- 2024.01.15
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Ohenro Journals
Let the experience flow
“My fascination with the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage was the base reason for visiting Shikoku but it quickly became more, as I ventured deeper into the trail. As I heard from many write-ups, posts and blogs about the ohenro experience, it was best to approach it on a personal level. Meaning, approach it at your own pace, engagement and interest. Being an international hotelier (sales), I was drawn to the various styles of accommodations on offer. Then in terms of timing, I was not bound to walking 25 kilometers a day and collecting temple stamps (which some have playfully referred to as a stamp rally)!”
“My number one endearing point that touched my human spirit was osettai, which is the heartfelt sharing of a gift of encouragement and recognition, wherever you venture along the pilgrimage trail. Many locals had various ways of expressing osettai to pilgrims. A mandarin orange or beverage were the most common but also took on other forms like a lift at the end of the day in their personal car, inviting you into their home for a warm drink (coffee or tea) and a snack–even a bowl of noodles!!”
“As the osettai continued to flow, striking up ad-hoc conversations with locals along the way (as I am fortunate to have a good enough command of the Japanese language), I was able to feel the true spirit of the people of Shikoku combined with their pride of hospitality, culture and of course, food!! Therefore, my depth of experience was engaged each step along the way and particularly rewarding as I detoured off the trail.”
Ohenro tip
“The key is to take time as well as let the experience flow and guide you places for that extra night or two to truly experience what Shikoku has to offer…much more than just a temple visit or stamp rally!!”
“My sincere and parting advice is to purchase the ‘Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide’, as it has more useful information beyond the temple visits, including translation phrases, detailed maps with accommodations and contact numbers, elevation profiles of the trails, significant points of interest beyond but near each temple area and the walking routes between them, etc. This exhaustive guide was my absolute essential!!”
“Enjoy your own ohenro experience in Shikoku!”
Raymond Tait
Learn more about the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/henro
“My fascination with the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage was the base reason for visiting Shikoku but it quickly became more, as I ventured deeper into the trail. As I heard from many write-ups, posts and blogs about the ohenro experience, it was best to approach it on a personal level. Meaning, approach it at your own pace, engagement and interest. Being an international hotelier (sales), I was drawn to the various styles of accommodations on offer. Then in terms of timing, I was not bound to walking 25 kilometers a day and collecting temple stamps (which some have playfully referred to as a stamp rally)!”
“My number one endearing point that touched my human spirit was osettai, which is the heartfelt sharing of a gift of encouragement and recognition, wherever you venture along the pilgrimage trail. Many locals had various ways of expressing osettai to pilgrims. A mandarin orange or beverage were the most common but also took on other forms like a lift at the end of the day in their personal car, inviting you into their home for a warm drink (coffee or tea) and a snack–even a bowl of noodles!!”
“As the osettai continued to flow, striking up ad-hoc conversations with locals along the way (as I am fortunate to have a good enough command of the Japanese language), I was able to feel the true spirit of the people of Shikoku combined with their pride of hospitality, culture and of course, food!! Therefore, my depth of experience was engaged each step along the way and particularly rewarding as I detoured off the trail.”
Ohenro tip
“The key is to take time as well as let the experience flow and guide you places for that extra night or two to truly experience what Shikoku has to offer…much more than just a temple visit or stamp rally!!”
“My sincere and parting advice is to purchase the ‘Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide’, as it has more useful information beyond the temple visits, including translation phrases, detailed maps with accommodations and contact numbers, elevation profiles of the trails, significant points of interest beyond but near each temple area and the walking routes between them, etc. This exhaustive guide was my absolute essential!!”
“Enjoy your own ohenro experience in Shikoku!”
Raymond Tait
Learn more about the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/henro
