Tourism EXPO Japan 2026
A 1,300-Year-Old Buddhist Pilgrimage
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.
By visiting the 33 temples and encountering each Kannon, pilgrims can get a glimpse into the inner depths of a culture and spiritual world that the Japanese have cultivated since ancient times.
Japan Heritage:
In May 2019, Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage, with its 1,300-year-long history, was recognized as a Japan Heritage Site.
Why not take a journey to the soul and experience Japan's oldest pilgrimage route?
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.
By visiting the 33 temples and encountering each Kannon, pilgrims can get a glimpse into the inner depths of a culture and spiritual world that the Japanese have cultivated since ancient times.
Japan Heritage:
In May 2019, Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage, with its 1,300-year-long history, was recognized as a Japan Heritage Site.
Why not take a journey to the soul and experience Japan's oldest pilgrimage route?
Co-exhibitor of Japan Heritage
"Iza, Kamakura" Kamakura, a city of history and culture :
"What on Earth?!" Flame Pots and Snow Counry Culture in the Shinano River Basin :
140 Years of Japanese Wine ~ A Fermented Masterpiece of Japanese Culture ~ :
A 1,300-Year-Old Buddhist Pilgrimage :
A Cultural Heritage Linking the Sea to the Ancient Capital :
A Landscape Interwoven with Vineyards -Kyotoh-Yamanashi Wine County- :
A Legacy of Stonework : the craftsmanship of Yatsushiro's masons :
A miniature garden city from the middle ages built around the onomichi channel :
Along the Ley Lines – Sanctuary of Sun and Earth ~ Ueda Shiodadaira: a town that lives with dragons :
An Edo Travelogue through Four Hokuso Cities :
Awa – The Home of “Ai”: Searching for the Supreme Blue of Japanese indigo :
Bantan Throughway - Gin no Bashamichi and Koseki no Michi Japan Heritage Site :
Defense Network of Satsuma Samurai Districts in the Edo Period :
Educational Heritage and World Heritage Registration Promotion Council :
Eternal History Told Through Iwami's Volcanoes — Trip of Discovery to the “Jomon Forest” and “Silver Mine” — :
Even Edo is not as busy as Esashi in May －The town made prosperous by herring :
From Forest Railway to Yuzu Road-The Story of Japan’s Largest Yuzu-Growing Region :
Japan Heritage "Shikoku Henro" ～Circular pilgrimage route and unique pilgrimage culture～ :
Japan Heritage Administration Team :
Japan's Largest Livestock Market Born of Jizo Bodhisattva Worship :
Kakaa Denka – The Peerless Wives ~ The Story of Silk in Gunma Prefecture ~ :
Kasama and Mashiko: The Story Woven by Twin Pottery-Making Districts :
Kurashiki and the Story of Fiber - East meets west through cotton - :
Land of Izumo,Tatara Chronicle ～A Thousand Years of Iron～ :
Living with Whales :
Masuda glows with the brightness of the Age of Regional Revitalization :
Merchant Ships Carrying Goods, Culture, and Big Dreams :
Mitake Shosenkyo Gorge, the Source of Koshu's Craftsmanship — Faith, Skills and Advanced Technology Led by the Crystal's Pulse :
Mt. Mitoku and Misasa Onsen: Thrills and Spills - An Exciting Climb and Healing Hot Springs- :
No Landslide Anymore! Crossing ‘Kamenose',the heart of the ancient Tatsuta Kodo :
Okayama, the birthplace of the Legend of Momotaro, a piece of Japan Heritage-A tale of ogre conquest handed down through ancient Kibi heritage- :
Preserving the Mountain Forests of the Kiso Region :
Reki-Manzan Takaosan – The Story of Mulberry city Woven by Locals' Prayers - :
Saiku: The Palace of Saio - the Imperial Princess Prays :
Shinobi-no-Sato Iga and Koka – Exploring the Birthplace of the Real Ninja :
Six Ancient Kilns - Ceramics Born and Raised in Japan - :
The birthplace of Shugendo, a tradition passed down through generations of believers and villagers :
The Border Islands ~ A 2300-year story of trade, cultural interaction, and conflict.~ :
The down of Japan～woman in the Asuka Period～ :
The Geiyo Islands, home to “JAPAN’S GREATEST CORSAIR” reviving the memory of the Murakami KAIZOKU :
The Intricate World of Indigo Shibori Tie-Dyeing :
The Lake Biwa Canal: The Canal of Hope Connecting Kyoto and Otsu― Walk and boat along the canal to experience a day in the Meiji Era :
The Oldest National Highway: A 1,400-Year Legacy of History - Takenouchi Kaido & Yokooji (Daido) - :
The Prehistoric Burial Mounds of Miyazaki :
The Railway That Crossed the Sea~The Railway of Miracle and Trajectory that Connected with the World~ :
The Stone Working Skills of Fukui - Building Blocks of History :
The Story of Komatsu's Gems & Stones - A Heritage of Stone Polished by the Flow of Time :
The Story of MICHINOKU GOLD -Zipang,the Land of Gold:Tracing the Origins of Japanese Gold- :
THE STORY OF THE LORD AND HIS CITIZENS WHO TURNED A CRISIS INTO A GREAT OPPORTUNITY :
Tracing the History of a Medieval Rural Landscape :
Treasure House of Scenic Beauty Wakanoura :
Tsuwano: Then and Now: A Walk through the Hyakkeizu :
Ultimate Snow Country Tokamachi - The True Story! A Story of a heavy snowfall :
Underground Adventure ～Utsunomiya,Home of Oya Stone～ :
Yaji and Kita’s journey through Sunshu, gave rise to the first travel boom in Japan :
”Kunisaki” -where Oni and Buddhas coexist as one :
| Booth No | Y-30 |
|---|---|
| Area | Travel-related companies（Inbound to JAPAN） |
| Official site | https://jh-saikoku33.jp/en/ |
| SNS Links |    |
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