This is a living library of the ressources that we have found useful in preparation for the trip. Last updated 14/4 – 2021
Books
- Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide, Buyodo Co. Ltd., guidebook updates yearly
- “Running the Shikoku Pilgrimage: 900 Miles to Enlightenment” – by Amy Chavez, 2013. Here is an interview with Amy from around the time her book came out.
- “Fighting Monks and Burning Mountains: Misadventures on a Buddhist Pilgrimage” – by Paul Barach, 2014.
- “Hitching Rides With Buddha” – by Will Ferguson, 2006. This book is not about Shikoku, but it highlights some of the quirkier aspects of Japanese culture as seen from an outside perspective. I have read it multiple times and still find it highly entertaining.
Websites
- “Walking my life” is a great ressource for all things Shikoku-related. The writer has walked the pilgrimage twice and shares personal anecdotes combined with useful information on places to sleep, henro formalia etc. Sadly, much of the content is a little out-dated as the website was last updated in 2015.
- The ghost blog “The Goat that Wrote” have 9 posts from 2015 describing the author’s pilgrimage on Shikoku. Read them here: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight and Nine
- I used this site to look up the translation for the sign on our header image. It appears to mean “end” or “close”?.
TV/Series
- I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Danish television host and media persona, Mikael Bertelsen, and his wonderful show “Bertelsen på Shikoku 88” which aired on Danish TV in 2017. You can watch all ten episodes here (Danish)