2025 Ikigai Walkshop

The Shikoku Pilgrimage has been practiced for over 1,200 years and spans over 1000 kilometers, connecting a total of 88 revered Buddhist temples situated on the island of Shikoku, Japan.

Throughout our adventure, we will have the opportunity to visit 11 of these significant temples as we hike our way through beautiful hills and lush forests, all while enjoying views overlooking the ocean.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage “88 Temple” Walkshop at a glance

Trail Difficulty: moderate - Advanced

For the first time in 2025, our community will head to Asia for a different kind of cultural and hiking experience. We will have the opportunity to explore the famous Shikoku Pilgrimage in fall, taking in the natural beauty and changing colors of the forests surrounding these ancient temples.

  • 6 nights accommodation in regional hotels, with a mix of Japanese style and Western style accomodations

  • 4 days of hiking, 1 day workshop focused on the Ikigai principles, discovering your purpose through exploring the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

  • 12 Leaders looking to both find, and push, their limits while accomplishing this pilgrimage together

  • Visit 11 of the 88 famous temples and monasteries in the forests of Shikoku

Ikigai Walkshop - Shikoku Pilgrimage 2025 [SOLD OUT]
$4,699.00 $4,999.00

Ikigai Walkshop

Our group of leaders will head to the forests to offline to recharge while walking and wandering in small groups through the templets, valley, and forests of Shikoku island. The path will provide us time to explore these temples, learn more about the customs and traditions of each location, and dive into the Ikigai principles of discovering your purpose.

  • Sunday, September 21

    We will depart from Kyoto and head to the start of the Pilgrimage in Bando, in the suburbs of Tokushima City. As we prepare for the hike, we will have a welcome dinner to meet the fellow hikers and introduce the Ikigai principles.

    • Brief overview of ikigai and its Japanese roots.

    • Explain the workshop's structure and what participants can expect over the five days.

  • Monday, Sept 22nd

    Day 1: We will introduce the concept of ikigai, discuss its origins and purpose, and encourage participants to start exploring the four areas in a relaxed, reflective manner.

    Self-Introduction:

    • Each participant shares a little about themselves, focusing on their current life stage and a brief story about something that makes them feel fulfilled.

    Introduction to the Four Areas of Ikigai:

    • Briefly explain each area (What you love, What you’re good at, What the world needs, and What you can be paid for).

    Reflection Exercise:

    • Light, reflective questions (e.g., "What do you enjoy doing in your free time?", "What skills come naturally to you?", "What causes do you feel passionate about?").

    • Write down initial thoughts in a workbook or journal.

  • Tuesday, Sept 23

    On our second day of hiking, we will examine each area more deeply, preparing our group for tomorrow’s full day Ikigai workshop.

    Guided Exploration of Each Area:

    Break down each element with guiding questions:

    • What You Love: “What hobbies or activities make you lose track of time?”

    • What You’re Good At: “What skills have people frequently complimented you on?”

    • What the World Needs: “What are some issues in the world that resonate with you?”

    • What You Can Be Paid For: “What marketable skills do you have or wish to develop?”

    Journaling and Reflection:

    • Write down responses, encouraging honesty and a lack of judgment.

    Group Pair-Up Exercise:

    • Pair up to discuss one area we each feel confident about and one we feel uncertain about.

  • Wednesday, Sept 24

    This day is a day off from the trail. This “inner hike” day will be a chance to physically recover and dive deeper into the conversation together.

    Our Walkshop participants will discover their ikigai through deeper introspection and activities.

    Morning Session - Review & Revisit:

    • Revisit the four areas and share any additional insights from the past two days.

    • Brief group sharing on intentions for the day.

    Guided Visualization Exercise:

    • Visualization to help participants imagine their ideal life if they were fulfilling all four areas of ikigai.

    • Note key emotions, images, or ideas that come up.

    Self-Assessment Worksheets:

    • Structured exercise to explore specific answers for each area, allowing participants to identify overlapping answers or themes.

    Group Activity - Sharing and Feedback:

    • In small groups, each participant shares their self-assessment and receives supportive, constructive feedback.

    Afternoon Session - Synthesis:

    • Participants look for intersections between the four areas.

    • Participants draft a preliminary purpose statement based on these intersections.

    Closing Reflection:

    • End with a journaling prompt: “How do I feel about my purpose, and what questions remain for me?”

    Wrap-Up: Encourage participants to reflect on their discoveries and begin thinking about actionable goals for the next two days.

  • Thursday, September 25

    We will focus our discussion time on the vision each of us took away from the previous day’s workshop. What would success look like if we really doubled down on Ikigai purpose?

    In small groups during the hike, participant presents their ikigai statement and journey so far. Hikers provide constructive feedback and shares potential ideas for expansion or refinement. Participants discuss how they can align their purpose with real-world actions and opportunities.

  • Friday, September 26

    On our final day of hiking, having gone through the “Ikigai” exercise, we will talk about immediate actions to take and think about how best we can hold each other accountable when we return from the trail.

    • Break down goals into short-term (next 30 days), medium-term (next 6 months), and long-term (1-3 years).

    • Encourage participants to choose specific actions they can take to move toward each aspect of their ikigai.

    • Accountability Pairing: participants discuss accountability partners to check in on their progress post-workshop.

    At a meta level, we will also explore what ideas and insights we will each take back with us when we return back home. What have we learned from the hike that we can use to build traction at home?

Pilgrimage Hiking Schedule

 

Arrive by Saturday, September 20 in Kyoto

Arrive, unpack, and get accustomed to your surroundings (and for some, hikers will choose to arrive a few days earlier to spend time in Tokyo or elsewhere in Japan earlier in the week). If you are traveling in Japan before the Walkshop, be sure to arrive in your hotel Friday night in Kyoto.

The Walkshop will start on Sunday, September 21 from there and bring us to the start of the Pilgrimage trail.

Sunday, September 21st: Kyoto to Bando (the start of the Pilgrimage)

Distance for today’s hike: 3 km (just getting warmed up!)

Elevation gain: N/A

Temple #1: Ryozen-ji, the first of the Shikoku Pilgrimage’s 88 temples.

After check-out from your hotel in Kyoto, meet your Tour Leader mid-morning in the lobby and depart by dedicated vehicle (already paid for) to head to for Bando, in the suburbs of Tokushima City. Upon arrival in Bando, our Tour Leader will take us on a leisurely walk around the German House, Oasahiko Shrine and visit Temple #1 Ryozen-ji.

First, we will visit a unique exhibition documenting the fascinating cultural exchange between locals and German soldiers. The Germans, who had become prisoners of war in China during WWI, formed an orchestra and mounted over 100 concerts during their incarceration, including the first public performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in Japan.

Next, we visit Ryozen-ji, the first of the Shikoku Pilgrimage’s 88 temples. Within the temple precincts, aspiring pilgrims, known locally as O-henro-san, prepare for their journey by acquiring the distinctive accoutrements of white garb, sedge hat, walking staff and praying beads. (You may wish to add some or all of these items to your walking gear!) We highly recommend to obtain Ryozen-ji’s goshuin, or temple stamp (your Tour Leader will help you with that). These elegantly handwritten inscriptions are collected by pilgrims, one for each temple they visit.

We will have a group dinner that night (dinner price included in your ticket)

Monday, September 22nd: Bando to Anraku-ji

Distance: 18km (11 miles)

Elevation gain: 130m, 427 feet

Temples: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6


After breakfast (included in your ticket), we briefly pay our respects to Ryozen-ji, and we begin our pilgrimage; a journey of stages on a symbolic path from awakening to nirvana. The pilgrimage route from here is generally flat and wends its way past paddy fields, plum orchards, market gardens and a towering kusunoki camphor tree, which has stood watch over pilgrims for centuries, as you make your way from temple to temple. Lunch is taken near Konsen-ji, #3 of the 88 temples, and options include dining on udon wheat noodles, a popular Shikoku speciality, or eating al fresco with morsels bought in the local shops.

The pilgrimage continues on, sometimes through quiet residential suburbs and at other times over gentle rises through forests to the #4 and #5 temples, respectively Dainichi- ji and Jizo-ji. The latter features a collection of over 200 rakan statues of Buddhist disciples, and an 800-year old ginko tree. A little further on is #6 Anraku-ji, the sixth temple and your destination for the day.

Accommodation is in the temple’s shukubo pilgrims’ lodging. Here, enjoy a well-earned relaxing soak in the onsen thermal hot spring baths before a delicious and nourishing dinner. You will also visit the temple’s inner sanctum, view its holy treasures and participate in prayers.

We will have a group dinner that night (dinner price included in your ticket)

Tuesday, September 23rd: Anrakuji to Kamiyama

Distance: 16.5 km (10.3 miles)

Elevation gain: 1,083m (3,553 feet)

Temples: #11 and #12

Enjoy breakfast (included in your accommodation) before transferring by dedicated vehicle (also already included) to Fujii- dera, # 11 of the 88 temples. Today’s walk starts here and passes through forests including some long mountain trails over three peaks. Small shrines placed to either side of the path guide you on your way, as does Ippon-sugi-an, an ancient sugi cedar tree of great girth under which stands a serene statue of Kukai. A delightful farming hamlet heralds your arrival at Shosan-ji, Temple #12. Standing atop a mountain 800 metres above sea level, Shosan-ji is known for its spectacular setting amongst giant sugi cedar trees, the tops of which often disappear into enveloping mists.

Beyond, the pilgrimage trail descends into a small valley town, where a transfer brings you to tonight’s accommodation in Kamiyama Onsen. Kamiyama, which literally means 'Mountains of the Gods', is an entirely appropriate name for this beautiful village. Relax and enjoy a well-earned bask in the accommodation’s onsen baths before tucking into a traditional kaiseki dinner (included in the price of your ticket) - a meal composed of multiple delicious dishes.

Wednesday, September 24: Ikigai Workshop

Location: Kamiyama

Today, we will enjoy a more physically relaxed day while we stay overnight at the accommodation, where you will have access to a meeting room for our Ikigai workshop. Breakfast and dinner will both be provided and our Tour Leader will advise regarding lunch options nearby.

After the workshop, we will have some more time to enjoy the onsen hot spring baths.

Thursday, September 25th: Kamiyama to Momijigawa

Distance: 15km (9.3 miles)

Elevation gain: 910 m (3,000 feet)

Temples: #20 and #21

After breakfast (included in your ticket) transfer to the base of a climb to Kakurin-ji, Temple # 20, which entails an ascent of 470 metres over four kilometres through beautiful forests. From Kakurin-ji the route follows an undulating forest trail and cobblestone paths down to a quiet mountain village. Cross the Naka-gawa river and begin today’s final ascent though native woodlands aside cascading streams to Tairyu-ji, Temple # 21. Secluded at the top of a pass and often draped in mist, Tairyu-ji is an ethereal embodiment of the spirit of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. After absorbing the serene atmosphere, a cable car eases the final stretch of the journey down to the town far below. A short distance away is our evening’s accommodation, which is set aside a quiet river. Relax once again in the onsen baths here before a hearty dinner (also included).

Friday, September 26th: Naka Valley to Tokushima

Distance: 7km (4.5 miles)

Elevation gain: 200m (656 feet)

Temple: #23

After breakfast, we travel onwards via dedicated vehicle through Hiwasa, a quiet fishing town The pagoda at Yakuo-ji, the 23rd temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, presides over the town and can be seen from miles away. From its top, a beautiful view is afforded over Hiwasa to the Pacific Ocean. From here, a six kilometre looping walk leads you past Hiwasa Castle to a coastal ridge trail. Well-exercised pilgrim’s legs will have no trouble navigating the ups and downs of this forest trail, which opens up repeatedly to views over the steely-blue sea. Returning Hiwasa’s town centre, you will continue your journey by rail to Tokushima City and your hotel accommodation for the night. Dine in town tonight, your Tour Leader will take you to a local restaurant for the last dinner on tour (included)

Saturday, September 27th: Travel home via Osaka

After breakfast at the hotel (included), transfer to Osaka by dedicated vehicle (ride included in your ticket). The tour finishes in Osaka: the dedicated vehicle will drop the group off in Shin-Osaka station around 12.45pm, and then at Kansai International Airport (KIX) around 2.00pm.

"Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” — Jack Kerouac

〰️〰️〰️

"Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” — Jack Kerouac 〰️〰️〰️

Frequently Asked Questions

What's included in my ticket purchase?

  • Stay in authentic regional hotels. Accommodation are a mix of Japanese inns, onsen hot spring resort hotels and Western-style hotels

  • Breakfast every day is included

  • Dinner every day in included

  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel for 1 bag (You will need to pay extra if bringing multiple bags)

  • Facilitation space for our workshop and a facilitator for the event

  • Shuttles and private cars to help us navigate the pilgrimage

  • Translator and private hiking guide in Japan. Our tour leader is an experienced guide, knowledgeable about Japan and the Japanese, and fluent in English and Japanese.

  • Entrance fees for visits with your tour leader to museums, etc. are included when accompanied by our tour leader.

  • Gain access to the Global Walkshop community (online portal, slack workspace, etc). The learning and engagement doesn’t stop when you’re off the trail - it’s just that start of your engagement with this community of executives, designers, authors, speakers, and hikers.

Airfare and transport to and from Japan will be your responsibility.

Drinks and alcohol are not included in the price of the Walkshop. However, water and green tea are provided with most, if not all, meals.

What will we be eating along the way?

Breakfasts will be supplied by our hotels and lodges each day. We will also have dinner provided every day. Special dietary needs can be accommodated to an extent. The majority of the nights on our tours is spent in Japanese accommodation, where meals, especially dinner, are nearly always Japanese. Breakfasts are usually Japanese (combination of miso soup, grilled fish, steamed vegetables, pickles, and green tea) but, depending on the establishment, a simple, western-style meal may be offered. Most accommodation will also provide coffee and/or English-style tea after a Japanese breakfast. On the nights when we dine out in restaurants, our meals are mostly Japanese but usually more eclectic in nature with the provision of some western-style dishes.

Can vegetarian or vegan diets be accommodated on the Walkshop?

In Japan, specific dietary requirements such as vegetarianism, kosher food, and a number of food related allergies and problems, such as coeliac disease, are not widely understood nor catered for. Consequently, we cannot guarantee to provide meals catering to individual diets. Specifically, we are unable to provide strict vegetarian or vegan meals. This is because almost all stock (the base for soups and sauces) contains meat or fish products, and vegetables, if prepared as tempura, are fried in the same oil as meat and fish. Aside from this limitation, we endeavour to cater wherever possible to individual requirements and most of our accommodation is usually able to provide one or two alternative dishes. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary needs.

Contrary to some commonly-held ideas about Japan, the concept of vegetarianism does not really exist in the country outside of Buddhist temples. However, Japanese meals are usually made up of a large variety of dishes and many of these are suitable for all but strict vegetarians and vegans. If you have very specific dietary needs we suggest you also bring other food items to help supplement your meals.

What is the correct way to bathe at the Japanese inns?

It is not uncommon that toilet and bathroom facilities are shared at Japanese style accommodation. Although many overseas visitors may not be used to this, the facilities are spotless and use is not onerous. Bathing is in the typical Japanese style of washing before soaking in a bath. In some cases, baths are designed to be used by one person or one couple at a time, while others are communal and separated by gender. Your Tour Leader will give a full introduction to bathing, in addition to other matters of etiquette, upon arrival at your first inn of the tour, including how to distinguish the “Men” and “Women” bath curtains found at the entrance to the baths! You can also find a useful overview of using communal baths in Japan here.

Will I have private rooms for sleeping?

Not every night. For two nights, when in smaller towns, we will be staying in more traditional Japanese style accommodation with room sharing (think two twin beds in a room). Other nights, we can accommodate private sleeping accommodation (though it will cost a bit more for those rooms).

What should I pack for the trip?

  • Backpack that can get wet and survive

  • Phone charger and converter

  • Journal

  • Good pens

  • Snacks

  • Lots of extra socks

  • Good hiking shoes (plus an extra pair of shoes)

  • Rain gear and extra clothing. Dressing in layers allows you to adjust to changing weather and activity levels. Two rules: avoid cotton (it keeps moisture close to your skin) and always carry a hat

  • Spare plastic bags (keep things dry)

  • Sunscreen and sunglasses

  • Bug spray

  • Compass

  • Band-Aids (in case you get blisters)

  • First aid kit

  • Flashlight

  • Whistle

  • Hiking poles recommended for hilly terrain

What will the weather be like?

Autumn in Japan lasts from early September to the end of November. The scenery and weather during this time is delightful, making autumn the second most popular season for pilgrims. Shikoku is full of trees that change into brilliant reds and oranges, and cool autumn winds twirl alongside pilgrims, making autumn a great season for adventure. Temperatures begin to fall gradually in Autumn. In September, expect anywhere from 17.8ºc (64ºF) to 24.1ºc (75.4ºF).

How should I train / prepare for the hike?

Everyone should start an exercise routine several months before our trip and start increasing the amount of physical activity they experience in a typical day in anticipation of the experience.

What will the hotels be like?

 

Sunday, Sept 21

Stay in six Japanese inn style rooms (individual futon beddings, two persons/futon per room). Everyone has a room share (2 in a room). Each room has a full ensuite toilet and bathing facilities.

Accommodation: Otorii-en

 
 

Monday, Sept 22

Stay at Anrakuji Shukubo Pilgrim’s lodging. 9 rooms total (6 rooms single use, 3 rooms with two twins) in Japanese style lodging (individual futon beddings). No en suite - shared toilets and bathroom facilities at end of hall.

Accommodation: Anrakuji Shukubo

 

Tuesday, Sept 23 and Wednesday, Sept 24

Japanese hotel with onsen hot spring baths. 9 rooms (6 rooms for single use, 3 rooms for shared twin use). 5 Japanese style rooms (individual futon beddings, two persons/futon maximum per room as pictured on left) have ensuite toilet but shared bathing facilities. 4 Western style rooms (twin beds) have ensuite toilet and ensuite bathing facilities. 

Accommodation: Hotel Shiki no Sato

 

Thursday, Sept 25

Japanese hotel with onsen hot spring baths: 6 rooms in total (all twin shared rooms). 5 Japanese style rooms (individual futon beddings, two persons/futons per room as pictured on right) have ensuite toilet and ensuite bathing facilities. 1 Western style room (twin beds as pictured on left) have ensuite toilet and ensuite bathing facilities.

Accommodation: Momijigawa Onsen

 

Friday, Sept 26:

Stay at Western-style hotel. 9 rooms total (6 rooms for single use, 3 rooms for twin use) each with full ensuite toilet and bathing facilities.

Accommodation: JR Hotel Clement Tokushima