Why completing Japan’s historic 88 temple pilgrimage was so rewarding – and gruelling

In pursuit of a new sense of purpose, Samantha Herbert takes on one of the world’s most challenging hikes across the island of Shikoku, trekking 1,200km in six weeks


play_arrow All United Kingdom News
11 h.
Culture
ID: 2062604113522091449


Similar News expand_more


8 d. Happy Holi 2026: What to know and how the Hindu festival is celebrated
Culture
3 w. ‘Even more special’: Jakara Anthony dusts off Winter Olympics heartbreak for historic triumph
Sport
2 w. Japan's traditional kimonos are being repurposed in creative and sustainable ways
Culture
4 w. 'Extraordinary' altars from Roman temple in Scotland to go on show for first time
Culture
9 d. Mourning in the Middle East and Holi celebrations in India: Photos of the day – Tuesday
Culture
3 w. What is the Lunar New Year? How Asian communities celebrate across the world
Culture
2 w. Japan's emperor expresses concern about 3/11 disaster survivors on his 66th birthday
Politics
1 M. Family 'constantly swerving death' after ancestor helped find Tutankhamen's tomb
Science
1 M. Samurai at the British Museum: A triumph of style, sophistication and sword porn
Culture
2 w. Why is the Winter Olympics closing ceremony taking place in Verona? Reason explained
Sport
2 w. The bones of St. Francis are going on public display, a mixed blessing for Assisi
Culture
1 M. Inside wild Winter Olympics village tales where 'horny athletes party and have orgies'
Entertainment
2 w. Olympics visitors are invited beyond the Duomo to Milan's other stunning churches
Culture
3 w. Verona to deliver ‘something very special’ as ancient arena prepares to stage Olympic closing ceremony
Culture
1 M. Japan election: Sanae Takaichi’s ruling conservatives on course for landslide win
Sport
1 M. Intimate and enormous: Milano Cortina opening ceremony tries something different
Culture
1 w. Saint Patrick’s Way: the pilgrimage route promising a very personal journey
Entertainment
1 M. Japan election: Sanae Takaichi’s ruling conservatives on course for landslide victory
Sport
3 d. I visited one of Surrey's most significant religious sites for Ramadan
Culture
1 w. Major historical documents start journey across US as part of nation's 250th anniversary celebration
Culture
1 w. Celebration or grief? Khamenei’s death brings contrasting emotions in Iran
Politics
7 d. Protestors clash with mourners at candlelit vigil for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Manchester
Politics
4 d. Olympian Eileen Gu heads up annual Chinese New Year parade in her native San Francisco
Culture
3 w. During the Winter Games, some Milan churches are teaching Olympic values to thousands of kids
Education
2 w. ‘A joyful day’: final piece of Sagrada Familia’s central tower put in place
Culture
1 M. ‘You can’t progress without a struggle’: Ukrainian sumo star Aonishiki on the next step, and life back home
Entertainment
3 d. Indians pour into streets to dance, sing and celebrate after historic T20 cricket World Cup win
Culture
1 M. ‘We lived a miraculous thing’: Castel di Sangro, 30 years on from their epic rise
Entertainment
3 w. Historic medieval ruins with incredible carvings overlooked for famous neighbour
Culture
1 M. Patsy Kensit takes epic trek for BBC's Pilgrimage to 'reconnect with what matters most'
Entertainment
1 M. Hapless Western backpackers gatecrash Thai funeral, thinking it's a restaurant, grabbing a table and looking for a menu
Entertainment
51 h. Tourist thanks 'legendary' people of Glasgow after almost missing flight
Travel
2 w. New luxury tourist train launches in Japan connecting visitors to sacred heritage site
Automotive
2 w. Why Japan’s traditional kimonos are making a fashion resurgence this year
Culture
3 w. Sardinia’s ancient masked rite of mamuthones and issohadores – in pictures
Culture
47 h. Tearful relatives of HMS Dragon crew speak of ‘scary and emotional’ farewell
Entertainment
8 d. Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff inspired by Alysa Liu’s journey from teen burnout to Olympic gold
Entertainment
4 w. Winter Olympics exhibition offers a glimpse behind the opening ceremony in Milan
Culture
1 M. Winter Olympics briefing: one final global showcase for Milan’s storied San Siro
Sport
1 h. Commemorating the victims of the Armed Conflict on the Nistru River: UK statement to the OSCE
Military
8 d. Beam lifting, digital fashion and Holi celebrations: photos of the day – Wednesday
Culture
4 w. Rituals, relics and dark magic: Why the heart wasn’t always a symbol of love
Culture
4 w. Wonderful Roman altars found under East Lothian cricket pitch are a Mithras miracle
Culture
4 w. Super Nintendo by Keza MacDonald review – a joyful celebration of the gaming giant
Entertainment
27 h. An earthquake anniversary and a Renaissance exhibition: photos of the day – Wednesday
Culture
3 w. The curling twist giving Great Britain hope of Winter Olympics great escape
Sport
1 M. Art After Dark returns to the West End with an exciting calendar of cultural events
Culture
3 w. Forces' Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn's wartime treasure trove will be shared with the nation after being given to the Imperial War Museum
Culture
3 w. Kirsty Muir's instant reaction to Winter Olympics heartbreak speaks volumes
Sport
Popular countries based on strong economic and political relations
Add Watch Country

arrow_drop_down