The Shikoku pilgrimage is a way of pilgrimage at the 88 temple in Shikoku. The pilgrimage way across Tokushima,Kochi,Ehime and Kagawa is called "henro". Pilgrims is called "o-henro-san".
Although the long pilgrimage way which amounts to 1200 km in full length was traveled on foot at past,recently most of pilgrims visit by the car or bus.
四国八十八ケ所は、1200年前に高名な仏僧の空海が歩いた道をたどる巡礼の道です。仏教への信仰心から巡礼を行う人も多い一方で、最近では旅行者も多く、外国人の巡礼者も増えています。
上の写真は一番札所(一番目の寺)の霊山寺です。1番から23番が徳島県、24番から39番が高知県、40番から65番が愛媛県、67番から88番が香川県にあります。(66番は徳島県)
巡礼は1番から順番に訪れる必要はなく、好きなところから訪問しても問題ありません。全行程を歩くと1ヶ月以上かかり、車でも1週間以上かかるため、一度の旅ですべて訪問する必要はなく、何回かに分けて訪問しても問題ありません。また、88番札所から逆回りしても問題ありません。
The Shikoku pilgrimage is a way of the pilgrimage which follows the way along which Kuukai, the famous Buddhist priest, walked 1200 years ago.
While there are many people who start a pilgrimage for the worships to Buddhism,there are many traveller and foreigner is also increasing.
The upper photograph is Ryozen-ji,which is the first temple in 88 temples.
From No.1 to No.23 temple is in Tokushima Prefecture, and from No.24 to No.39 is in Kochi Prefecture,and from No.40 to No.65 is in Ehime Prefecture,and from No.67 to No.88 is in Kagawa Prefecture. (No.66 is at Tokushima Prefecture)
You don't have to start the pilgrimage from No.1 temple. It is OK to start from any temple.
Because the pilgrimage way takes one month or more on foot,and even one week or more by car,you don't have to visit all at once. It is OK to divide for several route and several time.
Moreover, you don't have to visit in order from No.1 to No.88. It is OK even to visit in reverse from No.88.
巡礼者は上の写真のような巡礼用の衣装を着ます。これらの巡礼グッズは霊山寺で購入することができます。もちろん、着たくなければ着る必要はありません。実際、普段着の巡礼者のほうが多いです。
まずは気軽にいくつかの寺院を訪問してみることをおすすめします。部分的にでも巡礼の雰囲気を味わうことができます。
A pilgrim wears clothes for a pilgrimage like the upper photo. These pilgrimage goods can be purchased in Ryozen-ji. Of course, if you do not want to wear, it is not necessary to wear. Most of pilgrims actually wears everyday cloths.
We recommend you to visit some temples casually at first. The feeling of a pilgrimage can be experienced.
写真は霊山寺です。
These photos are Ryozen-ji. It is very exotic!
