The Way of Sant James

• Today, Nava Castro opened the show on this Japanese route organized by the Shikoku Trail World Heritage Committee
• Until 24 September, the Museum of Pilgrimage and St. James will display historical objects and current images which speak to the history and spirituality of this pilgrimage route
• The exhibition is a further development within the co-operation agreement signed two years ago, which has enabled Galicia to carry out promotional and cultural activities in Japan

Santiago de Compostela, 21 July 2017

Turismo de Galicia Director Nava Castro opened the exhibition O Camiño de Shikoku (The Shikoku Trail) at the Museum of Pilgrimage and St. James today. The show takes visitors on a journey through the history and spirituality of this Japanese pilgrimage route – which spans 1400 kilometres and is associated with 88 temples in the prefectures of Tokushima, Kochi, Ehime and Kagawa – presenting historical pieces and images of the pilgrimage today.

The exhibition has been organized by the Shikoku Trail Unesco World Heritage Committee and the prefectures. Among other objects, it features the first guide to the Shikoku Trail, published in the late 17th century by an ascetic from Osaka. Visitors will also find the document used by pilgrims as proof of their visit to each of the temples, an element which has certain parallels with the Way of St. James.

‘This introduction to the Shikoku Trail in Galicia is a further development within the co-operation agreement signed two years ago,’ stated Nava Castro. The director highlighted that during this period, contact between Japan and Galicia has continued to grow, making is possible to organize initiatives to benefit both areas, such as the various promotional and cultural activities for the Way of St. James carried out in Japan.

Until 24 September, O Camiño de Shikoku will explore the particular features of this pilgrimage route, which has from its beginnings been linked to the figure of Kobo Daishi, a Buddhist monk better known as Kukai. Traditionally, the Shikoku Trail acted as a sort of spiritual training for Buddhist ascetics and monks, who travelled the route meditating and praying.

Historic high for Japanese pilgrims

In her speech, Nava Castro underscored the fact that more and more Japanese pilgrims are completing the pilgrimage route to Compostela. Specifically, she noted that a decade ago the number of pilgrims following the route was slightly more than 300, and that in 2016 it reached a historic high of almost 1500. In fact, this growing interest now puts Japan among the top 20 nationalities on the Way of St. James for the first time. ‘We are pleased that this is the case and hope this number will continue to grow,’ stated the Turismo director.

The travel itinerary for the Japanese delegation also includes a section of the Portuguese Route and a visit to one of the pilgrim hostels managed by the Xacobeo company.