\nBus tour (split)<\/td>\n 3\u20136 trips \u00d7 2\u20133 days each \/ 6\u201318 days total<\/td>\n Those who can’t take extended time off<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\nWalking takes over a month; by car, it’s about 10 days. There’s a 4 to 6-fold difference in duration<\/strong> \u2014 yet both lead to the same destination: all 88 temples.<\/p>\n\n
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Visitor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n40 days just to walk it? I can’t take that much time off \u2014 and I’m not sure I’m physically up for it either…<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Hajime<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHere’s the thing \u2014 walking pilgrims actually make up only about
10% of all Ohenro participants<\/span>. The other 90% use cars, taxis, or bus tours and complete the circuit in a much shorter time!<\/div>\n<\/div>\nIn the sections ahead, we’ll go deeper into how long each method actually takes \u2014 and how to figure out which one works for you.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>How Many Days for a Full Circuit? 40 Days on Foot or 10 Days by Car \u2014 The Reality<\/span><\/h2>\nThis section looks at the specific durations for each transportation method when doing a full circuit (Toshiuchi). Read through and imagine which option feels closest to your situation.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Walking: 40\u201360 Days Is the Real Range<\/span><\/h3>\nWalking the full 88-temple circuit takes approximately 45\u201355 days<\/strong> for most pilgrims. Faster walkers finish in the low 40s; those taking a more relaxed pace may take up to 60 days.<\/p>\nThe average daily distance is around 20\u201330 km. Hilly terrain, mountain paths, and the location of temples relative to guesthouses mean some days might end at 15 km while others stretch past 35 km.<\/p>\n
The total walking distance of the Ohenro \u2014 roughly 1,200 km \u2014 is comparable to the straight-line distance from Tokyo to Fukuoka. Walking the entire route means covering that on foot.<\/div>\n
<\/span>By Car: Complete It in Around 10 Days<\/span><\/h3>\nDriving your own car cuts the journey to just 9\u201312 days<\/strong>. The typical pace is 7\u201310 temples per day, starting early in the morning and continuing through the afternoon.<\/p>\nThe great advantage of driving is flexibility \u2014 you can linger at temples that feel meaningful and move quickly through others. You’re on your own schedule.<\/p>\n
That said, the roads in Shikoku include narrow mountain passes and limited parking, which can be stressful. For older drivers or those not comfortable with long daily drives, it can be physically taxing.<\/div>\n
<\/span>Charter Taxi: The Most Relaxed Full Circuit in 8\u201311 Days<\/span><\/h3>\nChartering a jumbo taxi or minibus for the full circuit typically takes 8\u201311 days<\/strong>. Drivers are often licensed Sendatsu (certified Ohenro guides), making it a reassuring option for first-time pilgrims.<\/p>\nThe cost is higher than driving yourself, but the key benefit is that driving, route planning, parking, and temple etiquette<\/span> are all handled for you.<\/p>\n<\/span>Comparing All Three Full Circuit Options<\/span><\/h3>\nHere’s how the three main full circuit methods compare across duration, effort, and cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nFactor<\/th>\n Walking<\/th>\n Private Car<\/th>\n Charter Taxi<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\nDuration<\/td>\n 40\u201360 days<\/td>\n 9\u201312 days<\/td>\n 8\u201311 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nDaily hours<\/td>\n 5:00 AM \u2013 5:00 PM<\/td>\n 7:00 AM \u2013 5:00 PM<\/td>\n 8:00 AM \u2013 4:00 PM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nPhysical strain<\/td>\n Very high<\/td>\n Moderate (driving fatigue)<\/td>\n Low<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nEstimated total cost<\/td>\n \u00a5300,000\u2013500,000 \u00a5150,000\u2013250,000 \u00a5600,000\u2013900,000 \nBest for<\/td>\n Those who want to walk every step<\/td>\n Those who want freedom and flexibility<\/td>\n Those who want a comfortable, guided completion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\nWalking appears most affordable on paper \u2014 but with 45\u201360 days of accommodation and meals, costs easily reach \u00a5300,000 or more. It’s not as economical as it might seem.<\/p>\n
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Hajime<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen I was riding through Shikoku, I saw walking pilgrims climbing the steep mountain trail between Temple 11 (Fujii-dera) and Temple 12 (Shosan-ji) in the rain \u2014 silently pushing forward.
The resolve it takes to walk 40+ days straight<\/span> is far beyond what most people imagine.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThat’s why many people who aspire to walk still end up choosing a car or taxi when it comes down to it \u2014 and that’s a perfectly reasonable choice.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>How Many Years Does a Split Pilgrimage Take? Planning Tips and How to Actually Finish<\/span><\/h2>\n
For those who can’t manage a full circuit, the split pilgrimage (Kiziuchi) is the practical path. This section covers the different ways to divide the journey, how long each approach typically takes, and how to actually make it to the finish.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Three Main Approaches to a Split Pilgrimage<\/span><\/h3>\nSplit pilgrimages fall into three broad patterns, each with a different timeline to completion.<\/p>\n
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Three Approaches to Splitting the Ohenro<\/div>\n
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\nPrefecture by prefecture (Ikkoku-mairi)<\/span>: Dividing the route into four sections by prefecture \u2014 completing in four separate trips<\/li>\nCustom split<\/span>: Dividing into 2, 3, 6, or more trips at whatever pace suits you<\/li>\nWeekend pilgrim style<\/span>: Visiting a handful of temples each weekend \u2014 completion in 1\u20133 years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe approach you choose affects both the total days required and how many years it takes to reach completion (Kechigan).<\/p>\n
<\/span>Estimated Schedule by Number of Splits<\/span><\/h3>\nHere’s a breakdown of common split formats. Many bus tour and taxi tour operators offer packages aligned with these patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nSplit Format<\/th>\n Days Per Trip<\/th>\n Total Days<\/th>\n Est. Time to Completion<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\n4-trip split (by prefecture)<\/td>\n 2\u20133 days<\/td>\n 8\u201312 days<\/td>\n Approx. 1 year (one trip per season)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n6-trip split<\/td>\n 2\u20133 days<\/td>\n 12\u201318 days<\/td>\n Approx. 1\u20132 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n10-trip split<\/td>\n 1\u20132 days<\/td>\n 10\u201320 days<\/td>\n Approx. 1\u20132 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n12-trip split (bus tour style)<\/td>\n Day trip \u2013 1 night\/2 days<\/td>\n 12\u201324 days<\/td>\n Approx. 1 year (monthly)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWeekend accumulation style<\/td>\n 1\u20132 days<\/td>\n 30\u201350 days<\/td>\n 2\u20133 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\nAn important point: even in a split pilgrimage, the total number of days is not that different from doing a full circuit. By any method other than walking, most people complete it in around 10\u201320 days total.<\/p>\n
<\/span>How to Stick With a Split Pilgrimage and Actually Finish<\/span><\/h3>\nThe most common reason people don’t finish a split pilgrimage is simply that “life gets in the way.” Those who do complete it tend to share certain habits.<\/p>\n
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\nSchedule the next trip before leaving the current one (block it on your calendar up to 3 months ahead)<\/li>\n Book a series with the same bus tour company to lock in dates automatically<\/li>\n Find a travel partner \u2014 mutual accountability makes a real difference<\/li>\n Stay flexible about order \u2014 go where you can, not strictly in sequence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n“Booking the next trip while you’re still on this one” is probably the single most effective habit. Without a fixed next date, everyday life will quietly push the pilgrimage aside<\/span> \u2014 that’s the hidden danger of a split pilgrimage.<\/p>\n\n
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Visitor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCan I really finish it over 2 years? I’m worried that once work gets busy, I’ll just give up halfway…<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Hajime<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSome pilgrims take
10 years or more<\/span> to complete it \u2014 and they still finish. What matters isn’t speed. It’s the intention to keep going.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span>The Season You Choose Affects Your Completion Rate<\/span><\/h3>\nFor a long-term split pilgrimage, when you go matters as much as how often. Shikoku’s climate varies significantly by region and season, and the right timing can make the difference between a great trip and a grueling one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nSeason<\/th>\n Climate<\/th>\n Best Sections<\/th>\n Recommended<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\nSpring (Mar\u2013May)<\/td>\n Cherry blossoms, mild temperatures<\/td>\n All prefectures comfortable<\/td>\n \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSummer (Jun\u2013Aug)<\/td>\n Rainy season + intense heat, heatstroke risk<\/td>\n Early morning\/evening only<\/td>\n \u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nAutumn (Sep\u2013Nov)<\/td>\n Cool, clear weather, fall foliage<\/td>\n Ideal across all sections<\/td>\n \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWinter (Dec\u2013Feb)<\/td>\n Snow and ice in mountain areas<\/td>\n Tokushima and Kochi flatlands only<\/td>\n \u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\nWalking pilgrims especially tend to concentrate in spring and autumn. Summer walking carries serious heatstroke risk, and winter mountain trails can be icy and dangerous. Choosing the right season<\/span> significantly improves your chances of completing the pilgrimage.<\/p>\nAmong those who’ve contacted us, one story stands out: a mother who spent 8 years completing the Ohenro \u2014 a little at a time, spring and autumn \u2014 finally receiving her Kechigan (completion). A split pilgrimage is a pilgrimage measured in life’s longer rhythms.<\/p>\n
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<\/span>Ohenro Days by Transportation \u2014 Walking, Car, Taxi, and Bus Tour Compared<\/span><\/h2>\nThis is the heart of the article. The answer to “how many days does the Ohenro take” comes down to how you travel.<\/strong> Here’s an honest side-by-side comparison of all four methods.<\/p>\n<\/span>All Four Methods Compared Across Key Factors<\/span><\/h3>\nBeyond just days, here are the factors that actually matter when choosing how to do the Ohenro.<\/p>\n\n