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The oldest remaining shrine buildings in Nagano Prefecture, built in 1334. The four shrine buildings of Hakusan, Kumano, Izu, and Zao occupy the shrine grounds.
Hakusan Shrine was established in 1334 (late Kamakura period) and has the oldest remaining shrine buildings in Nagano Prefecture.
With Hakusan directly in front of you, the shrine buildings of Kumano and Izu are on the left, and Zao is on the right. They show the architectural techniques of the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333), such as ikkenja nagare-tsukuri hiwadabuki (extended curved roof with hinoki cypress thatching) and misedanatsukuri (no steps at the front of the shrine building).
It was designated as a national important cultural property.
The climb up the stone steps and path takes about five minutes. Cute guardian shrine dogs will welcome you. The dogs were donated in 1878. The shrine buildings of the late Kamakura period and the large wooden plaques that were dedicated in the Edo period are well worth seeing.
Mr. Yukio Yajima, representative for Hakusan Shrine parishioners
We interviewed Mr. Yukio Yajima. He is a representative of parishioners for Hakusan Shrine.
“This shrine was established in 1334, and has the oldest shrine buildings in Nagano Prefecture. It was designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
Pass through the gate, climb the stone steps and the approach, and you will see the four typical mountain shrines Zao, Hakusan, Izu, and Kumano housed within the outer structure.”
“On February 14, 1334.
The god of this shrine is called Kikurihime-no-mikoto or Kukurihime-no-mikoto. The god helped Izanagi-no-mikoto and Izanami-no-mikoto (the two gods that gave birth to the many islands of Japan) reconcile with each other, and thus became known as a god of marriage.
Shirayama-hime Shrine in Ishikawa Prefecture is the head shrine of the 2,700 Hakusan Shrines in Japan.
I recommend that couples go up hand-in-hand.” “They will be blessed just by going,” Mr. Yajima said.
It is a strange coincidence that the shrine was established on Valentine’s Day and that a god of marriage is enshrined here.
“A couple from Nagasaki asked me for directions.
They didn’t have any particular destinations in mind, and just came to see the Kiso area as a whole.
I unlocked the door and guided them inside. They appreciated that I let them in. If you wish to see the inside, don’t hesitate to ask me,” Mr. Yajima said.
This shrine is valuable, as the buildings of the Kamakura period have been preserved for several hundred years by the local people.
Pass under the historical stone gate and climb up the steps.
The four shrine buildings in the back are covered by the roof.
“Do you have any projects you are thinking of taking on?”
“This is a shrine with a long history. The most important thing is to leave behind the shrine for the next generation.
The 700th anniversary of its establishment is in 2034. I would like to come up with an idea for a big event marking the anniversary,” Mr. Yajima said.
The climb up the stone steps and path takes about five minutes. Cute guardian shrine dogs will welcome you. The dogs were donated in 1878. The shrine buildings of the late Kamakura period and the large wooden plaques that were dedicated in the Edo period are well worth seeing.
15 minutes’ walk
From the Ina Interchange on National road 361, 45 minutes by car
Tono, Okuwa Village, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Phone:0264-55-4566
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