The Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路, Shikoku Henro) or Shikoku Junrei (四国巡礼) is a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) on the island of Shikoku, Japan. A popular and distinctive feature of the island's cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims, known as henro (遍路), still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic, pious, and tourism-related purposes.^[1] The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles, or motorcycles, and often augment their travels with public transportation. The standard walking course is approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete.

In addition to the 88 "official" temples of the pilgrimage, there are 20 bekkaku (別格) temples, which are officially associated with the Shikoku Pilgrimage (and hundreds more bangai (番外) temples, simply meaning "outside the numbers," which are not considered part of the official 88).^[2][3] To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order; in some cases, pilgrims complete the journey in reverse, a practice known as gyaku-uchi (逆うち).^[4]

Henro (遍路) is the Japanese word for pilgrim,^[5] and the locals along the route address the pilgrims as o-henro-san (お遍路さん). They are often recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and kongō-zue or walking sticks. Alms or osettai (お接待) are frequently given to pilgrims by Shikoku's residents.

Before reaching Temple 88, walking and bicycle pilgrims can receive a "Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage Henro Ambassador" certificate from the Maeyama Ohenro Koryu Salon. At Temple 88, one can purchase a pilgrimage completion certificate called a kechi-gan-shō (結願証), meaning "fulfillment of one's wishes."^[6] Many pilgrims also begin and complete the journey by visiting Mount Kōya in Wakayama Prefecture, which was settled by Kūkai and remains the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism. The 21 kilometres (13 mi) walking trail up to Kōya-san still exists, but most pilgrims use the train.^{[citation needed]}

Since 2010, Shikoku's prefectural governments, NPO members, and local leaders have worked toward achieving UNESCO World Heritage status for the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Currently, it is recognized as a "Provisional Candidate" by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, or a cultural asset which has not yet been added to Japan's World Heritage Tentative List but which should 'proceed with preparations.'^[14]

Attesting to the popularity of the Shikoku pilgrimage, from the eighteenth century a number of smaller imitative versions have been established.^[7] These include a 150 kilometres (93 mi) circuit on Shōdo Island northeast of Takamatsu;^[15] a 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) course on the grounds of Ninna-ji in Kyoto;^[16] a route on the Chita Peninsula near Nagoya;^[17] and circuits in Edo and Chiba Prefecture.^[7] Outside Japan, another version is on the Hawai'ian island of Kaua'i.^[18]

Collectively, the 88 temples are known as Shikoku Hachijūhakkasho (四国八十八箇所).

• Shingon
• Kōyasan
• Japan 100 Kannon, pilgrimage composed of the Saigoku, Bandō and Chichibu pilgrimages.
  • Saigoku 33 Kannon, pilgrimage in the Kansai region.
  • Bandō 33 Kannon, pilgrimage in the Kantō region.
  • Chichibu 34 Kannon, pilgrimage in Saitama Prefecture.
• Musashino Kannon Pilgrimage, pilgrimage in Tokyo and Saitama prefectures.
• Chūgoku 33 Kannon, pilgrimage in the Chūgoku region.
• Kannon
• Buddhism in Japan
• Tourism in Japan
• For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.