The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a living trek through the heart of rural Japan. As the cherry trees begin their annual bloom, we will walk under their white and pink blossoms through villages, rural roads, along terraced rice fields, and mountain trails through misty cedar forests. Our journey is the beginning stage of 23 temples of the legendary Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. This stage is known as the “Dojo of Awakening,” first of four spiritual stages of the entire route.
You will be part of the pilgrim tradition and human connection woven into the trail, with the choice to don a traditional white vest and hat that identifies pilgrims to locals who offer the ancient tradition of osettai, supportive snacks, hot tea, or warm smiles.
Sketching and taking notes along the way will deepen your experience by slowing down, noticing the light, color and textures and creating your own memory book, regardless of your experience with watercolor. Mini-van support throughout the trip will enable you to choose how much to walk.
Trip Highlights:
- Walking and sketching during the famous cherry blossom season on the first stage of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku Island.
- Learning about Japanese history, culture, and spirituality with our local guide Kōei, a fully qualified Buddhist priest
- Staying in authentic Temple Lodgings, traditional inns (Ryokan), and western style hotels with outstanding hospitality and Japanese food
- Soaking in Onsens and mineral-rich baths
- Watercolor sketching instruction and traditional indigo dyeing (Awa Ai) inside a beautifully restored samurai-era merchant townhouse neighborhood
- Mini bus support throughout our journey: You decide how much you want to walk.
Trip Overview:
Dates: Monday, April 5 – Thursday, April 15, 2027
*flights from north america must leave the day before arrival
Duration: 11 Days
Price: $6,000 double occupancy
Accommodations: A variety of Japanese style lodging: Temple Lodgings (Shukubo); traditional Ryokan and Western-Style Hotels. Note: Japanese style rooms include tatami flooring and comfy futons rolled out at night with comforter. They are lower than Western-style beds. We can make accommodations if this doesn’t work for you.
Arrive: Osaka, Japan on April 5 at 1 pm for welcome meeting
Depart: Osaka, Japan, any time on April 15
Guides: Brenda Porter and Koei Ervin
Maximum Group Size: 8 participants (co-ed possible, depending on double occupancy.)
Trip Highlights:
- Walking and sketching during the famous cherry blossom season on the first stage of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku Island.
- Learning about Japanese history, culture, and spirituality with our local guide Kōei, a fully qualified Buddhist priest
- Staying in authentic Temple Lodgings and traditional inns with outstanding hospitality and Japanese food
- Soaking in Onsens and mineral-rich baths
- Watercolor sketching instruction and traditional indigo dyeing (Awa Ai) inside a beautifully restored samurai-era merchant townhouse neighborhood
- Mini bus support throughout our journey: You decide how much you want to walk.
What’s Included:
- Ten nights lodging in double occupancy rooms
- All transportation during the trip
- Breakfast and dinner each day from April 6 to April 14
- Entrance to temples and sites visited as a group
- Guidance throughout the trip, including hiking support, as well as instruction and support in sketching, and watercolor techniques designed to help you capture the beauty and meaning of your journey
- A small journal, travel watercolor sketch kit with watercolors, pens, and water brush
- A wonderful experience of community and connection with a small, creative, adventurous group of fellow travelers
What’s Not Included:
- Round trip flights to Osaka and airport transfer to hotel
- Overnight accommodations enroute if necessary for your flight itinerary
- Medical expenses, or the required travel and trip cancellation insurance
- Personal Items: phone calls, souvenir shopping, laundry service
- Lunches and beverages
- Extra taxis or transit not included in the itinerary
- Massage or other spa treatments
- Optional tips for local guides, hotel and other service staff
- Optional donations to temples and stamps and pilgrim gear
- Anything you’re inspired to do that is not included in the itinerary
Our Guides:
Koei Ervin has 10 years of lived experience in Japan, including over 6 years of in-depth study and practice in Japan’s religious traditions, particularly Buddhism, Shugendō, and Shinto. He became a guide after experiencing firsthand how an understanding of Japan’s religious and cultural history can reveal deeper layers of meaning in even the simplest places. He aims to help travelers connect with Shikoku not just as a destination, but as a living spiritual landscape, and to support them in discovering a more meaningful and personal journey.
Brenda Porter has been using watercolor to document her travels and nature experiences for more than 25 years. An outdoor educator and adventure travel guide, Brenda’s passion is teaching others to look more closely and connect with places we visit through quick watercolor sketching. In addition to many hiking and multi-sport trips in the USA and around the world, Brenda has led multi-day Hike and Sketch trips and taught “en plein air” watercolor classes for REI. She is also a Native Plant Master, Leave No Trace Master, and is certified in Wilderness First Responder first aid.
ITINERARY – ARTSY WAY SHIKOKU PILGRIMAGE
Day 1: April 5 – Arrival in Osaka
- Meet at 1 pm for Welcome and intro to sketch kits and nearby sketching before dinner
- Lodging: Check in at Hotel Plaza Ōsaka (Osaka, Osaka).
Day 2: April 6 — Osaka – Tokoshima
After meeting our local guide, Koei, we take our bus over massive suspension bridges spanning the ocean, to the island of Shikoku and Tokushima City. Cherry trees and barley fields line our walk today which is mostly on pavement, sidewalks, and village paths. The bus will meet us throughout the day, (and all days) allowing each of us to skip ahead to the next temple, stop and paint more or walk the entire way.
- Walking Metrics: up to 10.5 miles | Elevation gain: +390 feet | Elevation loss: -280 feet
- The Temples:
- Temple 1 (Ryōzen-ji): The official starting point of the 88-temple circuit. It features a prominent two-story pagoda, a serene carp pond with beautiful reflections, and a traditional shop where pilgrims can get outfitted in white vests and straw hats.
- Temple 2 (Gokuraku-ji): Meaning “Perfect Bliss,” this temple features a beautiful red main hall and a massive, ancient cedar tree rumored to have been planted by Kōbō Daishi to grant safe childbirth.
- Temple 3 (Konsen-ji): The “Temple of the Golden Spring,” known for its striking red wooden pagoda nestled in countryside greenery. Legend states Kōbō Daishi struck the ground here to bring forth a well of life-giving water during a drought.
- Temple 4 (Dainichi-ji): A serene, forested temple hidden in a quiet valley, famous for its long, peaceful corridor lined with historical, hand-carved Buddhist statues.
- Temple 5 (Jizō-ji): Home to an expansive, historic wooden hall housing hundreds of small, unique statues representing the deity Jizō, the protector of travelers.
- Temple 6 (Anraku-ji): Legend says Kōbō Daishi discovered healing hot springs here and carved the image of Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha) to enshrine in the hall. The temple grounds are heavily decorated with contemporary guardian deity sculptures.
- Lodging Western style hotel: Business Hotel Access Awa
Day 3: April 7 — Rural Valley Walk
- Walking & Terrain Description: Continue walking westward through the flat floodplain of the Yoshino River Valley with spring colors and paved lanes The terrain stays flat to the first three temples, until the final stretch, where you leave the valley floor and start up a staircase of 333 steps built directly into the hillside to the last temple.
- Walking Metrics: 7.5 miles | Elevation gain: +781 feet | Elevation loss: -30 feet
- The Temples & Sketcher’s Focus: This day offers classic Japanese pastoral landscapes—open fields of green tobacco and rice stalks set against blue mountain backdrops and cherry trees.
- Temple 7 (Jūraku-ji): Built on raised ground to withstand the valley’s historic floods, this temple features a rare, double-roofed gateway and a specialized sub-shrine dedicated to healing physical ailments.
- Temple 8 (Kumadani-ji): Tucked away at the base of the northern foothills, it features one of the most structurally grand, beautifully weathered, multi-tier wooden gates on the entire island.
- Temple 9 (Hōrin-ji): Set uniquely among flat fields, this peaceful temple is highly unusual for housing a rare, reclining Buddha statue rather than a seated one.
- Temple 10 (Kirihata-ji): Situated high on a ridge, reaching this temple requires climbing the famous 333-step staircase, which leads to an impressive two-tiered pagoda. Sketch Idea: The reward at the top is a sweeping, panoramic view of the wide river valley below—perfect for an expansive horizon landscape sketch.
- Lodging Western style hotel: Business Hotel Access Awa
Day 4: April 8 — Cultural Traditions & Mountainside Meditation
Instead of walking, today we travel by vehicle up to Hashikura-ji Temple for a mountainside meditation. This sprawling, atmospheric complex is steeped in local folklore and serves as a major center for esoteric rituals. We will have a sketch session for the morning mountain mist among the mossy stone lanterns and steep steps.
Then we will experience a hands-on Tokushima Indigo Dyeing workshop, working directly with natural fermentation vats. Witnessing the liquid shift from an iridescent bronze-green to deep “Japan Blue” as it oxidizes in the air is perfect inspiration for our watercolor group.
- Lodging: Paysage Moriguchi. This boutique hotel in Wakimachi preserves a historic, samurai-era streetscape, perfect for sketching the famous Udatsu—decorative earthen fire-walls on the roofs adorned with stylized family crests and protective gargoyle tiles.
Day 5: April 9 — The Great Mountain Challenge
We head to the mountains today on a rugged, steep trail with tangled roots, and mossy stone tracks. You can choose to walk or drive to either one or both of the temples.
Walking Metrics: up to 7.2 miles | Elevation gain: +3,688 feet | Elevation loss: -1,407 feet.
- The Temples & Sketcher’s Focus:
- Temple 11 (Fujii-dera): Meaning “Wisteria-well Temple,” this is a peaceful Zen Buddhist sanctuary sitting calmly at the absolute foot of the mountain range. Before the climb, look up inside the main hall to see the giant, fierce dragon painted across the ceiling and notice the gnarled wisteria trees.
- Temple 12 (Shōsan-ji): Known as “Burnt Mountain Temple,” this highly sacred site sits nestled near a high mountain peak and holds deep historic ties to mountain asceticism (Shugendō). Reaching this temple feels like stepping into an ink-wash painting. The grounds are dominated by titanic, mist-shrouded cedar trees that dwarf the temple structures. The play of light filtering through the massive trunks onto stone lanterns is spectacular.
- Lodging: Kamiyama Hot Spring.
Day 6: April 10 — Suburbs and Living History
- Walking & Terrain Description: A flat, easy walk on asphalt through residential backstreets and quiet neighborhoods. This day moves at a slower pace, giving you plenty of opportunities to pull out your sketchbook and capture details of modern and traditional Japanese suburban life—quaint gardens, uniquely shaped rooftops, and small neighborhood shrines.
- Walking Metrics: 5.0 miles | Elevation gain: +141 feet | Elevation loss: -197 feet
- The Temples & Sketcher’s Focus:
- Temple 13 (Dainichi-ji): Positioned directly across from a local Shinto shrine, showcasing the historic blending of Japan’s native and Buddhist religions.
- Temple 14 (Jōraku-ji): Built atop a fascinating, uneven natural rock formation known as the “Disappearing Rock Garden. The entire courtyard has an otherworldly stone texture. It provides an excellent study in rendering harsh, chaotic stone textures contrasting with smooth temple wood.
- Temple 15 (Awa Kokubun-ji): Part of a historic network of state-established temples dating back to the 8th century, featuring a beautifully manicured Zen gravel garden.
- Temple 16 (Kan’on-ji): A compact temple tucked seamlessly into a quiet residential neighborhood, known for housing historic paintings depicting the paths of Buddhist heavens and hells.
- Temple 17 (Idō-ji): The “Well-Digger Temple,” famous for a sacred stone well where Kōbō Daishi allegedly dug out clear water overnight using his staff. Sketch the historic, dark wooden pavilion housing the sacred stone well.
- Lodging: Matsumoto-ya, a traditional pilgrim inn with an authentic, homely aesthetic.
Day 7: April 11 — The Path to the Sacred River: Temples 18 to 19
- Walking Metrics: 2.8 miles | Elevation gain: +138 feet | Elevation loss: -364 feet
- Walking & Terrain Description: A short, relaxing walk through rolling green foothills, bamboo groves, and small family orchard lands.
- The Temples & Sketcher’s Focus: Because the walking distance is short, today is your designated “long-paint” day.
- Temple 18 (Onzan-ji): “Incarnation Mountain Temple,” situated on a beautifully wooded knoll. Historically, this was the exact geographical point where women were finally permitted to enter the sacred mountain paths. Dappled sunlight filtering through the dense bamboo groves onto the forest floor is a perfect watercolor subject.
- Temple 19 (Tatsue-ji): Historically regarded as one of the most critical “checkpoint” temples of the pilgrimage, where travelers with impure hearts are said to experience spiritual obstacles.
- Lodging: Sleep inside the historic Tatsue-ji Shukubō temple lodging.
Day 8: April 12 — The Double Peak Ascent: T20 to T21
- Walking Metrics: 3.5 miles | Elevation gain: +1,437 feet | Elevation loss: -1,404 feet
- Walking & Terrain Description: A physically intense mountain trail consisting of a steep forest climb, a steep descent into a deep river valley, and a rocky scramble up the next ridge.
- The Temples & Sketcher’s Focus:
- Temple 20 (Kakurin-ji): Named “Crane Woods Temple,” this sacred sanctuary sits atop a high forested ridge. Its gates are flanked by stone crane statues guarding an exceptionally quiet, mossy courtyard. Sketch the graceful stone crane statues guarding the heavily mossed, silent mountain courtyard.
- Temple 21 (Tairyū-ji): Known as the “West Koya” mountain temple, it sits hidden dramatically on an isolated peak surrounded by giant old-growth trees. This temple offers dramatic cliffside views. Walk the short trail to Kōbō Daishi’s meditation spot—a statue sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast sea of rolling mountains, perfect for capturing deep atmospheric perspective and gradient valley blues.
- Lodging: Western Style hotel in Takushima
Day 9: April 13 — The Gate of Healing & Tidal Whirlpools
A steady downhill valley walk following mountain streams through logging villages, transitioning into coastal farmlands.
- Walking Metrics: 6.7 miles | Elevation gain: +748 feet | Elevation loss: -755 feet
- The Temples & Sketcher’s Focus:
- Temple 22 (Byōdō-ji): The “Temple of Equality,” featuring an inviting courtyard and a vibrant main altar where people traditionally pray for equal spiritual salvation.
- Temple 23 (Yakuō-ji): The final temple of Tokushima prefecture, internationally renowned as a premier destination for warding off bad luck (yakuyoke). Pilgrims traditionally climb its hillside stairs while leaving small coin offerings on each step. The bright red and white pagoda sits high on the hillside against a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The contrast of the vivid structure against the deep blue sea is incredibly striking.
- Lodging: Western Style hotel in Takushima
- Day 10: April 14 — Return to Osaka
Our final day in Takushima prefecture, we may visit a traditional theater, museum or sketch the Naruto Whirlpools before our private transfer back to Osaka for our final celebration dinner.
- Lodging Hotel Plaza Ōsaka.
- Day 11: April 15 —Departure
Depart any time. Breakfast included.
Payment Schedule
Registration Deposit Deadline: $500 nonrefundable to secure your trip
November 25, 2026: $3000 (Note, you can also pay for the entire trip fee at one time)
January 30, 2027: $2500
Cancellations and Refunds: The initial $500 USD non-refundable deposit will be forfeited in all cases, 24 hours after registration. If you need to cancel between December 1, 2026 and January 30, 2027, the first payment of $3000 will be refunded. Any cancellation made on or after January 31, 2027 will result in a total loss of all monies received and there will be no refunds. Exceptions to this cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including personal emergencies. If you need to cancel, travel insurance will provide your only option for recouping your investment in the trip.
Click here Sign up today! Please send Brenda a text (303-908-3662) or email (brendacporter@gmail.com) if you want to sign up or need more information about the trip.
Watercolor Sketching on the Trip
There is a flexible progression of art instruction catered to people’s experience with watercolor, sketching, and drawing, combined with your needs while traveling.
My overarching goal is for you to observe your journey more closely, noticing details, colors, and light variations in new and deeper ways. Toss aside your “inner critics” and have some fun!
Using watercolor and your sketchbook along the Artsy Way helps you to:
- Slow Down: Instead of snapping a quick photo and moving on, sit quietly with weathered wooden gates, centuries-old cedars, and hidden valley paths to really notice their details.
- Immerse: Experience the physical textures of the journey firsthand—from the historic shukubō (temple lodgings) and natural hot springs to the soft, warm lighting of evening Buddhist services.
- Observe Color and Light: Your sketchbook will document the changing environment, from the deep blue of a traditional indigo-dyeing vat to the morning mist rolling over isolated mountain peaks.
Art Instruction on the Artsy Way For beginning to Experienced Sketchers:
- Using the travel sketching materials Brenda provides:
- Water brush, pocket palette by ArtToolKit, permanent black and white pens, small ruler, travel art journal
- Quick drawing techniques to draw from real life/En Plein Air
- Combining basic shapes to illustrate what you see
- Measuring length, angle, and relationship of objects in your scene
- 1- and 2-point perspective
- Basic Watercolor techniques:
- Controlling water and pigment strength
- Fun projects using wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, spatter, scratching-out, dry brush
- Mixing colors to match the colors you see
- Composition:
- Focal point to “show the story” you want to remember, overlapping layers of scenery
- Page lay-out ideas for to combine sketching and writing in your journal
- Inspiring Subject Matter
- Tips to simplify boats, flowers, stone buildings, flowing and still water, people, goats, dogs, cows, landscapes, and whatever we see along our way.
- Encouragement to explore and experiment with various styles and techniques.
- Friendly Feedback: Your travel sketch book is “personal art.”
- You can share your work and get constructive feedback if you want, and if you don’t want to share – no pressure.
My goal is to provide a watercolor foundation while encouraging creativity, personal expression and a deeper ability to see the world around us.
By putting pen and paint to paper, you aren’t just recording what these places look like—you are taking the time to process and remember how they feel.