How Much Does the Ohenro Pilgrimage Cost? Walking, Car & Taxi Budgets Compared for 2026

If that sounds like you, you’re definitely not alone.

The cost of the Ohenro pilgrimage can vary by tens of thousands of yen depending on how you travel, how many days you take, and whether you do it all at once or in stages. That’s exactly why understanding the big picture first is so important.

In this article, we cover:

How Much Does the Ohenro Pilgrimage Cost? Comparing Budgets by Travel Method

The short answer: Ohenro costs range from about ¥150,000 to over ¥1,000,000 depending on how you travel. Walking runs ¥200,000–¥400,000, car/motorcycle ¥150,000–¥300,000, and taxi pilgrimage ¥500,000–¥1,000,000.

Take a look at the comparison table below first.

The same 88-temple journey — and yet the cost difference is enormous. For most people, this is the first real surprise when researching Ohenro.

Let’s break down each option in more detail.

Walking Pilgrimage: Around ¥200,000–¥400,000 — Budget Breakdown for 1,200km

The walking pilgrimage covers roughly 1,200km across the four prefectures of Shikoku — the most traditional form of Ohenro. Average completion time is 45 to 60 days. Even for fit walkers, expect to cover 20–30km per day.

Here’s a typical cost breakdown for a 40-day journey:

The total typically falls in the ¥200,000–¥400,000 range. Staying mainly at henro lodges and guesthouses keeps you toward the lower end; business hotels push toward the top. Mixing in zenkonsyuku (free pilgrim lodges offered by locals) or wild camping can reduce costs further.

Car / Motorcycle Pilgrimage: ¥150,000–¥300,000 — The Most Cost-Effective Option

Driving or riding your own vehicle is widely considered the best value way to complete the Ohenro. It takes 10–14 days — a fraction of walking time — and is the most popular approach among working adults.

Here’s an estimated breakdown for a 12-day motorcycle journey (similar to my own trip):

Total lands around ¥150,000–¥300,000. With fewer days on the road, food and accommodation costs are drastically lower than walking.

That said, mountain roads and narrow lanes can be genuinely exhausting — and that’s my honest take from experience. Routes approaching temples like Shozanji and Yokomineji have some particularly narrow stretches that may unsettle drivers who aren’t used to mountain driving.

Taxi Pilgrimage: ¥500,000–¥1,000,000 — The Reality Behind the Comfort

Hiring a dedicated taxi for the pilgrimage — known as taxi henro — is most popular among older pilgrims and those who want to minimize physical strain. No driving required, and some packages even include a guide well-versed in the sacred sites.

The comfort comes at a significant price, however.

Total typically comes to ¥500,000–¥1,000,000. If you travel alone the cost is high, but sharing with up to 4 passengers splits the taxi fare — some couples or siblings bring the per-person cost down to ¥200,000 or less. Group bookings are common for exactly this reason.

If you’re considering a guided bus tour, our Ohenro Tour Comparison Guide covers the differences in detail.

How Do Costs Change Between Complete and Stage Pilgrimages? Choose What Fits Your Life

There are two main approaches to completing the Ohenro: doing it all at once (“通し打ち” — complete pilgrimage) or breaking it into multiple trips (“区切り打ち” — stage pilgrimage). The choice affects your budget more than you might expect.

The Cost of Completing It All at Once

With the complete pilgrimage, you only need to travel to Shikoku once. From Osaka, for example, a round trip runs about ¥10,000–¥20,000. By consolidating your travel, you keep the overall budget tight.

The challenge for working adults is the reality of taking 40+ consecutive days off — for most people, that’s the single biggest obstacle.

The Cost of Stage Pilgrimage

The stage approach typically divides the circuit into four sections — the four “dojos” of Tokushima, Kochi, Ehime, and Kagawa — with each section taking about a week. It’s manageable alongside a regular life, though return travel costs accumulate with each trip.

For example, many pilgrims start with Tokushima (the Awakening Dojo), then return for Kochi (the Training Dojo), and so on — finishing at their own pace, sometimes over several years. The flexibility is the main appeal.

Total comes to around ¥350,000–¥500,000 — higher than the complete approach, largely due to repeated return travel. Think of it as paying a little more in exchange for spreading the commitment over time.

For a detailed look at how days compare across methods, see our How Long Does the Ohenro Take? guide.

Fixed Costs Every Pilgrim Faces: Temple Stamps, Attire & Accommodation Explained

Regardless of how you travel, some costs are unavoidable on the Ohenro. Here’s a closer look at the three essentials.

Temple Stamp Fees (Revised April 2024) — ¥44,000 Total

The temple stamp fee (nokyoryo) is what you pay at each temple to receive the calligraphy and red seal in your stamp book. The fees were revised on April 1, 2024, and now stand as follows:

The fee for the stamp book rose from ¥300 to ¥500 — an increase of roughly 67% from before the revision. Many older blog posts and guidebooks still show the old price, so always check you’re working from the 2024 figure.

Temple stamp fee revision effective April 1, 2024: stamp book ¥500, hanging scroll ¥700, white robe ¥300, repeat stamp ¥300.
Shikoku Pilgrimage Association (official site)

Pilgrim Attire — Around ¥30,000 for the Full Set

A complete set of Ohenro attire includes:

A full set typically costs ¥25,000–¥30,000. For car pilgrimages or short stage trips, some pilgrims begin with just a white robe and stamp book.

Accommodation & Meals — Budget ¥6,000–¥12,000 Per Day

Accommodation breaks down into four main types:

For meals, budget around ¥1,500–¥2,500 per day. Pilgrim lodges and temple lodgings typically include dinner and breakfast, so you mainly need to account for lunch separately.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohenro Costs — Common Budget Questions Answered

What’s the cheapest way to complete the Ohenro?

The most budget-friendly approach is walking, combined with zenkonsyuku (free pilgrim lodges) and occasional wild camping. With enough cost-cutting, it’s possible to complete the circuit for as little as ¥100,000–¥150,000. However, this requires physical endurance, experience, and a respectful attitude toward the locals who open their homes — it’s not an approach recommended for first-timers.

Can the Ohenro be done for under ¥300,000?

Absolutely — by car or motorcycle, completing the circuit for under ¥300,000 is very achievable. Focus on pilgrim lodges over hotels, eat at local udon restaurants and roadside rest stops, and keep your attire to the essentials. Many pilgrims finish in the ¥200,000 range with a bit of planning.

Why were the temple stamp fees revised in 2024?

According to the Shikoku Pilgrimage Association, the revision reflects rising costs for temple maintenance and upkeep. The fees had been unchanged for over 40 years before the April 2024 revision raised the stamp book fee from ¥300 to ¥500 per temple. For the most up-to-date figures, check the Shikoku Pilgrimage Association’s official website.

Is a stage pilgrimage more expensive than completing it all at once?

Generally, yes — the stage pilgrimage does cost more in total, because round-trip travel to Shikoku is added each time you return. That said, the stage approach keeps each individual trip affordable and is far more realistic for people who can’t take a month off at once. If budget is the priority, a single complete circuit wins. If flexibility matters more, stages are the way to go.

Summing Up Ohenro Costs — Choosing Wisely and Exploring Every Option

To bring it all together, Ohenro costs vary significantly depending on your method and schedule.

If you looked at those numbers and felt the barrier was high — that’s a completely understandable reaction. The Ohenro asks for all three things at once: time, physical endurance, and money. When even one of those is hard to come by, the whole plan can start to feel out of reach.

One of the most common things we hear is: “I want to give my elderly parent the experience of the Ohenro, but they can no longer manage it physically.” And for many working adults, taking a month off to accompany them simply isn’t an option either.

That “neither of us can do it” feeling is exactly what so many families come to us with.

The cost is a little higher than going alone, since a dedicated staff member walks the full route on your behalf. But what you receive — a real stamp book, photographs from each of the 88 temples, and the full walking record — is something that stays with a family for years.

Questions about pricing, what the service includes, or whether it’s appropriate from a religious standpoint — ask us anything. A consultation is always free, with no obligation to proceed.

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