Sakae no Yashiro Shrine is one of Fukui City's major shrines, sitting adjacent to the ruins and former grounds of Fukui Castle. The shrine itself has a storied history but first came into prominence nearly 400 years ago. Today, it is a popular spot for tourists visiting Fukui because of its beautiful display of colour - more than 250,000 origami cranes decorate the shrine's frontage, making a burst of colour against the stoic backdrop of the shrine.
Come with us as we explore more about this beautiful spot in the heart of one of Japan's most-overlooked cities.
A Short History
The shrine was built in its current location in 1628 and dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the Three Great Unifiers of Japan. Ieyasu had positioned his second son, Hideyasu, as the lord of Fukui domain. The son changed his family name to Matsudaira to cleanly separate his descendants from the main family line and built Fukui Castle.
Later in 1873, Hideyasu was himself enshrined as a guardian deity of Fukui City by his descendent, the last lord of Fukui (who would also end up being enshrined there in 1940).
Sakae no Yashiro was destroyed during air raids in World War 2 along with much of Fukui City. To make things worse, the reconstruction efforts were hampered by the Great Fukui Earthquake of 1948, again levelling the city.
The people of Fukui were determined to continue reconstruction, though, and the shrine was completed in 1949. As materials were scarce, the shrine had deteriorated by the early 1980s and efforts to rebuild it again began. The current building was finished in 1992 and remains today.
Interesting Sites Nearby
Fukui is known as the Dinosaur Kingdom for its treasure trove of paleontological sites. For this reason, Fukui Station has several animatronic dinosaurs in its vicinity. There are also "dinosaur eggs" that can be sat in, Augmented Reality (AR) points around the station which can be scanned to bring the dinos to life and plenty of dinosaur-themed snacks and foods to be consumed!
Fukui is not just dinosaurs, though. A partnership with the Pokémon company means that Fukui has its own designated Pokémon - Dragonite. Fukui has original merchandise featuring Dragonite and pals and also houses 17 unique manhole covers dotted across the region. Catching them all is quite a task but will take you to some of Fukui's most scenic areas. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in doing - check out our page on the region's Pokémon Manhole Covers!
For the history buffs out there, Fukui is home to one of the most historically significant temples in Japan - Eiheiji! This temple is one of the two head temples of Soto Zen Buddhism and was built on the side of a mountain. The grounds are stunning to behold and the temple is almost ethereal in its atmosphere. For those reluctant to visit a place as remote as Fukui, Eiheiji is an excellent reason to spend a day in the region.
If we've swayed you, both Sakae no Yashiro Shrine and Eiheiji are included in our "Eiheiji Temple and Fukui Castle Town" tour, running all year round! Why not check it out?
Visiting Sakae no Yashiro
Getting to Sakae no Yashiro from Fukui Station couldn't be easier: it's only a 5-minute walk from the station's West Exit. To get there from Kanazawa Station, it takes roughly 35 minutes. Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Fukui Station and then it's just a short walk from there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Sakae no Yashiro most famous for?
Sakae no Yashiro is most famous for its 250,000 origami cranes. These were started by local schoolchildren during the COVID-19 Pandemic as a wish for the people of the world to get better and the tradition has been continued by locals and visitors to the shrine ever since.
When is the best time to visit Sakae no Yashiro?
The best time to visit Sakae no Yashiro is during the spring when the grounds are beautiful with cherry and blossoms, or in autumn for the region's vibrant foliage. While the shrine can be appreciated year-round, summer brings hot and humid temperatures, often with clear skies. Winter is also a special time, with the shrine and surrounding town often blanketed in snow, creating a picturesque landscape.
Does Sakae no Yashiro have a goshuin/shrine stamp?
Yes, Sakae no Yashiro offers several types of goshuin. Some are seasonal and many have cute depictions of dinosaurs or phoenixes (the symbol of Fukui Prefecture). Seasonal goshuin are almost always pre-prepared, meaning you will be given the paper and glue it into your book yourself.
How do I get to Zuisenji Temple?
From major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa or Toyama, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Fukui Station. From Fukui Station, it is a short walk to Sakae no Yashiro.
How long should I plan to be at Zuisenji Temple for?
A typical visit to Sakae no Yashiro, including time to admire the origami cranes, make one yourself and get a goshuin should take no longer than 30 minutes.