John Lander, long-time resident of Japan, author and photographer, shares his evocative images of temples from the Shikoku Pilgrimage trail and provide fascinating details about the origin of the trail and what the pilgrimage means to the thousands who undertake it every year.  

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The Shikoku Pilgrimage on the island of the same name is one of the few circular pilgrimages in the world. At 1,200 kilometers in length, the trail includes 88 temples and passes through diverse countryside such as idyllic bamboo groves, deserted beaches and ordinary Japanese neighborhoods. There is a long tradition of pilgrimage in Japan, dating back at least to the time of the renowned monk, poet and philosopher Kobo Daishi (774-825) who is particularly associated with this trail.

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