Japan's Buddhist Pilgrimage

SAIJYO, JAPAN - MAY 11: Pilgrims walk in the temple No.60 'Yokomineji' on May 11, 2017 in Saijyo, Japan. The Shikoku Henro or Shikoku Pilgrimage is a 1200 km-long sacred trail visiting 88 Buddhist temples along the way on Shikoku Island in the south western part of Japan. According to the monks at multiple temples, there is an increase in the number of pilgrims in recent years, especially of the younger generation who are on the soul-searching journey, as well as foreign tourists particularly from European countries. The trail is believed to be following the journey taken by the Japanese Buddhist monk Kukai, born in 774, who founded one of the most major schools of Buddhism, the Shingon-shu in Japan. Pilgrims dressed in distinctive all-white clothing, straw hat and a walking stick traditionally go on the trail on foot, but modern pilgrims also use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. (Photo by Taro Karibe/Getty Images)