What this is
Rooted in over a thousand years of Buddhist tradition, the 88 Temple Pilgrimage recreates the sacred Shikoku Henro circuit — a journey associated with the monk Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) — in an event format at Nippon Budokan. Pilgrims traditionally wear white robes and carry walking sticks as they symbolically connect with all 88 temples linked to Shingon Buddhism. The source details are limited, so the exact format here — whether a ceremonial gathering, a cultural demonstration, or a commemorative event — is not fully clear from available information.
Who should go
Those with an interest in Japanese Buddhism, Shingon spirituality, or traditional pilgrimage culture. Visitors curious about one of Japan's most iconic religious traditions will find this worthwhile even without deep prior knowledge.
Good to know
Ticket availability and sales platforms have not been confirmed in the source — check eplus.jp or pia.jp, both of which accept foreign credit cards and offer convenience store pickup at Lawson, which is the most reliable option for visitors without a Japanese address. Nippon Budokan has a capacity of around 14,000 and is a large arena-style venue; seating configuration will depend on the event format. The venue has bag check facilities and generally requires bags larger than a certain size to be checked — arrive at least 30–45 minutes before the start time. Cash is useful for any on-site purchases such as merchandise or food stalls, though card payment is increasingly accepted at Budokan concessions.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.