Henro, or Japanese Buddhist pilgrims, stop for pilgrim supplies at the entrance to Okunoin. Though the most famous trail in Japan is around Shikoku Island's 88 temples, Koya-san is another hot spot. Nowadays it is common to undertake pilgrimages in stages, completing one cycle in a number of trips; many devotees repeat the pilgrimage even hundreds of times. Some become so addicted to the sites and the route that they spend their entire lives on the road and end their pilgrimage only in...
more »

Henro, or Japanese Buddhist pilgrims, stop for pilgrim supplies at the entrance to Okunoin. Though the most famous trail in Japan is around Shikoku Island's 88 temples, Koya-san is another hot spot. Nowadays it is common to undertake pilgrimages in stages, completing one cycle in a number of trips; many devotees repeat the pilgrimage even hundreds of times. Some become so addicted to the sites and the route that they spend their entire lives on the road and end their pilgrimage only in death, a memorial stone marking the ending of their life's journey.
« less