A Journey through the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage The Shikoku Henro, a renowned pilgrimage route on the island of Shikoku, encompasses 88 temples, where Kukai, the founder of Japan's Shingon school of Buddhism, is said to have undergone training in the 9th century. The entire route requires nearly 40 days for an average traveler by foot, but on this condensed journey, visit significant temples and scenic sites, including Zentsuji Temple, considered the birthplace of Kukai. The local community extends respect to those who walk the path, offering drinks and a place to rest, a custom deeply rooted in this region and known as "osettai." This experience was curated in collaboration with the Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs and inspired by the Japan Heritage Story #015 “Henro - A Spiritual Journey through Shikoku."