken for many reasons – to have a time of reflection away from everyday life, as a spiritual journey or as a healing period after a traumatic life experience. Along the way, pilgrims will encounter ordinary Japanese people and learn to understand the custom of o-settai, or charitable giving.
• All 88 temples illustrated and discussed
• Includes accounts by former pilgrims
The Shikoku Pilgrimage on the island of the same name is one of the few circular pilgrimages in the world. At 1,200 kilometers in length, the trail includes 88 temples and passes through diverse countryside such as idyllic bamboo groves, deserted beaches and ordinary Japanese neighborhoods. There is a long tradition of pilgrimage in Japan, dating back at least to the time of the renowned monk, poet and philosopher Kobo Daishi (774-825) who is particularly associated with this trail. John Lander, long-time resident of Japan, author and photographer, has visited and recorded every temple in evocative images, as well as providing fascinating details about the origin of the trail and what the pilgrimage means to the thousands who undertake it every year. The pilgrimage is undertaken for many reasons – to have a time of reflection away from everyday life, as a spiritual journey or as a healing period after a traumatic life experience. Along the way, pilgrims will encounter ordinary Japanese people and learn to understand the custom of o-settai, or charitable giving.
- GenresJapanNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2021
8 people want to read
About the author
John Lander
4 books7 followersJohn Lander is from San Francisco, California, has spent half his life in Asia. Based in Kamakura and Kyoto, he has ample opportunities to capture local events, gardens in season, and Japanese life. Lander has a passion for Japanese festivals, hot springs, and local foods, but his first love has always been Japanese gardens. Naturally, he spends several months of the year in Kyoto, the unofficial headquarters for Japanese gardening.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 24, 2025
This is an absolutely beautiful book.
The temples are one place that we always visit when we are in Japan.
You can smell the incense as well as hear the chanting and bells straight from the pages.
The temples are one place that we always visit when we are in Japan.
You can smell the incense as well as hear the chanting and bells straight from the pages.
December 1, 2021
Such a beautiful and interesting book with exquisite photography. I'm not much of hiker, and not a Buddhist at all, but this book made me want to complete at least some of this pilgrimage trail. Armchair travel at its best.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews