Constructing Identities through the Shikoku Pilgrimage

The Shikoku pilgrimage has, until very recently, seen significant growth in pilgrim numbers and appears, as such, to provide a counter-example the general trend evident surveys studies of declining engagement religious practices Japan. However, two caveats are needed here: have started fall last decade, those doing often recent times viewed their pilgrimages journeys self-discovery which identity is paramount faith irrelevant or explicitly denied. In addition, has been promoted by secular authorities signifier regional national cultural order develop tourist destination, boost local economy. this article, I explore these issues, drawing on fieldwork between 1984 2019 interviews with people—from pilgrims foot temple priests government officials—involved various ways pilgrimage. discussing how construction both major factor motives an aim agencies seeking promote for nonreligious reasons, examine what means religion today through highlighting Japanese theoretical examinations religion, pilgrimage, tourism while example fits provides critical counterarguments studies.