Pilgrim Hut No.45 Kukaian ⸱ Kirihata

General Description:

It is about 1.7 km from the Kirihataji (T10) and is located north of the intersection of Prefectural Road 12 where the Shikoku Electric Power Substation is located (an easily seen land mark). It is on the right hand side (west), travelling towards Fujidera (T11) which is 8.5 kilomteres away.

The hut's design is based on a loom. There was a legend that when a woman was weaving a kimono on a loom, Kobo Daishi wanted a piece of cloth, though that would ruin the kimono she was weaving. Even so she cut off the cloth on the machine to give it to him.

13/4/2019 Comments:

An unusual two storey hut. The lower portion has seating while the upper portion, though only having half height walls, would make for a convenient overnight stop with narrow benches on three sides.

The Henro association notes there is no toilet, however in April 2019 there was a portable toilet behind the hut. The hut also has electricity, but it is limited to lighting. I was unable to find any place to plug in a phone charger.

The hut is in a built up rural area of the Tokushima valley, it is quiet but not isolated. Highway 12 is about 100 m to the south of the hut. A number of amenities can be found along the highway within a kilometre, such as restaurants, dentist and a convenience store.

(no photos)

Don’s sleep score: 0

There is no water or toilet. There is a restaurant (udon) 200 m. away. The nearest convenience store is about 750 m. to the southwest. In the past, some pilgrims slept here, but since the toilet is gone it's not longer a good place to stay.

4 photos submitted