- 2022.12.22
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Bite-size ohenro with a one-day pilgrimage in Kochi City
If you check in regularly with us (thank you!), you’re probably familiar with the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage (also called ohenro). One of the best-known things about the entire Shikoku region, it refers to the 88 sacred sites connected to the revered Buddhist monk Kukai. It can take a month or even longer to complete the entire journey through all four prefectures in Shikoku, covering more than 1200 kilometers on foot. While it would be an unforgettable experience, not many of us can take the time for such an epic journey, and that's okay! There are no rules about the order and timing of visiting temples, and it is perfectly fine to break up the route into small chunks to fit your schedule.
This time we want to introduce a route covering three temples located within convenient reach of Kochi City, making for an ideal day trip: Chikurin-ji, Zenjibu-ji, and Sekkei-ji. This self-guided tour will probably take most people between 5.5 to 6.5 hours to complete, but you can absolutely follow your own pace! The route takes you on quiet streets with minimal traffic to enhance your walking experience. For added fun, we have some suggestions for optional activities en route, too.
Commence your journey from the Harimayabashi stop in downtown Kochi City and travel by bus to Chikurin-ji. This temple is known for its vermillion five-storied pagoda and beautiful traditional Japanese garden, as well as opportunities to practice meditation and other Buddhist training. After enjoying the delights at Chikurin-ji, it’s on to Zenjibu-ji, which was founded by Kukai to ensure the safety of ships. Zenjibu-ji is located atop a small hill, offering a stunning view of the ocean. If time allows, consider taking a short detour to the nearby studio Tochi, where even beginners can enjoy the art of glass-blowing and make a one-of-a-kind souvenir!
From Zenjibu-ji, continue your journey by walking to the port town of Tanezaki and catching a ferry for a short ride over to Nagahama Port. On the way to Sekkei-ji, you might want to enjoy a refreshing sake tasting at Suigei Store (at their Nagahama branch), which is Kochi City's only brewery. Walk on to the third and final temple of the day, Sekkei-ji. This has the unusual distinction of being only one of three Zen temples on the entire Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Finally, from there, take a bus or taxi back to the starting point at Harimayabashi. Otsukaresama—great work!
You don’t need any special equipment for your day out, but we suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes and carrying water to stay hydrated, and of course having your phone or camera to capture all the memories you’ll make along the way.
Check out the downloadable map of this one-day itinerary and more helpful information here: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/activities/10478
This time we want to introduce a route covering three temples located within convenient reach of Kochi City, making for an ideal day trip: Chikurin-ji, Zenjibu-ji, and Sekkei-ji. This self-guided tour will probably take most people between 5.5 to 6.5 hours to complete, but you can absolutely follow your own pace! The route takes you on quiet streets with minimal traffic to enhance your walking experience. For added fun, we have some suggestions for optional activities en route, too.
Commence your journey from the Harimayabashi stop in downtown Kochi City and travel by bus to Chikurin-ji. This temple is known for its vermillion five-storied pagoda and beautiful traditional Japanese garden, as well as opportunities to practice meditation and other Buddhist training. After enjoying the delights at Chikurin-ji, it’s on to Zenjibu-ji, which was founded by Kukai to ensure the safety of ships. Zenjibu-ji is located atop a small hill, offering a stunning view of the ocean. If time allows, consider taking a short detour to the nearby studio Tochi, where even beginners can enjoy the art of glass-blowing and make a one-of-a-kind souvenir!
From Zenjibu-ji, continue your journey by walking to the port town of Tanezaki and catching a ferry for a short ride over to Nagahama Port. On the way to Sekkei-ji, you might want to enjoy a refreshing sake tasting at Suigei Store (at their Nagahama branch), which is Kochi City's only brewery. Walk on to the third and final temple of the day, Sekkei-ji. This has the unusual distinction of being only one of three Zen temples on the entire Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Finally, from there, take a bus or taxi back to the starting point at Harimayabashi. Otsukaresama—great work!
You don’t need any special equipment for your day out, but we suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes and carrying water to stay hydrated, and of course having your phone or camera to capture all the memories you’ll make along the way.
Check out the downloadable map of this one-day itinerary and more helpful information here: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/activities/10478
