Settai

Settai (接待) or more politely o-settai in Shikoku means “hospitality”. It refers to the spontaneous gifts and hospitality that pilgrims receive along the trail of the 88 temples.

This is a venerable centuries-old tradition from an era when shops and vending machines did not exist. Pilgrims were deeply grateful for this assistance.

Gifts can take many forms: bottled water, fruit, snacks, souvenirs, or even overnight lodging. Sometimes a pilgrim is given small coins to buy food or drink.