海田市宿(Kaitaichi inn town): one more step to Hiroshima downtown

I was sick, then with recovery, I decided to take summer vacation. Thank you so much for your patience. 

So, in the last article, I wrote “We are finally entering Hiroshima city”. Yes, technically. But 海田市宿(Kaitaichi inn town) is located in Kaita town, not Hiroshima city. From Saijo, Aki ward of Hiroshima city comes for a while, then along with Seno river, we go through Kaita town. What is more confusing is that, then San’yodo goes on Hiroshima city - Fuchu town - Hiroshima city. 

So, between Yokkaichi and Hiroshima inn town, we enter Hiroshima city x3!

Google map shows Hiroshima prefectural R-274 as 安芸山陽道(Aki-San’yodo), which is substantially the same as pre-modern San’yodo or Saigoku Kaido. 

Here is the overview. 


When I looked at one of old maps on a local information board, the beginning of Kaitaichi inn town is around here. The road is narrowed here, which could indicate that there was a gate. 
The structure that I circled blue reminds me of a Buddhist temple, but thus is not. 
A monument to honor a local politician, Yozo Kato.(1910-1989) He was born in this area, and was a member of House of Representatives and administrative vice-minister of Defense. 
Kumano shrine worships a local deity. It was established in 1654 by a village elder. Inside the shrine, there is a monument to commemorate those who died during WWII and atomic bomb victims in this area. 
Honjin inn aka Ochaya in this region is up on this path. Today there is a sign to point out where Honjin used to be. 
Kaita Ebisu shrine was established in 1675 to wish good luck and prosperity of thus area. Ebisu is a god of happiness and prosperity.(We’ve passed by multiple “Ebisu” shrine but I have not even explained until now!)  
Wakihonjin inn ruins. There is nothing but a parking lot today. 
Roughly 9-10km from the hypocenter of the atomic bomb, Kaitaichi still preserves pre-WWII buildings including some from Edo period. 
This is Shinshuji temple. According to its website, the temple was relocated to the current place from Fuchu city, eastern Hiroshima prefecture, in 1902. If you don’t know anything about Fuchu city, it is north of Onomichi, and has the headquarter of Ryobi, a world-leading power tool company. 
This is Chiba family residence. It was also used as a backup for honjin and wakihonjin inns. 
On the left, there is Miyake family residence, built in late 18th century. On the right, there is Myokenji temple. Its bell was made in early 18th century, and 
Here is another old house. 
This is the entrance to Daishiji temple, an iconic temple in Kaita  town. It was built in 1804, and a temple of Koyasan-Shingonshu Buddhism. 
This monument is about Yasuo Sanada, who passed away at the age 100 in 2004. He helped restore electricity right after A-bomb. Later he became the vice president of Chugoku Electric Power Company. 
This is a sign for ichirizuka mileage maker ruins. I am not sure if this is the end of Kaitaichi inn town, or I already passed by the west gate trace.

JR Kaitaichi station is the crossroad of JR San’yodo line and JR Kure line, so the train service is frequent. 

The next stop is finally Hiroshima inn town/castle town.  



References: 

Hiroshima Documentary October-November 1945: Working Hard to Restore Power Supply for Post-War Recovery. Chugoku Shimbun. 復興へ送電再開に懸命　ヒロシマドキュメント1945年10月〜11月　中国新聞　https://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/articles/-/550787 (Accessed in 8/15/2025. In Japanese)

Kaita town, where you can feel nature, history and culture. Dive! Hiroshima.    https://dive-hiroshima.com/en/course/kaitaichi-sta/ (Accessed in 8/11/2025)

Walking around Hiroshima’s 8 wards: Saigoku Kaido. Hiroshima city. (The original title:ひろしま8区ぐるっと散策「みち」めぐり　西国街道　広島市) https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/living/community/1021315/1026271/1026272/1018367.html (Accessed in 8/12/2025 In Japanese)

Saigoku Kaido/Kaitaichi Yumekaido Renaissance. Chugoku Economic Federation/Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Toirusm Chugoku Regional Development Bureau, Road Department, Regional Road Division. (西国街道・海田市　夢街道ルネサンス　中国経済連合会／国土交通省中国地方整備局道路部地域道路課) https://www.cgr.mlit.go.jp/cgkansen/yumekaidou/pc/nintei/34/road_34.html (In Japanese: accessed in 8/11/2025)

Saigoku Kaido From Kaita to Funakoshi. Hiroshima Mukashi Tanken Net. Hiroshima Web Museum. Hiroshima City Culture Foundation.(西国街道　海田から船越まで　ひろしま昔探検ネット　広島市文化財団文化科学部文化財課) https://www.mogurin.or.jp/maibun/kojikodo/saigoku/saigoku1-2.htm (Accessed in 8/11/2025. Check out PDF on the page)






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