Shirayama Hime Shrine
白山比咩神社
Head shrine of some 3,000 Shirayama shrines across Japan, honouring sacred Mount Haku. Climb its approach past giant cedars into a calm, solemn air.
Head shrine of the Shirayama shrines, home of Mount Haku's deity
Shirayama Hime Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is the centre of "Hakusan faith", the worship of Mount Haku (Hakusan), the sacred mountain of the Hokuriku region, as a mountain of the gods, and it is regarded as the head shrine of the roughly 3,000 Shirayama (Hakusan) shrines across Japan. Locals fondly call it "Shirayama-san".
It is also the "Kaga Ichinomiya", meaning the highest-ranking shrine of the old Kaga Province (today's southern Ishikawa Prefecture). Near the summit of Mount Haku stands the Okumiya (an inner shrine on the mountaintop, paired with the main one), and this shrine at the foot of the mountain is the Honmiya, the main shrine.
Kukurihime, the goddess who ties things together
The shrine honours the goddess Shirayamahime-no-Okami, also known as Kukurihime-no-Mikoto, together with Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, the divine couple said to have given birth to the land of Japan.
In myth, Kukurihime made peace between Izanagi and Izanami after they had quarrelled and parted. Because "kukuri" echoes the verb kukuru (to bundle and tie together), she is also worshipped as a goddess of en-musubi (bringing people together, including in love) and of harmony.
According to shrine tradition, it was founded in 91 BC (the 7th year of Emperor Sujin). It moved several times, and after a great fire in 1480 it moved to its present site. The current main hall was built in 1770.
The main approach, lined with great trees
The main approach at the front is an uphill path of about 250 m, towered over by cedars said to be up to a thousand years old and by asunaro (a tree related to Japanese cypress). Walking between the trees towards the main hall, you can feel something very typical of Japanese shrines: the sense that nature itself is sacred.
The grounds also have a treasure museum displaying items handed down at the shrine, including a sword that is a National Treasure (closed in winter; check the official website for hours and fees).
Getting there
By train, take the IR Ishikawa Railway from Kanazawa Station to Nishi-Kanazawa Station, then change to the Hokuriku Railroad Ishikawa Line and ride to the end of the line at Tsurugi Station. From Tsurugi Station it is about 5 minutes by bus or taxi, or about 30 minutes on foot. With a rental bicycle from the station it takes about 10 minutes.
By car it is about 20 minutes from Mikawa IC on the Hokuriku Expressway. There are three free car parks. Because the main approach is uphill, wheelchair users are advised to use the car park on the north approach side.
Tips
- New Year brings big crowds, and extra shuttle buses run at the busiest times. For a quiet visit, avoid New Year and public holidays.
- The main approach is an uphill path of about 250 m. With a wheelchair or pushchair, use the car park on the north approach side, as the shrine advises.
- On the 1st of every month, many people come for "otsuitachi mairi", a visit to pray for a safe month ahead.
Sources
Updated 29 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.
