28Nov09: Omar Kotondi

Learning about Kōbō Daishi , one of Japan's most famous people, is an integral part of the 88 temple pilgrimage on Shikoku island, a place I now call home. The engrossing stories of his epic voyages across Japan and China reminds us all of the true meaning of courage, what really matters in life (self discovery and salvation) and that sometimes, religious stories have to be taken with a grain of salt.

There is nothing similar in my home country of Niger (West Africa) and I was fortunate to be a Henro for a day. Granted there is some sense of the pilgrimage religious roots in my mind, but I understand that the main reason most henro go to Shikoku nowadays is for sightseeing.

Whether you participate to pray, to thank Kōbō Daishi for success in some undertaking or simply for sightseeing by car or on foot, I would encourage you to visit Shikoku and experience being a Henro.

I simply had a unique and all-around positive experience. It is the kind of excursion embodying the Japanese spirit of endurance, patience and hospitality that I have envisioned long before ever setting foot in Japan. Bring a friend, lots of water and walk at your own pace.

I would definitely repeat this experience in the near future and visit more temples.