Walk Japan has launched its latest immersive walking tour: the “Shikoku: Kochi & Ehime Discovery.” The new walking tour is a fully guided, seven-day tour exploring two of Japan’s most beautiful but remote prefectures.
Shikoku has been considered a sacred island for over 1,000 years and is famed for its 745-mile, 88-temple Ohenro pilgrimage, the feature of Walk Japan’s “Shikoku Temple Pilgrimage” tour. The “Shikoku: Kochi & Ehime Discovery” also includes the theme of pilgrimage with visits to Chikurin-ji, the 31st Ohenro temple, and a little-known 7.5-mile mini-pilgrimage set in a valley. It also explores old mountain routes including one that was once vital in transporting sea salt, a precious commodity, to remote communities. Another trail, the Dappan-no-Michi, follows in the daring footsteps of Sakamoto Ryoma, a Japanese hero renowned for his exploits at the end of the samurai-dominated Edo Period (1603-1868) when under pain of death he escaped from his clan from Kochi via Ehime.
Other highlights include Yusuhara, a mountain town, where a cluster of buildings designed by architect Kuma Kengo is found; Ozu, a castle town featuring the Garyu Sanso, a Japanese masterpiece of garden, villa and teahouse; and local culinary delicacies.
The “Shikoku: Kochi & Ehime Discovery” is a seven-day, six-night, fully guided walking tour for up to 12 participants commencing in Kochi City and concluding in Matsuyama’s Dogo Onsen. Daily walking ranges from five to eight miles along mountain trails and quiet country lanes. A Level 4 tour, it is suitable for anyone who leads a reasonably active lifestyle. Prices start from $2,660 based on double occupancy.
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