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Welcome to Sumotoriya Asano Sohonten (スモトリ屋浅野総本店)

Your Pilgrimage Supply Shop Near Temple No. 10 (Kirihataji) on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage

Located in Awa City, Tokushima, Japan, Sumotoriya Asano Sohonten is a family-run shop that has been serving pilgrims and the local community for over 140 years. Situated along the approach to Kirihataji Temple (Temple No. 10), we specialize in traditional Buddhist goods, supplies for the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage (O-henro), and professional mounting services for pilgrimage scrolls.

We welcome pilgrims from around the world, whether you are preparing for your first pilgrimage, walking the route, or returning to Shikoku to complete your journey.

1. Why "Sumotoriya"? Our History

Our shop was founded by Isekichi Asano, who was an enthusiastic supporter of local amateur sumo wrestling. This is how our unusual name, Sumotoriya (meaning "sumo wrestler"), came about. You can still see a sumo wrestler on our shop sign today.

Our founder was also passionate about sharing the culture of the Shikoku pilgrimage with people throughout Japan. He produced and distributed pilgrimage maps, guidebooks, Buddhist sutra books, and other publications to help pilgrims on their journeys.

Today, we are proud to continue his tradition of welcoming and supporting pilgrims from Japan and around the world.

2. O-Henro Supplies and Advice for International Pilgrims

Preparing for the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage can be confusing, especially if it is your first time. We carry a wide selection of traditional pilgrimage supplies and are always happy to help you choose what you need.

• Pilgrimage Supplies: White pilgrim jackets (hakui), Buddhist stoles (wagesa), pilgrim hats (sugegasa), walking staffs (kongo-zue), stamp books (nokyocho), pilgrimage scrolls (nokyojiku), and many other items.
• Our Advice for Walking Pilgrims: Start light. You do not need to carry all your pilgrimage equipment from Temple No. 1.
• Our Recommendation: Carry only the essentials for Temples 1 through 10, then pick up additional supplies at our shop after visiting Kirihataji. We are happy to help you decide what you really need, depending on how you plan to travel.

Order Before You Arrive — International Shipping and Hotel Delivery

You can order pilgrimage supplies from us before leaving your home country.

• International Shipping: We ship pilgrimage supplies overseas, so you can prepare for your journey before coming to Japan.
• Delivery to Your Accommodation in Japan: We can also arrange delivery to your hotel or other accommodation in Japan, so your supplies are waiting for you when you arrive.
• Questions and Special Requests: If you are unsure what to order, or need help arranging delivery, please feel free to contact us. We regularly assist international pilgrims and will be happy to help.

3. Professional Pilgrimage Scroll Mounting (Nokyojiku / Kakejiku)

Many pilgrims collect temple stamps and calligraphy on a pilgrimage scroll (nokyojiku) as they visit the 88 temples. Once completed, the scroll can be professionally mounted as a traditional Japanese hanging scroll (kakejiku), preserving the memories of your pilgrimage for years to come.

Mounting by a Certified Craftsman

Your pilgrimage scroll will be mounted with care by our owner, a First-Class Certified Japanese Scroll Mounting Craftsman (Ikkyu Hyoso Ginoshi), a nationally recognized professional qualification in Japan.

We offer a selection of traditional fabrics and mounting designs, and we are happy to help you choose a style that suits your scroll.

A Convenient Option for Pilgrims Visiting Koyasan

Many pilgrims stop by our shop on their return journey from Temple No. 88 to Temple No. 1 to choose the fabric and design for their finished hanging scroll.

They then continue to Koyasan (Mount Koya) to complete their pilgrimage.

After visiting Koyasan, you can send your scroll to our shop for mounting, with the domestic shipping charges paid by us. Simply send it with shipping charges payable by the recipient, and we will cover the shipping cost from Koyasan to our shop.

There is no need to return to our shop to collect your finished hanging scroll.

• International Shipping: We can arrange international shipping of your completed hanging scroll.
• Remote Payments: We accept payments through PayPal or Stripe, so you can complete the process even after returning to your home country.
• Help with Arrangements: If you have questions about shipping your scroll from Koyasan, please contact us before sending it.

¥5,000 Discount on Scroll Mounting

If you purchase your pilgrimage scroll (nokyojiku) from our shop, you will receive a ¥5,000 discount on the mounting service when you send it back to us after completing your pilgrimage.

You do not need to have your scroll mounted immediately. We can assist you with the mounting arrangements later, including after you have returned home.

We are happy to help you throughout the process, from choosing your pilgrimage scroll to having it professionally mounted and shipped overseas.

4. Shikoku 20 Bekkaku Temples: Prayer Bead Assembly (Nenju / Juzu)

In addition to the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, some pilgrims also visit the Shikoku 20 Bekkaku Sacred Temples, a separate pilgrimage route often combined with the 88 temples.

Pilgrims can collect wooden beads at these temples and have them assembled into a finished set of Buddhist prayer beads (nenju or juzu).

We offer this prayer bead assembly service and regularly assist international pilgrims.

• Prayer Bead Assembly: We can arrange to have the beads you collected made into a finished set of Buddhist prayer beads.
• International Shipping: We can arrange international shipping of the completed prayer beads.
• Overseas Customers Welcome: Many of our international customers have used this service, and we are always pleased to help them turn their pilgrimage beads into a lasting reminder of their journey.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like to know more about the service or how to send your collected beads to us.

5. Rest, Refresh, and Local Information (Osettai)

Kirihataji Temple is reached by a steep approach that includes 333 stone steps. Our shop is located along the approach, making it a convenient place to stop before or after visiting the temple.

• Luggage Storage: You are welcome to leave your heavy backpack or luggage at our shop while you climb the steps to Kirihataji Temple.
• Osettai (Pilgrim Hospitality): Stop by for a cup of tea, a drink, or a little something to eat. We often offer sweets, snacks, or seasonal fruit as osettai, the traditional Shikoku custom of offering hospitality to pilgrims.
• JNTO-Certified Tourist Information Center: Our shop is also a tourist information center certified by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). We are happy to share local information, travel tips, and practical advice for your pilgrimage.

You are welcome to stop by even if you do not need to buy anything.

Whether you need pilgrimage supplies, advice about your journey, or simply a place to rest for a while, we look forward to meeting you.

Contact & Visit Us

Sumotoriya Asano Sohonten (スモトリ屋浅野総本店)

Location: Along the approach to Kirihataji Temple (Temple No. 10), Awa City, Tokushima, Japan.

Services for International Pilgrims: Pilgrimage supplies, international shipping, delivery to accommodation in Japan, professional pilgrimage scroll mounting, prayer bead assembly, remote payments, luggage storage, and tourist information.

If you have any questions about our products or services, please contact us using the form below. You are welcome to write in English.

Contact Us

Have a wonderful pilgrimage, and we hope to see you in Shikoku!