In 2016, I completed the 1,400km Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路) in Japan, visiting all 88 temples associated with the revered Buddhist monk and scholar Kōbō Daishi (弘法大師).
During my 50+ days following the trail, walking around the sparsely inhabited island of Shikoku, I experienced daily acts of kindness from the locals. I also wrote a daily journal on my blog and photographed some of the timeless, beautiful landscapes to be found there.
Journal
Day 0: Ohenro-san
Day 1: Ryōzen-ji
Day 2: The Walk Begins
Day 3: Generosity
Day 4: Hear the Wind Sing
Day 5: Nagoro Ghost Village
Day 6: Children’s Day
Day 7: Osettai
Day 8: Kamo-michi Trail
Day 9: Asa Gongyou
Day 10: Route 55 Rain
Day 11: Gorogoro-ishi
Day 12: Cape Muroto
Day 13: Beach Camping
Day 14: Iokidō Cave
Day 15: Sun, Sand and Concrete
Day 16: Tataki
Day 17: Kōchi Castle
Day 18: Solar Farming
Day 19: Kokumin-shukusha Tosa
Day 20: Yokonami Peninsula
Day 21: The Tin Man
Day 22: Shikoku-no-michi Trail
Day 23: Anpanman
Day 24: Cape Ashizuri
Day 25: Bamboo Rocks
Day 26: The Long Way Round
Day 27: Crouching Tiger, Drowned Rat
Day 28: Naka-michi
Day 29: Manganji
Day 30: The Present Moment
Day 31: Garyu Sanso
Day 32: Uchiko
Day 33: Iwaya-ji
Day 34: Downhill Stretch
Day 35: Matsuyama
Day 36: An Unexpected Surprise
Day 37: Windswept Imabari
Day 38: Kyōmyōji
Day 39: Far Over The Misty Mountains
Day 40: High Times
Day 41: Edge of the Clouds
Day 42: Heatwave
Day 43: Temple Run
Day 44: Marugame
Day 45: Goshikidai Hut
Day 46: Takamatsu
Day 47: The Final Countdown
Day 48: Ōkubo-ji
Day 49: Return to Ryōzen-ji
Day 52: Kōya-san
Epilogue
Photo book
I have collated 100 of my favourite images into a book that hopefully captures some of the essence of what makes Shikoku so special—and possibly inspires you to take a pilgrimage of your own!
The 92-page book is printed on premium-quality paper (25×20 cm) with a hint of gloss. Blurb prints and distributes it, and it can be posted almost anywhere.