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Shikoku Pilgrimage, praying for a better and safer world

Piet Swart - JunSho Start Date: Nov 1, 2025 - End Date: Feb 28, 2026

My Travel Story

by: Piet Swart - JunSho Start Date: Nov 1, 2025 - End Date: Feb 28, 2026
On February 7, 2026, I will embark on a sacred journey—one that is as old as it is transformative. I will walk the Shikoku Pilgrimage, a path of deep spiritual significance that winds through the heart of Japan, visiting all 88 official temples and the 20 additional Bangai temples, culminating in the purification of 108 sacred sites. This number holds profound meaning in Buddhism, representing the 108 worldly desires that bind us to suffering and illusion. With each step I take, I will strive to release these desires—not just for myself, but for those who walk with me in spirit.

This pilgrimage is not merely a physical journey; it is a spiritual quest for enlightenment, healing, and transformation. The path has been walked for centuries by countless pilgrims seeking wisdom, blessings, and peace. I will walk in the footsteps of Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), the great founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism. It is said that Kōbō Daishi spiritually accompanies every pilgrim on this journey, guiding us through both physical and inner obstacles.

During the pilgrimage, I will carry the henro name Junsho, meaning "pure illumination." This name represents my aspiration to walk the path with clarity, sincerity, and devotion, and to reflect the inner light we all carry.

As I walk, I will carry your intentions, your prayers, and your hopes.

To make this sacred journey possible, I turn to you, dear friend, and humbly ask for your support. I am seeking to raise funds through crowdfunding to help cover the essential needs of the pilgrimage—food, shelter, and the means to travel with mindfulness and devotion. Every step I take will be in honor of those who offer their support, whether in spirit or through their generosity.

Each of the temples I visit holds a unique and sacred energy, dedicated to a specific spiritual blessing. Some temples focus on healing illness, especially those related to the head; others offer protection during travel, safe passage on water, fertility, or abundant harvests. There are temples that focus on inner peace, overcoming obstacles, and cleansing karmic debts. The pilgrimage itself is a ritual of purification, with each temple serving as a doorway to a deeper understanding of oneself and of the universe.

To honor the tradition of offering blessings for others, I will carry a small book of names and intentions, and at selected temples and shrines, I will offer prayers and ritual tokens of gratitude for those who walk with me in spirit.


✦ Here is how you can be part of this journey:

€100 or more
I will write your prayer on a traditional ema (wooden prayer plaque) or other sacred offering and leave it at a temple aligned with your prayer’s purpose. This act symbolizes your connection to the temple and the energy you seek to receive.

€250 or more
I will inscribe your prayer on a prayer plaque or scroll, leave it at the respective temple, and also purchase a blessed temple talisman (ofuda or omamori), a sacred object imbued with the blessings of the temple.I will return this talisman to your home address from Japan, carrying with it the protection and grace of the pilgrimage.

This journey is a sacred act of devotion, healing, and connection—not only with the self, but with all beings. I invite you to walk with me in spirit, and to take part in the blessings of this ancient path.

With gratitude and reverence,
Junsho

 

As a supporter, you can:

Choose a specific blessing or temple you’d like me to visit on your behalf.
Send me your name or prayer intention to my.shikoku.pilgrimage26@gmail.com
Receive a small pilgrim token, according to the donation scheme, touched by the sacred sites.

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