10-Day Private Ohenro Tour with Kochi, Iya and Takamatsu
Customisable Itinerary
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Trip Overview
This humbling 10-day Japan itinerary takes you in the footsteps of the Kobo Daishi, as you hop between several of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage trail.
With a mixture of leisurely walks and challenging hikes, following the pilgrimage trail will take you to a spiritual heart of Japan that is often missed by travellers to Japan as you learn about the history and legends behind each temple you visit.
While you will spend most of your time in Japan's natural landscape with a chance to have an onsen experience, you'll also visit the cities of Kochi, Tokushima and Kagawa to embrace the hustle and bustle of Japan's city life.This humbling 10-day Japan itinerary takes you in the footsteps of the Kobo Daishi, as you hop between several of the 88 temples on the Shikoku Ohenro pilgrimage trail.
With a mixture of leisurely walks and challenging hikes, following the pilgrimage trail will take you to a spiritual heart of Japan that is often missed by travellers to Japan as you learn about the history and legends behind each temple you visit.
While you will spend most of your time in Japan's natural landscape with a chance to have an onsen experience, you'll also visit the cities of Kochi, Tokushima and Kagawa to embrace the hustle and bustle of Japan's city life.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Start in Osaka and Visit the First Ohenro Temples
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You'll depart early from Osaka and start walking the Ohenro Temples, the temples you will see today are all within close proximity, so we can easily walk from one to the other. You will go from one through three of the 88 temples on the Ohenro pilgrimage trail, stopping at one of the temple peripheries for the night.
Accommodation
Temple No. 7 - Jūraku-ji
Activities
Ryozen-Ji Temple
Temple No. 2 - Gokurakuji
Temple No. 3 - Konsenji
Temple No. 7 - Jurakuji
Transportations
Private Driver from Tokushima to Temple No. 1 - Ryozen-ji
Walking from Temple No. 1 - Ryozen-ji to Temple No. 3 - Konsen-ji
Walking from Temple No. 2 - Gokuraku-Ji to Temple No. 3 - Konsen-ji
Private Driver from Temple No. 3 - Konsen-ji to Temple No. 7 - Jūraku-ji
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Naruto
Itano
Awa
Day 2
Visit Temples inside Tokushima & Walk Through the City
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You'll continue on the Ohenro trail walking to visit the temples inside Tokushima city. You'll start by visiting Temple No. 13, the Dainichiji Temple, followed by temple 14 and 15 which will take you across the city. All of the temples are thought to have been created by the Kobo Daishi who founded the Shingon sect of Buddhism in Japan. You'll visit the world's famous Naruto Whirlpools below the bridge before wrapping your day in Tokushima city.
Accommodation
Hotel Sunroute Tokushima★3 star
Activities
Temple Number 13 - Dainichiji
Jōrakuji Temple
Awa Kokubunji
Naruto Whirlpools
Transportations
Private Driver from Temple No. 7 - Jūraku-ji to Temple Number 13 - Dainichiji (大日寺)
Walking from Temple Number 13 - Dainichiji (大日寺) to Temple No. 14 - Jōraku-ji
Private Driver from Naruto Whirlpools to Hotel Sunroute Tokushima
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Awa
Tokushima
Tateyama
Naruto
Day 3
Mountain-Top Temples on Central Tokushima
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Today, you'll walk to the top of one of the highest temples in the Ohenro route. Be prepared for a challenging ascent and descent, with beautiful river and villages, and stories of Kobo Daishi. You'll be rewarded with the most amazing views across Central Tokushima along with the quiet of the most difficult temple to access on this part of the trail.
Accommodation
Hotel Ryugu
Activities
Kakurinji Temple
Hike to Tairyuji Temple
Tairyū-ji Temple
Transportations
Private Driver from Hotel Sunroute Tokushima to Kakurinji Temple
Private Driver from Tairyū-ji to Anan
Meals
Breakfast and lunch
Destinations
Tokushima
Katsuura
Anan
Day 4
Walk the Eastern Shore of Tokushima to Reach Yakuoji Temple
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Today, you'll start walking from Temple number 22, Byodoji, you will need to pass through one mountain to reach the other side of Hiwasa and then continue walking along the seaside to reach Yakuoji Temple which protects sailors from danger. Today's walk is moderate but scenic, as get closer and closer to the coast. You'll finish with a relaxing moment, as you arrive at your hotel, right on the seaside.
Accommodation
Hotel Shiroitodai
Activities
Byodo-Ji Temple
Temple Number 23 - Yakuōji
Transportations
Private Driver from Ryugu Hotel to Byōdōji Temple
Walking from Byōdōji Temple to Temple Number 23 - Yakuōji (薬王寺)
Private Driver from Temple Number 23 - Yakuōji (薬王寺) to ホテル白い燈台
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Anan
Minami
Day 5
Continue to the Eastern Shore of Kochi
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You'll keep travelling on the eastern shore Tokushima, which connects to Muroto, a famous stop that marks the entrance to the eastern shore of Kochi prefecture. Kochi is connected to the Pacific, availing spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean that stretches out to the horizon. Your night is planned inside Kochi, a bustling city with friendly locals often gathered in places to end their day while drinking and having a good time.
Accommodation
The Crown Palais New Hankyu Kochi★3 star
Activities
Muroto
Hotsumisaki-Ji Temple
Temple Number 25 - Shinshoji
Kongobu-Ji
Kitagawa Village Monet's Garden Marmottan
Transportations
Private Driver from ホテル白い燈台 to Cape Muroto
Walking from Temple Number 24 - Hotsumisakiji (最御崎寺) to Shinshoji Temple
Walking from Temple Number 25 - Shinshōji (津照寺) to Temple Number 26 - Kongōchōji (金剛頂寺)
Private Driver from Temple Number 26 - Kongōchōji (金剛頂寺) to The Crown Palais New Hankyu Kochi
Private Driver from Kitagawa village "Monet's Garden" Marmottan to The Crown Palais New Hankyu Kochi
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Minami
Muroto
Kōya
Kitagawa
Kochi
Day 6
Kochi City Temples and Continue to Western Kochi
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You'll start your day by visiting some popular temples inside Kochi city, today's walking experience goes between temples and passes through city trails, a new experience on your Ohenro walking trip. Continue to the temples of western Kochi sitting on the coast. You'll finish walking early today to have time to enjoy and onsen experience in your hotel which is located next to a popular surfing beach.
Accommodation
Sanyo-so Ryokan
Activities
Temple Number 32 - Zenjibuji
Sekkeiji Temple
Temple Number 36 - Shoryuji
Transportations
Private Driver from The Crown Palais New Hankyu Kochi to Temple Number 32 - Zenjibuji (禅師峰寺)
Walking from Temple Number 32 - Zenjibuji (禅師峰寺) to Sekkeiji Temple
Private Driver from Sekkeiji Temple to Sanyo-so
Private Driver from かつお船 to Temple Number 36 - Shōryūji (青竜寺)
Private Driver from Temple Number 36 - Shōryūji (青竜寺) to 土佐龍温泉 三陽荘
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Kochi
Nankoku
Tosa
Izunokuni
Day 7
Hike to a Hilltop Temple and Back to Bustling Kochi City
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You'll start your morning by hiking to a temple at the top of a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean and hills nearby. Then, you'll continue travelling to the most popular temple in Kochi City, Chikurnji followed by a visit to the bustling Hirome Market where you can choose to eat lunch. If you are interested, you can travel to Kochi Castle freely after this to learn a little more about the city.
Accommodation
The Crown Palais New Hankyu Kochi★3 star
Activities
Temple Number 35 - Kiyotakiji
Chikurin-ji
Hiromi Market
Kochi CastleOptional Activity
Transportations
Private Driver from 土佐龍温泉 三陽荘 to Marunaka Tosaten
Walking from Marunaka Tosaten to Temple Number 35 - Kiyotakiji (清滝寺)
Private Driver from Temple Number 35 - Kiyotakiji (清滝寺) to The Crown Palais New Hankyu Kochi
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Izunokuni
Tosa
Kochi
Day 8
Transfer to the Beautiful Iya Valley
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Today, you'll travel to Iya Valley following a beautiful route along Yoshino River. The first spot in Iya Valley will be Oboke Gorge, where you will ride relaxing houseboat passing along the Yoshino River. Then, you'll visit the famous ancient vine bridge that is regarded as one of Japan's rarest. You'll then visit the small peeing boy statue on a cliff for a comical end to the day.
Accommodation
Keikoku no Kakure Yado Iya Bijin★3 star
Activities
Nishijima Horticultural Park
Ōboke Gorge
Iya-no-Kazura Bashi
Peeing Boy Statue
Transportations
Private Driver from The Crown Palais New Hankyu Kochi to Nishijima Horticultural Park
Private Driver from Nishijima Horticultural Park to 大歩危・小歩危
Private Driver from 大歩危・小歩危 to Iya-no-Kazura Vine Bridge
Private Driver from Iya-no-Kazura Vine Bridge to Statue of a Peeing Boy
Private Driver from Statue of a Peeing Boy to Keikoku no Kakure Yado Iya Bijin
Meals
Breakfast and dinner
Destinations
Kochi
Nankoku
Miyoshi
Day 9
Iya Valley, Kagawa Temples and Takamatsu
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You'll visit some more beautiful spots in the Iya Balley before you continue to Kagawa, one of Shikoku's most popular destinations. In Kagawa, you will walk along an old train line from Shiromineji Temple to Negoroji Temple through beautiful mountain forests overlooking Seto-Inland Sea that both of these temples protect. Later in the day, you'll go to Takamatsu to rest. You'll have the option to visit Ritsurin Garden.
Accommodation
Rihga Hotel Zest Takamatsu★4 star
Activities
Shiromine-Ji Temple
Negoro-ji Temple
Transportations
Private Driver from Keikoku no Kakure Yado Iya Bijin to Shiromineji Temple
Walking from Shiromineji Temple to Temple Number 82 - Negoroji (根香寺)
Private Driver from Temple Number 82 - Negoroji (根香寺) to RIHGA Hotel Zest Takamatsu
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Miyoshi
Sakaide
Takamatsu
Day 10
End of the Trip
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Today concludes your 10-day Japan itinerary. In the morning, you'll transfer to a nearby train station or bus station for the end of your journey.
Transportations
Walking from RIHGA Hotel Zest Takamatsu to Takamatsu StationRequest to Book
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Takamatsu
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What’s included?
9 nights accommodation
29 activities
10 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
Airport transfer
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
Alcohol beverages
Domestic flights
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
International flights
Laundry
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Starting From
AU$ 8,315/ per traveller sharing
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Benefits of this trip
Japan in 10 days
4-star, 3-star accommodation
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
