2026 Scenic Trains and Pilgrimage Walks of Shikoku Japan

Welcome to Japan! On arrival at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport, you will be met by a Journey to the East guide and escorted to your airport hotel. (Those landing at Tokyo’s Narita Airport will also be met on arrival and escorted to your hotel at Haneda by airport bus.)

Today is an arrival day, and you will have a short orientation session and welcome drink in the evening. Your hotel is located at Haneda International Airport ready for the early start of the tour on Day 2. If you have time, you might like to consider a short trip into central Tokyo before the start of your 2026 Scenic Trains and Pilgrimage Walks of Shikoku, Japan.

*Many of our guests arrive a day or so early to settle in before the tour starts. Please contact us if you’d like us to arrange additional nights’ accommodation at the same hotel as the tour or in central Tokyo.

A domestic flight takes you to Takamatsu City in Kagawa Prefecture, the second biggest city and a gateway to Shikoku Island. You begin your exploration of the city with a visit to Yashima Temple, one of the 88 Temples of Shikoku Pilgrimage (temple no. 84) atop Mt Yashima, a uniquely shaped lava plateau and a landmark of Takamatsu City. The temple and surrounding historic monuments form a lovely circuit trail offering a great view of the Seto Inland Sea and Takamatsu City.

In the afternoon, you will visit another icon of Takamatsu, the magnificent Ritsurin Japanese Garden. Regarded as one of the best in Japan, the garden consists of 6 ponds and 13 artificial hills that have been skillfully positioned, blending perfectly with Mt Shiun behind. November is also one of the best times to visit the garden as it glows with autumn leaves.

In the evening, you enjoy "a welcome to Shikoku" dinner at a local restaurant.

Today's walking distance: 7 km (4.4 miles)
Elevation: mostly flat
Terrain: well-maintained walking path

A 35-minute high-speed ferry ride will take you to the island of Shodoshima off Takamatsu for a lovely day out. Historically and culturally rich Kankakei Gorge is considered one of the most spectacular gorges in Japan, especially in autumn when the leaves turn a myriad of different colours. You will go up by a ropeway from 295m to 612m above sea level, and walk down through the mountain trail for a couple of kilometers, passing by some great photography spots.

Shodoshima is famous for soy sauce production, where you can learn the traditional production method as well as taste some samples, including soy sauce ice cream! After lunch, you will visit Angel Road, a photogenic sand bar that appears as the tide goes out. The day ends at the Maze Town, an area with super narrow roads built to defend the island from the intruders in the 14th century. Today, it is a functioning suburb of Shodoshima with some residences, businesses, temples and galleries, providing an opportunity for a fascinating guided walk.

Back to Takamatsu by ferry, the evening is free to try the lively restaurant scene of Takamatsu.

Today's walking distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation: 377 m (1,236 feet) descent at Kankakei, mostly flat for the rest
Terrain: sealed road and some mountain path at Kankakei 

Today, you will walk on the pilgrimage route between Shiromineji Temple (temple no. 81) and Negoroji Temple (temple no. 82). This is a scenic and interesting section with many historical monuments along the way, ideal for a slow-paced guided walk.

While in the area, you will also visit Zentsuji Temple, where Kukai was born. In the basement of Miedo, one of the buildings in the temple complex, is the "Kaidan Meguri" - a 100-meter-long, pitch black tunnel which connects a visitor with Kukai by chanting his name.

Tonight, you will stay at a temple lodge at Zentsuji. As well as experiencing the journey of the pilgrims, with a simple room, dinner and breakfast, you will have an opportunity to observe a morning prayer at Zentsuji temple.

Today's walking distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Elevation: 120 m (394 feet) descent and 80 m (262 feet) ascent 
Terrain: mostly sealed road

Today, you will visit another landmark of Shikoku, the Kotohiragu Shrine, fondly called "Kompira san" by locals. You will need to go up 785 steps to the main hall and a total of 1,368 steps to reach the inner hall at the top. Once you arrive, you will be rewarded by a great view of the Seto Inland Sea dotted with islands. A 17th-century shoin building in the complex displays screen paintings by an Edo period master artist, Maruyama Okyo, and it is a rare opportunity to view the master pieces while in the area.

Udon noodles are the most loved food of Kagawa prefecture and you will try your hand at making the popular noodle today for lunch.

Tonight's accommodation is a restored old ryokan, it comes with an onsen hot spring bath and kaiseki dinner.

Today's walking distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)
Elevation: 421 m (1,381 feet) ascent and descent 
Terrain: 1,368 stone steps

Today, you will ride on the first scenic train. This trip is from Kotohira to Oboke in the Iya Valley, running through some of the most secluded parts of Shikoku, and indeed Japan. Along the way, you will be treated by gorgeous autumn colours as well as a special lunch prepared with local ingredients and served on board the train.

Upon arrival at Oboke Station, you will enjoy the autumn mountains from the Oboke Ravine pleasure boat. Oboke Gorge has unusual geological strata, where the upper layer is older than the lower layer. And it has been confirmed that the place was once a seabed. Extreme pressure and high temperature a long time ago caused the current rock formation.

Once again, you will stay at an onsen ryokan, but this time deep in the valley.

No substantial walking today.

You stretch your legs this morning by climbing Mt Tsurugi, the second-tallest mountain in Shikoku (1,955 meters /6,414 feet). It is also the center of Shugendo, a Japanese folk religion based on mountain worship. A chair lift will take you up to 1,750 meters/5.741 feet above sea level, and multiple walks to the summit allow visitors to choose one that suits their skills and fitness.

In the afternoon, you will continue exploring deep in the valley, visiting the historic Double Vine Bridge and the intriguing scarecrow village of Nagoro.

Back at the ryokan, enjoy another soak in the onsen bath after an active day.

Today's walking distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)
Elevation: 205 m (673 feet) ascent and descent 
Terrain: well-maintained mountain trail

You travel to the third prefecture of Shikoku, Kochi Prefecture, by private minivan this morning. The first stop here is another temple on the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage trail, Zenjibuji Temple  (temple no. 32). The temple is a protector of seafarers and is positioned at a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean below. From here, you will walk a section of the way to the next temple Chikurinji Temple (temple no. 31). It is a magnificent temple holding many treasures and gardens. Today, you will experience meditation, led by a Zen monk, in a building surrounded by spectacular autumn trees.

In the afternoon, you will continue your sightseeing of this charming regional city of Kochi. Makino Botanic Garden is a tranquil oasis created in honor of a plant taxonomist, Dr Tomitaro Makino, from Kochi. After exploring the mighty Kochi Castle complex, originally completed in 1603, you will finish the day with a visit to a lively local food market, Hirome Ichiba Market, with over 60 vendors from which you can choose your dinner.

Today's walking distance: 7 km (4.35 miles)
Elevation: 100 m (328 feet) descent, 130 m (427 feet) ascent  
Terrain: sealed road or well-maintained path 

Today, you make a day trip to the west of Kochi City to visit yuzu producing villages. Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit very popular for cooking the world over. Japan is the no 1 producer of yuzu, and Kochi accounts for 50% of Japan's yuzu production. November is the harvesting season of yuzu, and you will be able to see the golden fruit heavy on tree branches, hill after hill, ready to be harvested.  A visit to a yuzu sorting and packing facility, and then a chance to buy all sorts of yuzu products from the nearby co-op.

In the afternoon, you will continue enjoying Kochi's countryside and forest surrounded by the autumn colours. Back in Kochi, the evening is free tonight.

Today's walking distance: optional light walking only
Elevation: flat 
Terrain: rural and forest path 

After another scenic train ride from Kochi to Kubokawa, you will arrive at the Shimanto River. The 196 km river is said to be the last remaining free-flowing stream in Japan. The Agency for Cultural Affairs has designated the entire Shimanto River basin as an Important Cultural Landscape. Together with chinkabashi (submersible bridges), it is the symbolic landscape of Kochi. Local people take great pride in living in harmony with nature, and you can join them today, canoeing on the river.

Stay at a riverside accommodation tonight.

No substantial walking today. 

Changing the scenery from natural landscape to heritage built environment, your minivan drives across the border to Ehime, the last of the four prefectures of Shikoku. Today, you will visit the towns of Uchiko and Ozu, two townships whose heritages are affectionately preserved by locals.

At Uchiko, which originally prospered through the Japanese wax industry in the 19th century, you will have a guided walking tour visiting the Japanese wax museum and Uchiko-za Kabuki Theater, built in 1916 as well as other heritage properties.

After lunch, you move to Ozu, another charming heritage town sitting at the mouth of the Hiji-kawa river. A guided walking tour includes the town's symbol, Ozu Castle. Then, the magnificent Japanese garden at Garyu Sanso, where you can learn the principles of Japanese traditional architecture and outstanding devotion to aesthetic beauty.

Tonight you will stay at a special accommodation, beautifully renovated old merchant houses. Together with a superb dinner with a modern twist, it is sure to be a memorable night.

Today's walking distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)
Elevation: mostly flat
Terrain: sealed road *you will need to take your shoes off to enter some heritage buildings. 

The last scenic train ride on this trip, which runs along the coastline of Ehime, will take you to Japan's oldest and most famous onsen (hot spring) town of Dogo Onsen. The main building of Dogo Onsen was only reopened in 2024 after five and a half years of extensive restoration work. Between the main building and Dogo Onsen tram station is an old-style arcade filled with souvenir shops and restaurants, typical of onsen towns in Japan. Staying visitors to Dogo Onsen stroll around the town dressed in a yukata, which is a common scene at any onsen town in Japan. After a guided walking tour of the town, why not join the locals dressed in yukata and enjoy local craft beer or local specialty mandarin juice, before soaking in the hot tub. The ultimate onsen experience!

Today's walking distance: 3 km (1.9 miles)
Elevation: flat 
Terrain: sealed road 

Some strikingly spectacular scenery awaits on the last day of the tour. Today, you will visit Shimanami Kaido or Shimanami Sea Route in the Seto Inland Sea. The route connects 59.4 km between Imabari city on the Shikoku side and Onomichi city on the Honshu (the mainland) side, with 10 long bridges joining the islands on the route. All bridges have bicycle and pedestrian lanes making it one of the most popular cycling trails in Japan. Historically it was a playground of the strongest seafarers of Iyo (old Ehime) who had high adventures at sea in ancient times. There are still a lot of legends in this area, and you will find reminders of the past while passing through the islands.

Today, you will stop at some vantage points to marvel at the views, have more scenic pilgrimage walks, and visit Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima Island, a significant religious symbol of Shimanami Kaido. The main shrine was built in the Muromachi Period (1338-1573), representing the nagare-zukuri (wave-style) architecture of Shinto shrines. One of the most notable features of the shrine is the finest collection of armour in Japan. The shrine holds 80% of the existing armour and other equipment designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

After a day of fresh sea breeze and amazing views, you will be back at Dogo Onsen and share your last dinner with your fellow tour members.

Today's walking distance: 3 km (1.8 miles)
Elevation:  less than 100 m (328 feet) ascent and descent 
Terrain: sealed road and inside shrine complex 

This morning, you check out of your hotel after breakfast, and your 2026 Scenic Trains and Pilgrimage Walks of Shikoku, Japan, concludes.

You can take a domestic flight from nearby Matsuyama Airport to Haneda (Tokyo) or travel further by train. We highly recommend the bike ride on the Shimanami Kaido to the mainland if you are a keen cyclist.

If you’d like to linger in Japan a little longer, we would be delighted to plan your personal post-tour extension to show you a different part of Japan. Please see our Side Tours on our Private Tour page for inspiration.

Note: The cost of your transfer to your departure airport is not included in this tour, as we found many guests choose to travel further to other parts of Japan. However, we would be happy to arrange your transfer to your next destination or your departing airport.