Personal Stays and Reflections
A journey of 1,200km is shaped by the places where we rest each night. This category is a simple record of the various accommodations I encountered during my 35-day pilgrimage. From the quiet atmosphere of a Shukubo (temple lodging) and historic ryokans to the familiarity of a business hotel, these are honest reflections of the nights that supported my long walk.
Rather than a definitive guide, these entries are personal impressions and practical notes from my own perspective. Whether you are looking for a few hints for your own journey or simply wish to glimpse the diverse ways a traveler finds rest on the road, I hope these accounts bring the quiet reality of the Shikoku nights a little closer to you.
The entrance of Morimoto-ya is unexpectedly neat (sorry, but I expected these guest house would be old and so so). The old landlady welcomed me. She told me that she will wash my Kongo-zue (Pilgrim’s stick), and then guided me to this cozy room after showing me where is the bathroom. She then suggested me …
Continue reading “Day 1: Guest house Morimoto-ya (ๆฐๅฎฟ ๆฃฎๆฌๅฑ)”
A friendly lady welcomed me. I asked her how I should handle Kongo-zue, then she told me I should put aside in the entrance. OK, there’re some difference (Last night, they make it clean and brought it into the room), it’s interesting. The room was bit narrow, but good enough for one person. After a …
After 30 minutes walk from No.12 Shozan-ji, I arrived at this Jyosan-an where there’s a grave of Emon-Saburo. His story is said to be the beginning of Shikoku Pilgrimage. You can read its story here. It’s always interesting to see something different than what I see in the city. This types of old house is …
The Henro route to the next No.18 Onzan-ji will pass the center of Tokushima city, where I was in Day 1. Considering the time, I planned to stay Hotel Sunroute Tokushima (economy hotel), which is located just in front of Tokushima station, because it has Onsen, nice! ๐ I wanted to take a look at …
Continue reading “Day 4: Hotel Sunroute Tokushima (ใใใซใตใณใซใผใๅพณๅณถ)”
Can you imagine what is the origin of this building, which is now used for hotel ? Sakamoto elementary school was closed in 1994, and then renovated in 2002 to the experience-based facility for farming including accommodation. Fureai-no-sato Sakamoto is also used as community center of this area, and today elder people gather to enjoy …
Continue reading “Day 5: Fureai-no-sato Sakamoto (ใตใใใใฎ้ ๅๆฌ)”
The guest house Sazanka is located just next to No.22 Byodo-ji. The main building is old, but they built another building for pilgrims to stay, which is pretty new and cozy. While doing the laundry, I made a reservation for guest houses upcoming few days. The dinner at Sazanka was really delicious with thick Sashimi, …
It seems that the main business of the guest house Kaizan-so is restaurants, and as such, the dinner was quite good. On the table, I found this yellow “soy sauce” and wonder what it is… according to the landlord it is Yuzu-su (ๆๅญ้ ข) which suites great with grilled fish. I got a message from the …
After sight seeing cape Muroto, my old friend kindly brought me to guest house Shiina. I could rest my left knee whole day today thanks to him. “Oh, you arrived quite early” said the landlady. It was around 15:00 indeed, and I told her that my old friend gave me a ride to come here …
Continue reading “Day 8: Guest house Shiina (ๆฐๅฎฟ ๆคๅ)”
The road to Nahari town continues with the magnificent view of Pacific Ocean. The white spray from the waves comes one after another on the big black rocks. The road is about 34km to Nahari town, with some light ups and downs along the way, but my legs are doing okay. I’m hoping it’s going …
Continue reading “Day 9: The hotel Nahari (ใใใซใชใฏใ)”
I called for someone at the door, but no one came out. After calling for a while, an old man finally came out and told me that here is a dining room, and that the room can be found in other building. Then a kind-looking landlady guided me to the room and showed me where …
Continue reading “Day 10: Guest house Sumiyoshi-so (ไฝๅ่)”
I originally planned to walk down to Kochi city and walk to the hotel, however, I decided to take a bus to the city since I was exhausted and I also wanted to buy some medicine and insole to ease the strain on my foot. Instead, tomorrow morning, I’ll take a bus to go back …
Continue reading “Day 11: Richmond hotel Kochi (ใชใใใขใณใใใใซ ้ซ็ฅ)”
There’s only a few hotels available in Tosa city, and all the guest house are closed maybe due to off season. So this economy hotel was the only choice for me. There’s nice bakery cafe next to the hotel. Since I have to leave very early in the morning tomorrow, I bought some bread for …
Continue reading “Day 12: Business-Inn Tosa (ใใธใในใคใณๅไฝ)”