Japan

Can sand stand in for a 1,200-kilometre pilgrimage?

In Japan, there is a tradition called osunafumi. Sand from each of Shikoku’s 88 Buddhist temples is collected and laid out for visitors to walk across while praying.

The tradition began around 400 years ago for people unable to make the long pilgrimage. Walking on sand from all 88 temples is said to bring the same spiritual merit as visiting them.