A Marathon a Day: Shin Tanaka’s Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage
The Shikoku Pilgrimage in Japan is not so famous as The Kumano Kodo. Today Shin will relate to us his experience hiking the longer 88 themples version.
Shin trained for months, building up to 50 km walking days and carrying heavy packs. As a teacher with long summer breaks, he planned his route carefully to merge physical challenge with deep cultural immersion. The Shikoku pilgrimage gave him exactly that – and more.
An Epic Japanese Pilgrimage
The Camino de Santiago might be the most famous pilgrimage, but for Shin Tanaka, Japan’s Shikoku Henro – an 88-temple loop honoring Buddhist monk Kōbō Daishi – offered the challenge he craved. He decided to take it to the extreme, combining the traditional loop with a harder 20-temple route, covering over 2,000 km in just 39 days.
Walking in Solitude and Tradition
Unlike the busy Camino, Shikoku’s trails often left Shin walking entire days without meeting another pilgrim. His nights alternated between family-run guesthouses with home-cooked meals and simple shelters under the stars. Each temple brought a moment of reflection and a unique calligraphic seal for his pilgrimage book, marking both progress and devotion.
Beyond the Finish Line
Finishing the pilgrimage didn’t mean the end for Shin – it was just another step in a lifetime of endurance adventures. With plans to cycle Japan’s entire 12,000 km coastline, he’s proof that the pilgrim spirit thrives far beyond one journey.
Shin is a Japanese long-distance walker and endurance adventurer who pushes physical limits while immersing himself in cultural traditions.