NARUTO, Tokushima Pref. -- More than 1,100 years after the death of legendary Buddhist priest Kobo Daishi, pilgrims continue to flock to the temples he founded in Shikoku.

The pilgrims, called "ohenro-san," wear only white clothing and use wooden walking sticks. The clothing is normally worn by the dead during burials and the sticks previously represented grave markers. Until the Meiji Era, many pilgrims used to collapse and die during their long and difficult journey to Shikoku, said Chozen Yoshimura, chief priest at Naruto's Ryozenji Temple.

"When I was a child, I saw many people suffering from such serious diseases as leprosy come here, wishing to be cured," said Yoshimura, 67, who was born and raised at the temple. According to tradition, if a pilgrim visits all 88 temples designated by Kobo Daishi, their wish will come true. Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai, founded the Shingon sect.

Ryozenji Temple, which attracts about 100,000 pilgrims every year, is the starting point of the 88-temple pilgrimage. Most of the 100,000 pilgrims now appear to be tourists who visit by car or tour bus.

But about 1,000 people, apparently with important wishes or serious problems, still walk the 1,450-km pilgrimage road every year. It typically takes about 40 days for men and 50 days for women to complete the 88-temple pilgrimage. It usually takes eight days by car to complete the entire course.