The head shrine of over 2,000 Shirayama shrines throughout Japan, located at the foot of Mount Hakusan in Ishikawa Prefecture. This ancient shrine is dedicated to Shirayama-hime-no-kami, the goddess of the sacred mountain, and serves as the spiritual center for mountain worship in the Hokuriku region.
- Denomination
- Shirayama
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Shirayama-hime-no-kami, goddess of Mount Hakusan
- Kami enshrined
- Shirayama-hime-no-kami, Izanagi-no-mikoto, Izanami-no-mikoto
- Founding
- Nara period · 717
- Shrine rank
- Ichinomiya
- Coordinates
- 34.9910992, 137.0834398
Visitor tip
Visit during autumn when the mountain foliage creates a stunning backdrop for the shrine buildings.
Cultural notes
Mount Hakusan is one of Japan's three sacred mountains along with Mount Fuji and Mount Tateyama. The shrine embodies the ancient Japanese belief in mountain kami and the purifying power of high places. Shirayama-hime-no-kami is particularly revered for protection during childbirth and safe travel.
Historical note
Founded in 717 CE by the monk Taicho, who also established the mountain worship tradition on Mount Hakusan. The shrine became the center of a syncretic religious practice combining Shinto mountain worship with Buddhist elements. It served as the base for pilgrims ascending the sacred mountain and played a crucial role in the development of mountain worship culture in Japan.