But one can make it at one's own convenience. Many people divide it into 4 or more pilgrimages over a year or several years. It does not matter how one goes, when one goes, how many temples one covers or which temple one begins with, as long as one retains the spirit of pilgrimage. Many people go in their sportswear or everyday clothes, in sneakers and wearing hats. This faith keeps the pilgrims cheerful and brave during the journey.
Accommodations are excellent in or around the temples.
There used to be a charming custom of zengon-yado or giving a pilgrim free bed and board. In the evening, a child of the house was sent out to the nearest temple to find one or two pilgrims to take in that night. All the host expected from them was a piece of osame-fuda or a name card they carried to offer at temples, for he was doing it for Daishi himself. Begging was also an important part of pilgrimage as ascetic practice. So even the rich of high rank had to beg from time to time.