Japan has a rich tradition of long-distance pilgrimage and walking routes, from the Shikoku 88-temple circuit to the Nakasendo post road and the Kumano Kodo ancient pilgrimage paths. These routes combine physical challenge with spiritual geography, passing through mountain villages, historic post towns, cedar forests, and coastal scenery that no other mode of transport reveals. This guide covers Japan’s major long-distance walking routes and how to approach them.
Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage
The Ohenro-san pilgrimage circuit visiting the 88 temples associated with the monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) on Shikoku Island is Japan’s most celebrated long-distance walk. The full circuit covers approximately 1,200 kilometres and takes 30-60 days on foot. Pilgrims (henro) wear distinctive white jackets and conical sedge hats and are traditionally provided hospitality (osettai) by local people. The circuit can be walked in sections; the mountainous central portion from temples 38-60 is the most physically demanding. Stamp books (noyocho) are collected at each temple as a record of the journey.
Kumano Kodo, Wakayama
The Kumano Kodo is a UNESCO World Heritage network of pilgrimage trails converging on the three Grand Shrines of Kumano in the Kii Peninsula. The Nakahechi route — the most popular and best-preserved — can be walked in three to four days from Tanabe to Hongu Taisha. Stone-paved paths through cedar forests, overnight stays at minshuku in remote mountain villages, and increasingly good English-language signage make this accessible to international walkers. The trail shares UNESCO listing with Santiago de Compostela in Spain — pilgrims completing both routes receive a dual completion certificate.
Nakasendo: Edo Period Post Road
The Nakasendo was one of five major highways connecting Edo (Tokyo) with Kyoto during the Edo period. The preserved 8-kilometre section between the post towns of Magome and Tsumago in the Kiso Valley is Japan’s most walked historical trail — stone-paved, cedar-lined, and largely free of vehicles. The full Nakasendo stretches 534 kilometres from Tokyo to Kyoto; walking the entire historic route takes three to four weeks. Most walkers focus on the Kiso Valley section and combine it with overnight stays in the beautifully preserved machiya of Narai, Tsumago, or Magome.
Tohoku’s Michinoku Coastal Trail
The Michinoku Coastal Trail runs 1,000 kilometres along the Pacific coast of Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima — the coastline devastated by the 2011 tsunami. The trail was created as part of the region’s recovery and passes through rebuilt fishing towns, dramatic ria coastline, pine forests, and memorial sites. Infrastructure remains developing; unlike Shikoku and Kumano Kodo, facilities are more sparse and navigation requires preparation. Walking sections of this trail is a way to engage directly with Tohoku’s remarkable recovery and its exceptional coastal scenery.
Planning a Long-Distance Walk
- Luggage forwarding: Yamato Transport’s takkyubin (door-to-door delivery) service allows walkers to forward heavy bags between accommodation stops, dramatically reducing daily pack weight on routes with lodging infrastructure.
- Accommodation booking: On the Shikoku circuit and Kumano Kodo, minshuku and shukubo fill in peak spring and autumn seasons. Book 2-4 weeks ahead for these periods.
- Weather: The Kii Peninsula and Shikoku both receive very high annual rainfall. Waterproof gear is essential. Check forecasts carefully before entering mountain sections.
- Apps and maps: Yamareco, Komoot, and the Kumano Travel website provide GPS routes for major trails. Download maps offline before entering remote areas with patchy signal.