Since 1980, I have been involved with the famous Japanese Buddhist pilgrimage known as the Shikoku Henro. This 700 mile (1138 km) walking route, is the classic Japanese pilgrimage. In the past, only Japanese walked this route. Now, like with the Camino Santiago in Spain, the number of locals is decreasing but the number of foreigners is increasing. As this trend continues, the pilgrimage will change. I want to make sure this change happens in the best way, best for the pilgrims and best for the people of Shikoku.

I have done the pilgrimage six times, mostly on foot. I have talked with hundreds of pilgrims, priests, and others about the pilgrimage. Recently I have been deeply involved with supporting pilgrims who want to learn about and experience the pilgrimage. I am one of the most active people in the online pilgrimage community and have also written about it in newspapers and magazines, inside and outside Japan. My book, Echoes of Incense (available on Kindle), was one of the first published in English on this pilgrimage (1994).

In 2026 I am going to visit all the temples and many of the inns to talk about the pilgrimage, what it means to foreigners, and how the pilgrimage infrastructure and support network can help these new pilgrims.

In order to have maximum impact, I am going to walk the pilgrimage in the traditional way. To make sure I have time to talk with the priests and others at length and in depth, I will take 100 days instead of the usual 45-50 days. I will walk for 50 days in the spring and 50 days in the fall.

Doing the pilgrimage this way is expensive. To accomplish all of this, I need your help. No matter the amount you can give, it will help bring this message of hope to the pilgrimage and to Shikoku. It will also prepare the pilgrimage for the thousands of foreigners who are seeking out this life-changing experience.

You will find more details about this project here .