A guide hole guides a primary-coated optical fiber to a tubular inlet
hole. An inner diameter of the guide hole is larger than that of the
tubular inlet hole. An inner diameter of the tubular inlet hole is in a
range from 1.5 times to 2.0 times that of the primary-coated optical
fiber. A length of the tubular inlet hole is in a range from 1.0 mm to
2.0 mm. A depth of the guide hole is in a range from 2.0 mm 9.0 mm. A
relation B.ltoreq.A is satisfied, with B equal to or larger than 7.0 mm,
where A is an inner diameter of a leading edge of the guide hole
continued to a trailing edge of the tubular inlet hole, and B is an inner
diameter of a trailing edge of the guide hole.