Tourism EXPO Japan 2025 Aichi/Central Japan
A 1,300-Year-Old Buddhist Pilgrimage (Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Shiga, Hyogo, Gifu Prefectures)
Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage - A 1,300 year old Journey to the Soul-
Japan's oldest pilgrimage:
Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage (the thirty-three Kannon temples in Western Japan) is Japan's oldest pilgrimage, with over 1,300 years of history. The route consists of thirty-three temples that enshrine Kannon (Bodhisattva of Compassion) and extends approx. 1,000 km across the Kinki region, from Wakayama, Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Shiga and Gifu prefectures.
It abounds in legends, stories of divine feats and miraculous spiritual quests, and continues to preserve the ancient traditions of Japan.
History:
The history of Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage dates back to the story of Priest Tokudo in the early 8th century. According to legend, in 718 Priest Tokudo received a divine message from Enma Daio, the King of Hell, who lamented that too many sentient beings were being sent to hell for impiety.
Enma revealed to Tokudo that there were 33 sacred sites in Japan where holy Kannon were enshrined, and he gave him sacred seals (Hoin) for each of the sites, with a written pledge vowing that those who made the pilgrimage of these 33 sites would be saved from going to hell. Although today red ink stamps known as Goshuin are given at each of the 33 temples as a symbol of proof that pilgrims have visited each temple, this custom originates from the 33 sacred seals (Hoin) that Enma gave to Priest Tokudo.
Pilgrims and Visitors:
Throughout the pilgrimage, people seek the mercy of Kannon, pray for their deceased loved ones, as well as for relief from the various hardships that we experience in life. Furthermore, it offers us an invaluable chance to reflect upon our own lives and to contemplate our own destinies.
Japan's oldest pilgrimage:
Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage (the thirty-three Kannon temples in Western Japan) is Japan's oldest pilgrimage, with over 1,300 years of history. The route consists of thirty-three temples that enshrine Kannon (Bodhisattva of Compassion) and extends approx. 1,000 km across the Kinki region, from Wakayama, Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Shiga and Gifu prefectures.
It abounds in legends, stories of divine feats and miraculous spiritual quests, and continues to preserve the ancient traditions of Japan.
History:
The history of Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage dates back to the story of Priest Tokudo in the early 8th century. According to legend, in 718 Priest Tokudo received a divine message from Enma Daio, the King of Hell, who lamented that too many sentient beings were being sent to hell for impiety.
Enma revealed to Tokudo that there were 33 sacred sites in Japan where holy Kannon were enshrined, and he gave him sacred seals (Hoin) for each of the sites, with a written pledge vowing that those who made the pilgrimage of these 33 sites would be saved from going to hell. Although today red ink stamps known as Goshuin are given at each of the 33 temples as a symbol of proof that pilgrims have visited each temple, this custom originates from the 33 sacred seals (Hoin) that Enma gave to Priest Tokudo.
Pilgrims and Visitors:
Throughout the pilgrimage, people seek the mercy of Kannon, pray for their deceased loved ones, as well as for relief from the various hardships that we experience in life. Furthermore, it offers us an invaluable chance to reflect upon our own lives and to contemplate our own destinies.
Co-exhibitor of Japan Heritage
A Quarry Turned Underground Labyrinth (Tochigi Pref.) :
Eliminating landslides ~ Crossing Kamenose at the heart of the ancient Tatsuta Road ~ (Nara, Osaka Prefectures) :
Four Cities That Supported the Mega-City of Edo ~ An Edo Travelogue through Hokuso ~ (Chiba Pref.) :
Mt. Daisen: Japan’s Largest Livestock Market ~ Livestock and devotion to Jizo Bodhisattva ~ (Tottori Pref.) :
88._THE STORY OF MULBERRY CITY :
A 1,300-Year-Old Buddhist Pilgrimage (Wakayama, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Shiga, Hyogo, Gifu Prefectures) :
A trip to Suruga with Japan’s travel pioneers Yaji and Kita ~ A comical Tokaido travel guide in prose and ukiyoe ~ (Shizuoka Pref.) :
An Industrial Highway for Horse-Drawn Wagons (Hyogo Pref.) :
Awa - The Birthplace of “Japan Blue” (Tokushima Pref.) :
Dewa Sanzan: A Journey to Rebirth ~ 300-year-old cedars and 2,446 stone steps ~ (Yamagata Pref.) :
From Forest Railway to Yuzu Road—The Story of Japan’s Largest Yuzu-Growing Region :
Iki, Tsushima, and the Goto Islands—Japan’s Ancient Bridge to Asia (Nagasaki Pref.) :
Kamakura - A Historical and Cultural Mosaic (Kanagawa Pref.) :
Katsuragi Shugen ~ The home of Shugendo mountain asceticism ~ (Wakayama, Osaka, Nara Prefectures) :
Kurashiki and the Story of Fiber ~ East meets west through cotton ~ (Okayama Pref.) :
Land of Izumo,Tatara Chronicle ~A Thousand Years of Iron~ :
Merchant Ships Carrying Goods, Culture, and Big Dreams (Hokkaido, Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kagawa Prefectures) :
Miracle Railroad ~ Connecting Japan to the world ~ (Fukui, Shiga Prefectures) :
Mt. Mitoku and Misasa Hot Springs Thrills and Spills: An Exciting Climb and Healing Hot Springs (Tottori Pref.) :
No.27_The Story of Komatsu's Gems&Stones-A Heritage of Stone Polished by the Flow of Time :
Onomichi(Hiroshima Pref.):A miniature garden city from the middle ages built around the onomichi channel :
Policemen Pirates of the Setonaikai Sea (Ehime, Hiroshima Prefectures) :
Pre-Historic Flame-Style Pottery of the Snow Country (Niigata Pref.) :
Preserving the Mountain Forests of the Kiso Region (Nagano Pref.) :
Saio – The Prayers of a Princess(Mie Pref.) :
Takaoka: Flourishing Folk Culture Under the Maeda Clan ~ People, skills, heart ~ (Toyama Pref.) :
The Blessings of Life Alongside Whales (Wakayama Pref.) :
The Educational Heritage of Early Modern Japan: the origins of learning and etiquette (Mito City,Ashikaga City,Bizen City,Hita City Educational Heritage and World Heritage Registration Promotion Council) :
The Founding of Japan ~ The women who made Asuka thrive ~ (Nara Pref.) :
The Glittering History of Gold Production (Miyagi, Iwate Prefectures) 81 Awa - The Birthplace of “Japan Blue” (Tokushima Pref.) :
The Grand 1,400-Year History of Japan’s Oldest Road – Takeuchi Kaido road, Yoko-Oji (Oji) – (Osaka, Nara Prefectures) :
The Intricate World of Indigo Shibori Tie-Dyeing (Aichi Pref.) :
The Kunisaki Peninsula – Where Ogres Bring Happiness (Oita Pref.) :
The Martial Towns of the Satsuma Samurai (Kagoshima Pref.) :
The masons of Yatsushiro ~ The stone-making legacy of Masonry Town ~(Kumamoto Pref.) :
The Prehistoric Burial Mounds of Miyazaki (Miyazaki Pref.) :
The Story Behind the Tale of Momotaro (Okayama Pref.) :
Tokamachi, the Ultimate Snow Country: Snowbelt Story (Niigata Pref.)（Tokamachi City Culture and Tourism Promotion Council） :
Volcanic Iwami ~ Prehistoric forests and the Iwami Ginzan silver mines~ (Shimane Pref.) :
Wakanoura Bay ~ A Treasure House of Scenic Beauty ~ (Wakayama Pref.) :
Wakasa Heritage – Connecting the Sea and Kyoto ~ Imperial food purveyors and the Mackerel Road ~ (Fukui Pref.) :
”Shikoku Henro”⎯ Circular pilgrimage route and unique pilgrimage culture :
【Japan Heritage】Landscape Interwoven with Vineyards -Kyotoh-Yamanashi Wine County- :
| Booth No | E-019 |
|---|---|
| Area | Travel-related companies（Inbound to JAPAN） |
| Official site | https://jh-saikoku33.jp/en/ |
| SNS Links |    |
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