Shikoku Pilgrimage Costs & Calculator (UPDATED 2022)

Cost Calculator and Budget Sheet

Get started with our free cost calculator and budgeting tools (last updated with 2022 prices).

Basic Questions

When will you begin your pilgrimage?

RequiredMany hotels and inns increase their prices during the “busy” seasons of Spring and Autumn.When is the best time for the Shikoku Pilgrimage?
Spring 🌸Mar - May
Summer 🌧️Jun - Aug
Autumn 🍂Sep - Nov
Winter ❄️Dec - Feb

For about how many days will you be on pilgrimage?

RequiredIt takes a walking pilgrim an average of 45 days to visit all 88 temples on foot. This translates to roughly 32km (20mi) of walking per day.If you plan on visiting bekkaku temples or doing the pilgrimage in reverse, plan for a few more days.
days
Please select a season.

How to Budget for the Shikoku Pilgrimage

The amount each pilgrim spends on their journey can vary greatly. Here are a few significant considerations:

  • Will you walk, bike, drive, hire a taxi, or do the pilgrimage by bus?
  • For how many days will you be on pilgrimage? How many kilometers will you go per day?
  • How often will you camp out or stay at free lodgings?
  • Quality of food: Will you eat often at minshuku or ryokan? Will you buy food from the convenience store?
  • What pilgrim gear will you buy?
  • How much will you spend at temples? Will you make donations and collect pilgrim stamps?
  • Will you buy cellular or data service instead of relying on maps and telephone booths?
  • Will you travel to points of interest or buy souvenirs along the way?
  • What are your ATM fees and currency conversion rates when you withdraw cash?

Expense Estimates by Category

Lodging

Per day without meals
lodging icon
Minshuku, ryokan, temple lodgingBefore meal charges
¥3500 - ¥8500
Hotels
¥3000 - ¥8000
Hostels & guesthouses
¥2000 - ¥4500
ZenkonyadoDonation-based or low-cost housing for pilgrims
¥200 - ¥1200
Tsuyado & outdoor options
N/A

Food

Per meal
food icon
Japanese Inn upgrade: dinner & breakfast
¥1200 - ¥3000
Japanese Inn upgrade: dinner only
¥1000 - ¥2000
Japanese Inn upgrade: breakfast only
¥600 - ¥1500
Washoku ryoriFull-course Japanese meal
¥1000 - ¥3000
Restaurant meals
¥400 - ¥1800
Convenience or grocery store bento (lunchbox)
¥400 - ¥900
Convenience or grocery store onigiri (rice ball)
¥100 - ¥180
Vending machinesPer drink average
¥100 - ¥300

Temples

Temples often sell some pilgrim items listed below
temples icon
Stamp (nōkyō) in a stamp bookPrice per stamp at each of the main and/or bekkaku temples
¥300 - ¥500
Stamp (nōkyō) on the back of a hakui (white pilgrim top/jacket)Price per stamp at each of the main and/or bekkaku temples
¥200
Stamp (nōkyō) on a hanging scrollPrice per stamp at each of the main and/or bekkaku temples
¥500
Monetary offeringsOptional at each temple
¥10 - ¥500

Pilgrim Clothing & Supplies

Bundle discounts available

Items

pilgrim Items icon
Shikoku Pilgrimage GuidebookRecommendedMap-based guide with detailed routes and pins along the pilgrimage
¥1600
NokyochoRecommendedA stamp book to collect stamps at each temple
¥1600 - ¥3500
Miei collection bookA book with pocket slots to hold miei (paper slips with images of the temple’s main deity), collected at each temple
¥1500 - ¥2000
KeihonRecommendedBook of Heart Sutra and other mantras used to recite/chant at each temple
¥600 - ¥780
OsamefudaRecommendedName slips (pack of 200)
¥200
KongōtsueRecommendedPilgrim walking stick
¥1500 - ¥2500
Candles (to burn at temples)Price per box of 60
¥250
Incense (to burn at temples)Price per box of 150
¥360
JuzuRosary
¥1500+

Clothing

Sugegasa - largeRecommendedConical sedge hat
¥2000 - ¥3000
Sugegasa - smallConical sedge hat
¥1200 - ¥1500
Sugegasa rain coverRecommended
¥500 - ¥800
Hakui - with sleevesRecommendedWhite pilgrim top/jacket
¥2000 - ¥3500
Hakui - sleevelessWhite pilgrim top/jacket
¥1800 - ¥3650
White pilgrim pants
¥2000 - ¥3000
Pilgrim gaiters or spats
¥800 - ¥2000

Accessories

FudabasamiSmall pilgrim bag
¥1500 - ¥3800
Walking staff replacement cover
¥300 - ¥500
WagesaCotton or silk scarf
¥1500 - ¥3000
JireiBell
¥300 - ¥2000

Wifi & Cellular Service

Per 30 days
telecom icon
SIM card with cellular & data services
¥10000 - ¥40000
SIM card with data only
¥6000 - ¥30000
Pocket wifiUseful when you have both a laptop and smartphone
¥9000 - ¥35000

Other Expenses

other icon
Public baths/Hot springsEntry fee per adult
¥300 - ¥1800
LaundryPrice per washer & dryer usage. Average frequency is ~one laundry load every 2-4 days
¥100 - ¥450
Aiplane tickets & transportation
N/A
Pharmacy, medical products, toiletries
N/A
Power bankTo recharge your phones and electronic devices on the go
N/A
Batteries, extra SD cards
N/A
Travel health insurance
N/A
ATM fees & currency conversion fees
N/A
Souvenirs
N/A

ATMs & Cards

Credit Cards

Credit cards won’t get you very far in Japan - many businesses don’t accept them as payment. Some convenience stores will accept credit cards, but only for purchases over a certain amount.

Auran profile
Auran

Every minshuku and ryokan I stayed at only accepted cash. People in Japan are accustomed to carrying around larger amounts of cash than most Americans, Europeans, or other Asians. I started the pilgrimage carrying about ¥80,000 (worth about $780 USD at the time) and an international ATM card, then withdrew cash whenever I began to run out at post office ATMs.

ATMs and ATM Fees

Most of the pilgrimage path is rural and suburban, so ATMs can be hard to come by. Luckily, ATMs at 7-11s and post offices are able to process foreign bank and debit cards!

An ATM at a convenience store in Japan

Restrictions and fees can vary widely depending on the ATM being used and the origin bank account where your funds are located. 7-11, for example, limits withdrawals to ¥100,000 each day. If you’d prefer to withdraw funds at post offices, you can check online to see if they will accept your card. But be forewarned: just because a post office worked for other foreigners does not mean it will work for you.

Auran profile
Auran

My card only works at ATMs that accept UnionPay, so most of the convenience stores I came across in Japan did not work for me. You will also have to check with your bank to see how much you can withdraw each day. Most modern ATMs in Japan can display English as well as other common languages.

Traveler’s Checks

Cashing traveler’s checks in Shikoku is not very practical. While bigger banks in cities will probably be able to cash them, smaller banks probably won’t (which make up the majority of branches in Shikoku).