Price hike for the first time in 30 years New “hospitality” Changing pilgrimage culture February 2nd 10:08am

A pilgrimage to 88 temples throughout Shikoku. This year is a leap year, and the number of pilgrims is expected to increase as it is said that if you go around the temples in reverse order (reverse order), your blessings will triple.

However, some temples are finding it difficult to operate due to the coronavirus pandemic and soaring prices.

How can we maintain the culture of pilgrimage that has been passed down for over 1,200 years? We covered the sites we are exploring. (Kochi Broadcasting Station reporter Tomoma Takemura)

Pilgrimage visitors decreased due to the coronavirus pandemic

Chikurin-ji Temple is the 31st temple in Mt. Godai, Kochi City. This ancient temple is famous for its bright vermilion five-storied pagoda, and is visited by pilgrims of all ages.

“Every time I go on a pilgrimage, I feel like my heart becomes clearer.” (Pilgrimage visitor)

“I feel at ease and able to be honest.” (Pilgrimage visitor)

However, according to the chief priest of Chikurinji Temple, the number of pilgrims who have decreased due to the coronavirus pandemic has not yet fully recovered. In the case of Chikurin-ji Temple, the number has remained at about three-quarters of its pre-coronavirus level.

Shikoku Pilgrimage with a total length of 1200 km

Pilgrimage began about 1,200 years ago as a path of ascetic training along the path walked by Kobo Daishi (Kukai).

It is said to have been established around the middle of the Edo period, and the total length of the trail is approximately 1,200 kilometers, visiting a total of 88 temples from Tokushima to Kochi, Ehime, and Kagawa. It is characterized by a "migratory" type of worship, which is rare in the world.

It is said that by visiting all the shrines, your wishes will come true and you will receive the merits of Kobo Daishi.

Although there is no accurate record of the total number of pilgrims each year, reference data is the number of people using the ropeway at Tairyuji Temple, the 21st temple in Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture.

In 2014, which marked 1200 years since the Shikoku Sacred Sites opened, the number of visitors exceeded 100,000. However, since fiscal 2020, when the new coronavirus infection spread, the number has continued to fall below 50,000.

Furthermore, the recent rise in prices is also a source of concern for temples. It is said that maintenance costs for temples are becoming difficult due to rising repair costs and utility costs.

Kazuhide Ebitsuka, Chief Priest of Chikurin-ji Temple

: ``It would be good if there were people such as temple families to protect the temple, but some temples have to survive solely on the income from pilgrims.With the recent rise in prices, temples It has become a difficult situation to maintain this."

“Delivery fees” will rise for the first time in 30 years

For this reason, the Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites Association, which consists of 88 temples, has made a decision.

This is an increase in the ``nokyo fee'' that pilgrims pay when getting a goshuin stamp on their nokyo book at a temple. From April, prices will increase by 100 to 200 yen at all temples.

The price varies depending on what you get the stamp for

, ``Nokeicho'' is 300 yen to 500 yen

, ``white coat'' is 200 yen to 300 yen

, and ``hanging scroll'' is 500 yen to 700 yen

.

This is the first time in 30 years since 1994 that there has been a rise in the ``payment fee.''

Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites Association Chairman Hidemine Hatake

: ``We had to make a decision at some point because the sutra fees had remained unchanged for 30 years.We want to improve the environment of the sacred sites so that people can visit them comfortably.''

Expectations rise for pilgrims from overseas

The operation of the temple is in dire straits, but tourists from overseas are expected to help.

Last December, a tour related to the pilgrimage was held.

Five foreigners gathered at Ryozenji Temple, the number one temple in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture. They are from travel agencies and media in the United States, France, Italy, Singapore, and Finland.

The tour was planned by a travel agency in Kochi. This is an adventure travel pre-tour that combines two or more of the three elements of "activity," "nature," and "cross-cultural experience."

The five people first prayed at the temple, then rode electric assist bicycles to the next temple.

On this day, we cycled about 20km from temple number 1 to temple number 6, and all five seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the rich natural scenery.

We will also visit nearby tourist facilities. On this tour, we stopped at the Naruto City German Pavilion and saw how local people interacted with German soldiers who were captured by the Japanese army during World War I.

Of course, at the temple, you can experience meditation and copying sutras.

Through this combination of authentic pilgrimage and leisure activities, we hope to increase the number of pilgrims from overseas more than ever.

Representative from an American travel agency

: ``Before participating in this tour, I knew very little about the pilgrimage.It was very fascinating to relive Kobo Daishi's journey and learn about the history of each temple.'' I think we can sell this tour in the United States and get the tour tourists excited.'' A

Finnish media official said

, ``The atmosphere at the temple was peaceful, and I loved the chirping of birds, the sound of bells, the scent, and the transcription of sutras. It felt mystical. I would like to spread the word about the pilgrimage on Instagram and YouTube."

Matthew Bennett, a guide at a travel agency in Kochi who planned this tour, is also feeling the effects.

Matthew Bennett

: ``I started walking the pilgrimage about 10 years ago.I'm already on my 4th time.In Shikoku, you can enjoy many activities such as cycling, trekking, and swimming in the river. I feel stressed, but when I go on a pilgrimage, I can pray, pray, and feel nature, so I think I can forget my stress."

The effects of this pre-tour are immediately apparent. An introductory article was published in the French sports magazine ``I-TREKKINGS'', and we are also in talks to have a Finnish photographer who has a loyal following post it on Instagram.

PR related to large events

PR on sites related to major events is also planned.

According to the Shikoku Tourism Creation Organization, a sales site for trips that combine sightseeing with the Osaka/Kansai Expo is scheduled to be launched in April, and the organization would like to register products that incorporate the "adventure travel" of the pilgrimage there. .

Travel agencies in Ehime Prefecture are also making adjustments to sell products incorporating the pilgrimage to overseas markets, and are aiming to hold tours from autumn onwards.

Is there a possibility that the number of pilgrims from overseas will increase?

Originally, each prefecture in Shikoku had a tourism strategy of increasing the length of stay for tourists, and the pilgrimage is one of the core of this strategy.

Associate Professor Yoshihiko Tomohara of Kochi Prefectural University, who specializes in tourism, points out that the number of pilgrims from overseas may increase in the future.

Associate Professor Yoshihiko Tomohara of Kochi Prefectural University

: ``Shikoku is rich in nature, including mountains, rivers, and the sea, and the concept of walking through it is very good.Also, since the pilgrimage involves visiting Buddhist temples, it gives us an opportunity to think about our views on life and death.'' I think such trips will become popular with people overseas as well.”

On the other hand, he says there are also challenges.

“I think it is essential to improve the environment around the temples. For example, there are many things that can be done to make the pilgrimage more comfortable for pilgrims, such as installing trash cans and benches. Also, compared to other countries, Japan has fewer warnings such as prohibiting ____. I think there are a lot of them. Signboards like this can make pilgrims feel like they're not welcome, so I think it's a good idea to take this into consideration."

Increase your appeal with a new travel style

Increasing the appeal of the pilgrimage through new travel styles and ``changing'' it - this will likely lead to ``protecting'' the 1200-year-old history of the pilgrimage culture.

Chikurin-ji Temple Kazuhide Ebitsuka

: ``Looking at the long history, originally there was only a walking pilgrimage.Then we became a car society, and people began to go around by car.I think the Shikoku pilgrimage has changed over time. I think what people are looking for in a pilgrimage is also changing.I think it would be good if people could experience the charm of the Shikoku pilgrimage, which has a history of 1,200 years, from various perspectives.''

(Broadcast on “Kochi Ichiban” on December 14th)

Kochi Broadcasting Station Reporter

Tomoma Takemura Joined the station

in 2018

After working at the Asahikawa and Sapporo stations, he is currently at the station

Recently started his pilgrimage.