Shikoku Pilgrimage by Car in One Day: Temples 1–10 Model Course

Quick answer: Start at Temple 1, Ryozenji at 8:00, when the stamp offices open, and drive the ten temples in order. The driving adds up to only about 1.5 hours (about 31 km), so with 20–30 minutes at each temple you’ll finish at Temple 10, Kirihataji by mid-afternoon — before the 17:00 stamp deadline. Parking is free or donation-based at all ten. Break for lunch with a bowl of local tarai udon.

The first ten temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage sit close together on the flat land north of the Yoshino River in Tokushima. By car, they make an easy, rewarding day — a real taste of the pilgrimage even if you’ll never walk all 88. I live in Tokushima. I haven’t done the pilgrimage itself, but I’d tell any visitor the same thing: Temples 1 to 10 fit comfortably into one day by car.

For the background — what the pilgrimage is, what to wear and how to pray — read Starting the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima first. This page is the practical day plan.

The plan at a glance

Drive times are approximate, between temple car parks.

Before you start

• Stamp offices are open 8:00–17:00. A stamp in your book costs ¥500 per temple. Ten temples = ¥5,000, so bring coins and small notes.
• Gear: you can visit in normal clothes. If you’d like the full look, Monzen Ichibangai, the shop in front of Temple 1 (open 7:00–17:00), sells pilgrim gear and rents a set with a short guided experience (about ¥1,650).
• Getting there: Temple 1 is a few minutes from Itano IC on the Takamatsu Expressway, and about two hours from Osaka by car. If you’re coming from Kansai, consider staying in Naruto or Tokushima the night before. See How to Get to Tokushima.
• Car: a small rental car is easiest on the narrow lanes between temples. See Renting a Car in Shikoku.

Morning: Temples 1–5

8:00 — Temple 1, Ryozenji (Naruto). The traditional starting point. Large free car park. Pray at the Main Hall and the Daishi Hall, then get your first stamp. If you’re buying a stamp book, do it here.

Temple 2, Gokurakuji. About five minutes away. Look for the Choju-sugi, a sacred cedar said to be about 1,200 years old and around 31 m tall. Free parking.

Temple 3, Konsenji. About 10 minutes on, close to Itano IC. Free parking.

Temple 4, Dainichiji. About 15 minutes, towards the foothills. Free parking.

Temple 5, Jizoji. About 10 minutes. Behind the main temple is the Okunoin, a hall lined with wooden Rakan (arhat) statues — originally 500, around 200 survived a fire in 1915. Entry is about ¥300, and it’s worth it.

Lunch

You’ll be near the Donari area at lunchtime. This part of Tokushima is known for tarai udon — thick noodles served in a wooden tub with a rich dipping broth. Kanegin Sakano, about five minutes from Donari IC, is a well-known place for it (closed Thursdays), and the roadside station at Donari is another easy stop. A bowl of Tokushima ramen works just as well. See What to Eat in Tokushima.

Afternoon: Temples 6–10

Temple 6, Anrakuji (Kamiita). Known for its large temple lodging (shukubo) with a natural hot spring. If you want to turn your day into an overnight, this is the place to stay.

Temple 7, Jurakuji. Just five minutes away.

Temple 8, Kumadaniji. Its Nio gate, guarded by two fierce statues, is one of the largest in Shikoku — about 12 m tall. The temple asks for a donation for parking.

Temple 9, Horinji. A small temple in the fields. Pilgrims leave straw sandals at the Main Hall as a prayer for healthy legs, and you can buy sandal charms.

Temple 10, Kirihataji. The finale — and the only real workout of the day. From the car park, climb 333 steps to the Main Hall. At the top, the Great Pagoda (a National Important Cultural Property) and a wide view over the Yoshino River plain make it worth every step. The car park at the foot of the hill holds about 20 cars, and large vehicles can’t get in.

Aim to arrive by 16:00 so you have time for the climb and the stamp before 17:00.

Timing tips

• Allow 20–30 minutes per temple for praying, the stamp and a short look around. Some temples, like Jizoji with its Rakan hall, deserve more.
• If you’re running late, go to the stamp office first (tell the staff why), then pray.
• Spring and autumn weekends are busy; stamp offices can have queues. Start on time.

Want to keep going?

Temple 11 (Fujiidera) is a short drive from Temple 10, but the walk from 11 to 12 is the hardest mountain section of the whole Tokushima route. Most day-trippers stop at 10. Stay at Anrakuji (Temple 6) or in Tokushima City and continue another day.

FAQ

Do I need to dress as a pilgrim?
No. Many visitors come in everyday clothes and just carry a stamp book.

Can I do Temples 1–10 by public transport?
Partly, but buses are infrequent. A car is much easier for a one-day visit.

Is parking free?
At most of the ten, yes. Temple 8 asks for a donation.

Kaz

Tokushima local with family roots in Hiroshima

I live in Tokushima and my family is from Hiroshima, where I also used to live. I still go back several times a year. The guides here come from places I have actually been. Where I haven't tried something myself, I say so.