Abstract
This study reveals the rediscovery of the Doshu-michi, a 30-kilometer historical pilgrimage route associated with Akao Doshu, a devout follower of Jôdo Shin Buddhism (True Pure Land Buddhism) during the late 15th century. The research focused on identifying and reviving the original pilgrimage path traveled by Doshu, a route that begins at Gyotokuji Temple, which he founded, and Dozenji Temple, his birthplace, and ends at Zuisenji Temple, located in what is now Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. The route follows a ridgeline at an elevation of roughly 1,000 meters. Drawing on literature reviews, oral testimony from local elders, and systematic field surveys in both snow-free and snow-covered seasons, the author reconstructed the likely course of the route based on converging clues and direct engagement with the terrain. Findings highlight important geographical and historical insights, including abandoned villages, shrines, and the impacts of natural disasters. This revival underscores both the enduring cultural significance of the route and the modern challenges it now faces, particularly the need to balance heritage tourism with environmental stewardship in a sensitive mountain ecosystem.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Kaneko, Ryosei
(2026)
"The Resurrection of Doshu-michi: Reviving a Forgotten Pilgrimage Route in Japan,"
International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage:
Vol. 14:
Iss.
1, Article 13.
Available at:
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijrtp/vol14/iss1/13