I walked the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage from October to November 2013. The first 3 weeks were unseasonable -hot, humid and wet with 3 typhoons. November was cool. This list reflects that time of the year, but doesn’t include the ‘Henro’ gear I bought at Temple 1, please click here to see that post.

Starting from the bottom up…

CLOTHES

• Shoes – I wore Salomon GTX XA Ultra 3D shoes (not boots) and really appreciated the fact they were waterproof as I walked in many rainy days for the first 3 weeks

• Sandals – for the evenings and to give my feet a break – I wore TEVA Tirra sandals

• Socks x 3 – combination of lightweight and midweight merino socks depending on the weather

• Hiking pants – Kiwi Pro-Stretch Craghoppers – quick dry, lightweight, stretchy and comfortable

• Shorts x 1, poly material, light, quickdry, zip pockets for money (I wouldn’t take these if I walked it again, I would just stick with the pants)

• Knee brace – for my dodgy knee

• Base layers – merino long pants and long sleeve shirt – to sleep in / and for extra warmth

• Underpants x 2 – I wore Icebreaker hipkini. Merino is great for breathability and quick dry

• Shirts x 2 short-sleeve quick-dry t-shirts (I would take one long sleeve top to walk in and one short sleeve for evenings if I was to do this again)

• Sports bra

• Icebreaker sleeves – these are one of my favourite items. I wear them with short sleeve t-shirts and it saves me from constantly taking off and putting on a fleece, I can simply roll them down my arm if I get hot. (I wouldn’t take these again as I would use a long-sleeve top to walk in instead, better for sun protection and warmth)

• Buff – to keep your neck warm, but can also be used as a hat, headband etc

• Fleece

• Rain gear – I took waterproof pants and my Macpack Event rain jacket. If I was to do it again I would probably just take a good poncho instead

• Hat – I use a sports cap that fits under my rain jacket hood and helps to keep the rain off my face

• Sunglasses

 BACKPACK & ACCESSORIES

• Backpack – I used a Lowe Airzone Trek ND33-40, it’s lightweight and small

• Backpack raincover (not necessary if using a poncho)

• Backpack liner – I recommend using a dry bag inside your backpack for extra protection against rain, I have a 40 litre dry bag inside mine.

• Dry bags inside pack to compartmentalise clothes

• Guidebook, Shikoku Japan 88 Route Guide, David Moreton

• Ziplock bags – for keeping things like passport/guidebook/pilgrim’s passport etc dry and also good for storing leftover food if you cook. Pack as many as you can.

• Water Container –  1 x 1 litre Platypus container

• Walking poles – I used and love my PACER POLES

• Utensils – spork & cup

• Headlamp 

• Alarm Clock – use phone/watch

• Clothes Line – I have the lifeventure pegless clothes line and it is the most used item I own!

• Towel: Ultralight Packtowel

• Ear plugs

• Eye mask

• Foldable daypack – Sea to summit Ultra Sil 20l pack

• Sleeping Bag – I used a Western Mountaineering Summerlite – 525grams

• Sleeping Mat – Thermarest Women’s Prolite Regular

• S hook – I took one from my dad’s garden and use it for hanging things up in showers when there are no hooks

• Safety pins – for hanging wet clothes on your pack to dry

ELECTRONICS

• Camera – I used a Sony RX 100 compact digital camera

• Phone with headphones – I used my iPhone as a second camera and to listen to music

• Garmin 62s GPS

• Chargers for camera & phone

• Spare AAA batteries for headlamp and AA batteries for GPS

• Adaptor plug for Japan – same as USA & Canada

TOILETRIES & FIRST AID

• Shampoo – I used a LUSH shampoo bar for hair and body and it lasts more than a month

• Soap – multi-purpose soap for washing clothes, body, hair etc

• Toothbrush – Kathmandu does small, folding and lightweight toothbrushes

• Toothpaste – bring a small tube and you can always buy more

• Toilet paper / tissues – inevitably you’ll have to go somewhere along the trail but please take your rubbish with you (easy to pack it out in a ziplock bag)

• FirstAid Kit – bandaids, needle and thread, antiseptic cream, sunscreen, lip balm, scissors, tweezers, antibacterial hand gel – NOTE: Japan has strict zero-tolerance drug laws including some cold/flu/allergy/sinus medicines and painkillers with codeine so check with the Japanese Embassy in your country before bringing any of these items in. 

⇒ Planning for the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage

⇒ Blogging from the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage

⇒ Expenses – how much did it actually cost?

⇒ Elevation Profiles

⇒ Video Gallery