Shirayamahime Shrine

History and Divine Virtue

Shirayamahime Shrine is the head shrine of the roughly three thousand Hakusan shrines across Japan, venerating the sacred peak of Hakusan as its divine body. As the ichinomiya (first shrine) of Kaga Province, it has long been known affectionately as Shirayama-san. Its three deities are Shirayamahime-no-Okami — that is, Kukurihime-no-Mikoto — together with Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto. Kukurihime appears only once in the Nihon Shoki chronicle: at the border of the land of the dead, she mediated between the quarreling Izanagi and Izanami and led them toward reconciliation. From this episode, and true to her name — kukuru, to bind together — she has been worshipped as a goddess of harmony and en-musubi, the tying of bonds, one who reties the threads between people and between things. The shrine is said to receive not only prayers for romance but those of anyone hoping to mend a strained relationship. The main approach, shaded by cedars and zelkovas over a thousand years old, is among the most pristine sacred groves in the Hokuriku region, and the temizu basin fed by Hakusan's underground waters is famous. The inner sanctuary stands on the summit of Hakusan, and in summer many pilgrims climb to the shrine at the peak.

Visiting Notes

• The main approach, enfolded in ancient cedars and zelkovas, is among the most solemn groves of old Kaga. A morning visit, when the air is clearest, is said to be exceptional.
• On the first day of each month, the otsuitachi-mairi observance draws worshippers from early morning.
• The inner sanctuary stands on Gozengamine, the summit of Hakusan; a worship point within the grounds allows those who cannot climb to pray toward it.

Deities and Location

Enshrined Deities

Shirayamahime-no-Ōkami (Kukurihime-no-Mikoto), Izanagi-no-Mikoto, Izanami-no-Mikoto

Location

石川県白山市三宮町 (Ishikawa)

Access

Bus or car from Tsurugi Station on the Hokuriku Railroad Ishikawa Line

Lineage

En-musubi: Bonds & Love

Visiting hours, goshuin (shrine stamps), and festival dates change; please confirm the latest information through each shrine's official announcements. If you find an error in this entry, we would be grateful if you let us know.