noun
pilgrimage; Shikoku pilgrimage
Specifically refers to the pilgrimage circuit of 88 temples on Shikoku (四国八十八箇所). Often used in compounds like 遍路道 (pilgrimage route) or お遍路さん (pilgrim).
See also: 四国八十八箇所
来年、四国遍路に出るつもりです。
I plan to go on the Shikoku pilgrimage next year.
noun
pilgrim; Shikoku pilgrim
Refers to a person undertaking the Shikoku pilgrimage. Often seen with honorific prefix お (お遍路さん).
道でお遍路さんを見かけた。
I saw a Shikoku pilgrim on the road.
巡礼 is a general term for pilgrimage to any sacred site, while 遍路 specifically denotes the Shikoku 88-temple circuit.
Derived from the practice of circumambulating the 88 temples of Shikoku. The kanji 遍 (everywhere) and 路 (path) reflect the circuitous nature of the pilgrimage.