Don’t worry \u2014 your hands will find their way naturally! Let’s start by gathering the right tools.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
N\u014dky\u014d-ch\u014d (Stamp Book)<\/h4>\n
The n\u014dky\u014d-ch\u014d is where you collect the sacred seals at each temple<\/span> and becomes your Ohenro record.<\/p>\nBooks designed for the Shikoku Eighty-Eight Temples come with temple numbers already printed, which is super convenient. Reference price: \u00a52,000\u20133,500. The stamp fee is \u00a5500 per temple (updated 2024), totaling \u00a544,000 for all 88 temples<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\nOsamefuda (Name Slips)<\/h4>\n
You leave one slip at each temple’s main hall and one at the Kobo Daishi hall<\/span>, so you’ll need at least 176 for all 88 temples.<\/p>\nWrite your name, address, and intention ahead of time for smooth worship. A bundle of 100 costs just \u00a5100\u2013200, so grab two bundles to be safe.<\/p>\n
Juzu (Prayer Beads)<\/h4>\n
Worn in hand during worship, a simple one-handed string of beads (nyohitsu)<\/span> works fine regardless of Buddhist sect.<\/p>\nReference price: \u00a51,000\u20133,000. If you already own prayer beads, you can reuse them.<\/p>\n
Ky\u014dhon (Sutra Book)<\/h4>\n
This book contains the sutras you’ll recite in the main and Kobo Daishi halls, including the Heart Sutra, opening hymn, and the temple’s main mantra<\/span>.<\/p>\nReference price: \u00a5300\u20131,000. You may feel overwhelmed reading at first, but most pilgrims naturally memorize key passages after visiting multiple temples.<\/p>\n
Candles<\/h4>\n
You light one candle in each of two offering lanterns<\/span>, so that’s two per temple.<\/p>\nYou’ll need 176 total for all 88 temples, but shops along the route sell them, so starting with 1\u20132 boxes (\u00a5200\u2013500) is enough.<\/p>\n
Incense<\/h4>\n
The custom is to place 3 sticks in the incense burner at each hall<\/span>, representing the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.<\/p>\nYou’ll use about 528 sticks total (6 per temple \u00d7 88 temples). Like candles, you can replenish along the way, so starting with a few boxes (\u00a5200\u2013500) is fine.<\/p>\n
Lighter<\/h4>\n
Essential for lighting candles and incense.<\/p>\n
Matches blow out too easily<\/span>, so a windproof turbo lighter<\/span> is best. At \u00a5100\u2013300 each, bring two for peace of mind.<\/p>\n