八幡神社, located in the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is one of Japan's oldest and most revered Shinto shrines. Dedicated to the protection of travelers, fishermen, and farmers, the shrine is particularly notable for its beautiful vermilion torii gate, which is painted every five years on the fifth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar. The shrine complex also features a number of historic buildings, including the Honden (main hall) and the Shimenawa (sacred fence).
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Hachiman
- Kami enshrined
- Hachiman
- Coordinates
- 36.5939952, 136.6672517
Visitor tip
To experience the full beauty of the vermilion torii gate, visit the shrine on the fifth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, when it is repainted. Be sure to arrive early, as the painting process can take several days to complete.
Cultural notes
As one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines, Eight-Horned God Shrine (Hachiman-jinja) has been a major center for Shinto worship and mythology. According to legend, Hachiman Okami was called upon by Emperor Kinmei in 593 CE to protect Japan from invading armies.
Historical note
The shrine was founded during the Enryaku period (794-807 CE), making it one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines.