What is Shirayama Hime Shrine?
Shirayama Hime Shrine is the head of all 2000 "Hakusan Jinja" shrines across Japan, located at the foot of the traditional ascent to the peak of Mt. Haku. Now, it is classified as a Shinto shrine although its roots lie in what was called the Hakusan Shinkou, the religious worship of Mt. Haku. Many people visit Shirayama Hime Shrine to get blessings - for starting a new job, moving house, getting a new car, or any other new venture in life - or to collect the shrine's goshuin, red stamps that are offered at shrines and temples across Japan.
History of Shirayama Hime Shrine
The shrine claims it was founded by Emperor Sujin, the semi-mythological 10th emperor of Japan, sometime between 97BC and 30BC, although this claim is unproven. The shrine was rebuilt in 716 by Empress Gensho. A year later, a monk called Taichou is said to have been the first person to successfully summit Mt. Haku.
Records do show that there was a shrine built in the current location by 853. Over time, it was granted higher and higher levels of importance. As Buddhism, particularly Zen, spread across Japan during the 1100s-1400s, Shirayama Hime began to incorporate some of the practices and rituals and the Hakusan Jinja spread across Japan.
Things came crashing down with the rise of the militant Buddhist sect the Ikko-Ikki. For around a century, the sect took over the region from Fukui to Kanazawa and into parts of Toyama. They revoked parts of the estate of the shrine and halted its funding. It burned down in 1480 and lay in ruins for a century.
In what is now considered Kanazawa's Golden Age, the Maeda family were granted the land that would become modern Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures. The first daimyo, Maeda Toshiie (himself later deified and enshrined at Oyama Shrine in Kanazawa), restored the shrine and his descendants patronised the shrine through the Edo Period (1603 - 1868). After the end of the samurai era, the national government classified the shrine as the second-highest "tier" of worship.
Visiting Shirayama Hime Shrine
There are two parking areas for the shrine, but we recommend parking at the Minamisando Parking Lot, as it allows for a short climb up these beautiful steps. On either side, Japanese pine, maple, cedar and zelkova trees line the path. Some of these trees are 300-400 years old. One cedar tree at the top of the ascent is more than 800 years old. This area is a wonderful sight all year round, transforming with the seasons and creating an ethereal atmosphere as you make your way to the shrine.
If you book in advance, you can take part in a water purification ritual called misogi. Participants bathe in a small pond whose water comes from an underground spring. This water is considered holy and is called Hakusansui.
Goshuin at Shirayama Hime Shrine
The building to collect goshuin from Shirayama Hime Shrine is easy to find. If you are facing the shrine, it is on your left. The shrine also sells books, so you can get your goshuin journey started here!
There are sometimes seasonal-themed books on offer. The one shown here, which is available all year round, bears the emblem of the Hakusan Jinja sect. The words written on the left say goshuincho, literally "red stamp book."
While Shirayama Hime usually doesn't offer seasonal or special event goshuin, it does use a seasonal stamp. Shown left is anemone, used in June. Shown right is the wedgeleaf primrose, local to the area and called hakusan kozakura.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does it cost anything to enter the shrine?
Entering the grounds is free, as is the case with most shrines in Japan. There is a treasure hall with some artefacts on display which costs 300 yen to enter.
How much is the goshuin?
The stamps themselves are usually JPY 300 - 500. The books are around JPY 1000, but seasonal ones may be much more than that.
How can I get to Shirayama Hime Shrine?
Getting there is a bit hard, but worth it! From Kanazawa Station, take the IR Ishikawa Railway Line to Nishi-Kanazawa Station. From there, walk three minutes to Shin-Nishikanazawa Station and take the Hokuriku Tetsudo - Ishikawa Line for 27 minutes to Tsurugi. From there, take the bus from Tsurugi Ekimae (just outside the station) to the shrine. The bus takes around 10 minutes.
I want to take a tour to Shirayama Hime Shrine, can you help me?
Snow Monkey Resorts currently offers a tour to Shirayama Hime Shrine, running from April to November, our Ancient Temples, Panoramic Views and Butterflies takes guests through the historic town of Tsurugi, into the Shirayama Hime Shrine and, finally, into a butterfly house with more than 1000 butterflies inside. This tour is guaranteed to be a highlight of any trip to Japan!
New Tour
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Beautiful Natadera Temple, Craft Village and Dance with Real Geisha in Yamanaka Onsen
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