I planned to start hiking at 8 a.m., but by the time I reached Konzoji it was already 9:15. After visiting the first few temples—Konzoji, Zentsuji, and Koyama—the real challenge began: a steep mountain trail crossing five peaks. The narrow, sandy paths tested my footing, and some sections had me crawling on all fours with chains to hold onto.

Reaching Mt. Gahaishi (481m) was a huge relief, but the descent remained tough. Along the way, I visited Shusshakaji, perched right on a cliff, where an older hiker generously shared chocolate and stories from over 50 years on this trail—an inspiring moment.

The final temples, Mandara and Iyadaniji, pushed my endurance even further, with Iyadaniji’s 500+ steps warning me of the difficulty. Surprisingly, I made it to the top without too much trouble and completed the hike at the train station, exhausted but elated. Today was far harder than I expected, but finishing it made it unforgettable.

I felt much better today thanks to the cooler weather. I took a train from Takamatsu to Kinashi Station, briefly panicking over whether IC cards would work—luckily, they did.

The route wound up a leafy mountain road, switching between trail and paved paths, leading first to Negoroji Temple, a quiet spot where I paid my respects. Halfway to Shiromine Temple, I discovered drinks left by a father in memory of his daughter—a touching gesture that kept me refreshed.

The final stretch to Tennoji Temple was tricky, with unclear signs, overgrown paths, and loose rocks, but I made it safely. With the next train approaching, I didn’t linger long, ending the day with a sense of accomplishment after a challenging but meaningful pilgrimage hike.

While in Shikoku, I decided to walk a section of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Though the full route spans 1,200 km, I focused on a small stretch around Mt. Yashima (293m), where Yashima Temple sits. The climb was steeper and sandier than expected, with a few tricky spots where the trail nearly led me the wrong way.

At the top, I met another pilgrim who was surprised to see a foreigner on the route in winter and kindly offered me a bottle of green tea. I spent some time at the temple before heading toward Yakuri Station, ultimately taking the train back to Takamatsu and walking to my accommodation. A short section, but a rewarding taste of the pilgrimage.

Hike part of the Shikoku 88 Temples Trail from Cape Uno to Cape Ashizuri, exploring sacred sites and stunning coastal views.