Gokasho Mairi (Tour of Five Temples)

Temples 13 through 17 on the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage route are all located within Tokushima city, making it possible to walk all five in a single day. The gokasho mairi, or tour of five temples, follows a route under eight kilometers long with no steep terrain. The temples were founded between 673 and 816 and rebuilt multiple times after fires and conflicts, so their collections span several historical periods. All five are connected by legend to the monk Kukai, who was born in neighboring Kagawa. Pilgrims in traditional white clothing and sedge hats are a common sight along the route, though regular clothes are fine.