Pilgrim Hut No.37 Shikinan ⸱ Hoou

General Description: Located about 8.5 kilometres from Sankakuji (T65), along Route 192 heading to Unpenji (T66). The hut is between the 14th Bekkaku, Jofukuji/Tsubaki-do and the Sakaime Tunnel at the border of Ehime/Tokushima Prefectures. About 2.5 kilometers after the bekkaku and about 2 kilometres before the tunnel.

The hut has a raised structure to avoid the noise of national roads. This is a road through which all pilgrims pass due to it laying in one of the few valleys in this mountain area. The hut was built with donations from Kawanoe Shinkin Bank in response to local people familiar with pilgrims, and was donated to Shikoku Chuo City.

The “Pope” (Houou/ほうおう) in the hut name is taken from the mountains to the south.

Water: Not Available Toilet: Not Available

2/4/2023 Comments: Located in the valley of the Kinsei River. Highway 192 passes by the hut and would have been busier in the past as it was the only route through the valley. However the newer Tokushima Expressway to the north would now divert most of that traffic. A long thin hut raised up on a high concrete base. It has long benches which would lend themselves to stretching out along. However the ends are open and the hut is oriented along the valley, so it would be a breezy shelter. Good in summer, not as attractive in cooler weather. The substantial roof and length of the shelter would ensure it remained mostly dry even with a strong wind.

5 photos submitted

Don’s sleep score: 1

No water, no toilet, no charging, right next to a (quiet) road, houses nearby -- okay for a short rest.

3 photos submitted