Iyo Pilgrimage Route

A pilgrimage circuit visiting 88 temples scattered across Shikoku island. With approximately 1,200 years of history, it honors Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism. The full circuit spans about 1,400 kilometers. Tens of thousands of pilgrims walk the route annually, seeking spiritual enlightenment and salvation.

Pilgrimage to Ise Grand Shrine became a massive popular phenomenon in the Edo period with the saying 'once in a lifetime, visit Ise.' Including the Okagehyokocho street food culture and famous Akafuku mochi, it remains a spiritual travel touchstone for Japanese people today.

A sacred site of mountain worship comprising Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. With over 1,400 years of history as a training ground for Shugendo asceticism, the mountain monks in white robes and their austere practices preserve Japan's mountain ascetic traditions.

One of Japan's oldest pilgrimage circuits, visiting 33 Kannon sacred sites mainly across the Kinki region. Said to have been established in 718, it is known alongside the Shikoku Pilgrimage as one of Japan's two great pilgrimage routes. It was designated a Japan Heritage in 2019.

Japan's oldest pilgrimage route visiting 33 Kannon temples across Kansai. Designated as Japan Heritage in 2019, it has gained popularity among young people alongside the goshuin stamp boom.

A successful anime pilgrimage case as the setting of 'Girls und Panzer.' Character panels line shopping streets, making it a model case of anime tourism revitalizing regional economies.

The setting of anime 'Anohana.' Chichibu's nature and townscape attract fans as one of the earliest successful anime pilgrimage cases.