Frequently Asked Questions | Ohenro Gift Service

About the Service

What exactly does this service include?

Simply put, Ohenro Gift Service is a service that combines a proxy pilgrimage in Shikoku with online live streaming.
The concept is to walk the pilgrimage on behalf of someone important to you and deliver the journey, memories, and experience as a meaningful gift.
Rather than simply acting as a proxy, this service is designed specifically to offer the pilgrimage as a gift.
For more details, please see here.

Who actually walks the pilgrimage? Do they have qualifications or experience?

The person who actually walks the pilgrimage is the site operator himself, Hajime.
He personally handles everything from planning and operations to walking the route on site and preparing the reports.
While he does not hold any formal qualifications, he does have prior pilgrimage experience.
You can view his profile here.

Is there anything about this service that may not suit certain religious beliefs or denominations?

In principle, anyone may use this service regardless of denomination or personal faith.
Ohenro Gift Service is not intended to encourage conversion to any particular faith or sect. What matters most to us is helping fulfill the wish of someone who wanted to go on the pilgrimage by walking it on their behalf.

Can I request this service even if the person has already passed away?

Yes. Even if the person has already passed away, you may request this service as a memorial offering.
In that case, we can carry a photograph or a small cherished item belonging to the deceased as part of our “Pilgrimage with Cherished Keepsakes” service.
* Available with the Standard Plan or above only.

Can you walk only part of the route, or visit only selected temples?

That may be possible depending on the section requested, especially if you are looking for at least half of the route, covering 44 temples.
Please feel free to contact us and let us know which section you have in mind.

Will this bring spiritual blessings?

We cannot promise any specific spiritual benefits.
The pilgrimage is, at its core, an act of faith and prayer, and for that reason we cannot guarantee results such as “you will receive blessings” or “this will definitely happen.”
Whether blessings are felt or not may differ depending on one’s faith and perspective, though we cannot rule out the possibility that something beyond what can be seen may take place.

This isn’t a scam, is it?

That concern is completely understandable. This is a high-value service, so it is only natural to wonder, “What if I send the money and never hear back?” “Will the pilgrimage really be walked?” or “Will everything actually be done properly?”
However, this service is absolutely not a scam. We provide it responsibly and with care.
If you have any concerns, we encourage you to start with a free consultation and take your time deciding whether the service feels right for you.

Pricing & Payment

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept payment by bank transfer / Paypal / credit card / ApplePay / GooglePay.
Accepted credit cards are VISA, MasterCard, JCB, Discover, and American Express.

Is installment payment available?

Yes, installment payment may be possible. You may use your credit card’s installment option, or apply for the Light Plan in two separate stages.

Do you offer a refund guarantee?

Yes, we do offer a refund guarantee. If the pilgrimage cannot be carried out due to circumstances on our side, a full refund will be issued.
Please check the refund conditions here.

If the service cannot be completed, will I really receive a full refund?

Yes. If we are unable to complete the pilgrimage due to our own circumstances or judgment, the full service fee will be refunded.
For example, this would apply if illness or other trouble on the operator’s side prevents the originally planned section from being completed and it is also determined that rescheduling is not feasible.

If multiple family members, such as siblings or relatives, want to share the cost, can the invoice be divided?

Yes. If discussed in advance, it may be possible to divide the invoice to a certain extent.
In principle, we ask that one person be designated as the primary contract holder, and the full invoice is normally issued to that person. However, if arranged beforehand, we may also be able to:
• issue separate invoices under the names of individual siblings
• divide the billing between two people, such as Person A and Person B
Since there is only one bank account for payment, we ask that your family decide in advance who will cover which amount, and let us know your preferred billing method when you apply.
Please note that the service cannot be provided until all payments have been completed.

Isn’t the price a little high?

We understand that it may seem expensive at first, but undertaking the pilgrimage itself involves considerable cost.
Even by car or motorcycle, completing the route typically costs around $2,000 USD.
For a walking pilgrimage, the general cost is closer to $3,500 USD.
It also requires a tremendous amount of time, so when all of that is taken into account, we believe the pricing is reasonable for what is being provided.

What are the rules for cancellations or schedule changes?

Cancellations made before application or before payment are free of charge. If you wish to cancel after payment has been made, the balance will be refunded after deducting a $50 USD administrative fee (tax excluded).
If any part of the service has already been provided after payment, the cancellation will no longer be eligible for a refund.
As for schedule changes, because the pilgrimage is carried out on fixed dates, changing the date usually means moving your booking to the next available session, which may be several months later.

Can I apply if I live outside Japan? How do payment and shipping work?

Yes, applications are welcome from customers living outside Japan.
Payment can be made either by bank transfer to a Japanese bank account, Paypal, credit card, ApplePay, GooglePay.
Delivery of items such as the nokyocho and souvenirs is included in the service fee if they are sent to family members within Japan. For international shipping, an additional fee will apply.

If I request souvenir shopping on my behalf, how are shipping and handling fees charged?

If you would like us to purchase souvenirs on your behalf, you will be responsible for:
• the cost of the items themselves (the actual amount paid)
• shipping to your home or another destination (actual cost)
• packing and handling fees, if applicable
In addition, when souvenir purchases are requested, we ask that a lump-sum amount be paid in advance, and purchases will be made within that budget.
※ Import duties or customs fees may apply to souvenir shipments. If you prefer to avoid them, we will not send the souvenirs.

Booking & Application

How far in advance should I apply?

As a general guideline, we recommend applying 1 to 2 months before the pilgrimage begins.
This gives enough time to prepare the streaming equipment, adjust the walking schedule and route, and secure accommodations, so contacting us early is recommended.

Can you accommodate urgent requests?

If you need the pilgrimage carried out during a specific period or on short notice, it may be possible through the optional “Custom Scheduling” add-on or under the Premium Plan. Please contact us first to discuss your request.
We will review the schedule and let you know whether it can be arranged.
However, for last-minute bookings, we may not always be able to accommodate your preferred timing.

If I only want to consult first, is there any consultation or quotation fee?

No. At Ohenro Gift Service, the initial consultation, hearing process, general plan proposal, and quotation are all free of charge.
Please feel free to get in touch.

Can I change my plan later?

It is possible to upgrade from the Light Plan to the Standard Plan, for example from a half-route pilgrimage to completion of the full pilgrimage, by paying the additional fee.
In practice, this means paying the Light Plan fee once again for the added portion.
However, changing from the Standard Plan to the Premium Plan, or downgrading a plan after booking, is not available.

Can I add options after booking or once the pilgrimage has already started?

Yes, depending on the type of option, this may be possible.
However, some options may be difficult to arrange once the pilgrimage has already begun, so please check with us in advance.

I do not need the live streaming and related services. Can you arrange only the completed nokyocho?

Yes, we can arrange a nokyocho-only service.
For a walking pilgrimage, delivery will follow the scheduled pilgrimage dates.
If you need it sooner, we may also be able to accommodate a faster option using transportation such as a car, motorcycle, cable car, or public transit.
Please start by contacting us through the free consultation form.

Schedule &
Pilgrimage Operations

How far and how long do you usually walk in a day?

As a general guide, the daily distance is around 15 to 25 km, which typically means about 6 to 8 hours of walking.
The actual pace and duration may vary from day to day depending on the route and weather conditions.

Can the pilgrimage still be carried out during risky seasons such as midsummer or midwinter?

In principle, we do not operate during high-risk periods such as midsummer or midwinter, when the danger of heatstroke or hypothermia is greater. However, if there are special circumstances and you strongly wish to request the service during those times, please contact us to discuss it.

If you call it a walking pilgrimage, will you actually use vehicles?

Absolutely not.
As proof that the route is genuinely being completed on foot, we stream the pilgrimage on video throughout the journey.

Online Viewing & Live Streaming

Can my parent still watch the online stream even if they are not comfortable with computers or smartphones?

Yes, absolutely.
Before the service begins, we provide support with device setup and explain how to watch the stream.

What if the signal becomes weak and the stream is interrupted while watching?

If that happens, we will upload the recorded footage to a shared video archive, so you can watch anything you missed later.

Is live streaming always included? What happens if I miss it?

Yes, live streaming is always provided while the pilgrimage is being carried out.（Japan time approximately 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM JST).
If you are unable to watch in real time due to your schedule or connection environment, we will share the video archive afterward, so there is no need to worry.

Can multiple family members watch together?

Yes. There is no limit to the number of family members who may watch together.
In most cases, we provide a streaming link or video URL that can be shared within the family, allowing people to watch together on a TV in the same room or separately on their own devices from different locations.

How long will videos and photos remain available for viewing?

At Ohenro Gift Service, we guarantee online access for one year as a general rule.
We provide a dedicated shared page, cloud album, or streaming archive URL, and during that period you may view the content as often as you like. Photos may also be downloaded.
We will do our best to preserve the data for as long as possible, but due to possible changes in the streaming system or storage limitations, we cannot guarantee permanent access beyond one year.

Options & Souvenirs

With “Real-Time Conversation & Shopping,” how much conversation and shopping is actually possible?

Real-time conversation is generally available at any time during the live pilgrimage stream.
(It is intended to take place during breaks or while walking in safe locations.)
For shopping, please think of it as choosing souvenirs at roadside shops, gift stores, or local stations along the route.
Items purchased will be sent to your home together at a later date.

If I request souvenir shopping on my behalf, how are shipping and handling fees charged?

If you would like us to purchase souvenirs on your behalf, you will be responsible for:
• the cost of the items themselves (the actual amount paid)
• shipping to your home or another destination (actual cost)
• packing and handling fees, if applicable
In addition, when souvenir purchases are requested, we ask that a lump-sum amount be paid in advance, and purchases will be made within that budget.
※ Import duties or customs fees may apply to souvenir shipments. If you prefer to avoid them, we will not send the souvenirs.

What kind of information is included in the PDF report?

The PDF report includes detailed information such as the temple numbers visited, walking distance, route taken, and time required.
We can also show you a sample during the free consultation and explain the report in more detail, so please feel free to ask.

For “Pilgrimage with Cherished Keepsakes,” is there any guarantee against loss or damage to the photos or items I send?

We handle all entrusted photos and personal items with the greatest possible care and do our best to prevent any loss or damage throughout the pilgrimage period.
However, we cannot provide a guarantee against loss or damage caused by accidents or force majeure during the pilgrimage.
For that reason, we ask that you avoid sending irreplaceable one-of-a-kind items or valuables. Instead, we recommend:
• copies or duplicates for photographs
• items that can be replaced if necessary

Support & Communication

Can you create a dedicated LINE group or shared page for each family?

Yes, absolutely.
We will create a dedicated LINE group for each family (or use another chat tool if preferred), where we can share progress updates, notices, and streaming links.

How often will questions sent by chat be answered?

As a general rule, chat questions will be answered a few times per day, typically around two to three times.
Since walking and temple visits take priority during the pilgrimage, it may not always be possible to respond immediately in real time. In some cases, replies may be sent together during a break or after arriving at the accommodation for the day.

Can you respond to messages late at night or early in the morning?

In general, our communication hours are during the daytime through evening, typically around 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM（Japan Time: UTC+9）.
Because rest is also necessary in preparation for the next day’s pilgrimage, we generally do not reply to late-night messages and instead respond the following day.