From temple 88 to temple 1: closing the loop
Closing the loop
On the island of Shikoku, the pilgrimage forms a circle. Walkers following the circuit in order (“jun-uchi”) complete their journey at temple 88 Ōkubo-ji. According to the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Association, Ōkubo-ji is the sacred place marking the completion of the pilgrimage (結願, kechigan), halfway up the eastern slope of Mount Yahazu (788 m), near the border with Tokushima Prefecture. The pilgrim walking staff (kongōzue) that accompanied the traveler is traditionally deposited at the Hōjōdō hall, next to the Daishidō.
After stage 88, some pilgrims choose to return to the starting point (“uchi-modori”, 打ち戻り) to complete the circle at temple 1 Ryōzen-ji. The 88 Temple Pilgrimage Association describes Ryōzen-ji as the “temple of the initial vow” (発願の寺, hatsugan no tera) for pilgrims walking in numerical order.
This return journey is in the nature of a thanksgiving visit (“o-rei mairi”, お礼参り). The 88 Temple Pilgrimage Association notes that o-rei mairi consists of returning to pray after having received blessings, without strict obligation. For the Shikoku pilgrimage, walking the pilgrimage again when one has the means serves as a thanksgiving visit. Everyone is therefore free to end at Ōkubo-ji or return to the start, as explained on Where to start the Shikoku pilgrimage, and how to get there.
On foot
The direct walk from temple 88 to temple 1 totals 40.7 km, with about 930 m of cumulative ascent and a high point at 464 m of elevation (The trail stage by stage).
There is also an inland route from temple 88 to temple 10 Kirihata-ji: the official brochure Awanavi (Tokushima tourism, PDF) provides a map of it. It passes through the hamlet of Inuhaka (犬墓, “the dog's grave”), “between Kirihata-ji and Ōkubo-ji in Kagawa.” According to the legend recounted in the brochure, Kōbō Daishi's dog died there while protecting him from a wild boar, and the master made a grave for it; local residents still care for the small Inuhaka Daishidō shrine every day.
To spend the night on the way (Shikoku pilgrimage: where to stay), the Sanuki Tourism Office lists:
- Minshuku Yasokubo: located at the bottom of the access ramp to temple 88 Ōkubo-ji.
- Ryokan Takeyashiki: in the Asan Mountains, offering a garden and pilgrim hospitality packages.
- Guesthouse Nagaoji: located in the immediate vicinity of temple 87 Nagao-ji.
By bus and train
The Sanuki community bus stop is located along the approach to temple 88 Ōkubo-ji. The Shido-Zōda-Tawa line (志度・造田・多和線) offers few departures per day (schedules on the page for temple 88).
According to Sanuki's web pages on the Shido-Zōda-Tawa line and its fares:
- No reservations are required.
- It is the only municipal line operating on weekends and holidays (except runs 4 and 5).
- Adult fare of ¥200 on weekdays (¥100 for children) and ¥500 on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and New Year period (Dec 29 - Jan 3).
The bus connects to JR Shido and Zōda stations (JR Kōtoku Line); in Shido, Kotoden station is about a 2-minute walk from the JR station. The JR train then leads to Bandō Station (板東), with a transfer at Ikenotani depending on the train, followed by about 15 minutes on foot to temple 1 (JR Shikoku).
What next?
Mount Kōya
The 88 Temple Pilgrimage Association encourages pilgrims, if time permits, to travel to Mount Kōya (高野山) to report to Kōbō Daishi that the pilgrimage has been safely completed and to give thanks. Shingon tradition holds that the master rests in continuous meditation in the Okunoin. The official website of Kōyasan Kongōbu-ji notes that the o-rei mairi for the 88 temples takes place at the Okunoin, where the calligraphed stamp (goshuin) is affixed.
Access from Shikoku:
- Nankai Ferry connection from Tokushima to Wakayama (¥2,500 one-way for an adult foot passenger off-peak, according to Nankai Ferry fares).
- Nankai train to Gokurakubashi Station, then cable car up to Kōyasan (Kōyasan access).
Certificates and recognition
At temple 88 Ōkubo-ji, pilgrims can receive the pilgrimage completion certificate (結願証, kechigan-shō) at the pilgrims' office.
According to Kagawa Prefecture on the Ohenro Kōryū Salon in Sanuki, this center founded in 1999 houses an exhibition hall and issues an official pilgrimage ambassador certificate (お遍路大使任命書) to pilgrims.
Information verified on 11/05/2026; schedules and prices are subject to change.