The 6th stage of Pilgrimage, Anrakuji
TEL : 088-694-2046Address : 8-8 Teranonishikita, Hikino, Kamiita, Itano District, TokushimaAccess : JR Tokushima station > JR Itano station > 15 minutes busParking : There is a parking lotTime : Check-in 15:00 Check-out 9:30Room : 57 guest room
Shukubo (temple stay)
I stayed here on the second day. However, if you leave the 1st stage, Ryozen-ji temple, it is close enough to reach on foot within the day. The room was a six tatami mat room equipped with air conditioning, a TV and a washbasin. The door can be locked. Also, you can rent a yukata robe.
The bath is a hot spring bath with sodium bicarbonate water (containing solid acid carbonate and calcium). When this water comes into contact with the air, it oxidizes and turns brown. It is good for neuralgia, muscle aches, arthritic pain, bruises, sprains, diseases related to the digestive organs and fatigue. It was really good to remove the fatigue of the day.
For dinner, they served plum wine as an aperitif, tempura, cooked vegetables, salad and shrimp seasoned with vinegar miso. The dishes were very delicious and almond jelly was served for dessert.
Night memorial service
After dinner, there was a religious service. Textbooks were distributed and everyone chanted a sutra together. The Heart Sutra is the sutra necessary for the pilgrimage. So, it was a very good place to practice.
Kukai (Kobo Daishi) was such an excellent calligrapher that the phrase saying “Kobo does not choose a brush” was made. After the service, we saw exhibits of books in his handwriting. The calligraphy of Kukai, which varies according to his age, was all impressively beautiful.
Others
It seems that you can stay here without a reservation. (Of course it is better to make a reservation beforehand.) A person who was staying there came without reservation. There is a store inside the shukubo and you are able to buy goods necessary for the pilgrimage. The staff members at the shukubo casually share their time talking with guests. It is a very friendly shukubo .
