Located in the town of Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture, obutsu Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice goddess Inari Okami. The shrine's name 'obutsu' means 'eight', possibly referring to its eight main halls or to the eight virtues associated with Inari. The shrine complex features a unique torii gate and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, including a famous 'michi-no-eraba' (route-intersection) that symbolizes harmony between heaven and earth.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Okami
- Coordinates
- 35.9184883, 137.2041563
Visitor tip
For a unique experience, visit the shrine early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is low and the gardens are bathed in golden light.
Cultural notes
Inari Okami is revered for her role as patron of agriculture, industry, and commerce. The shrine is also famous for its 'tsukubai' (purification water troughs) where visitors can cleanse their hands before praying, a tradition believed to have originated with the shrine's connection to rice farming.
Historical note
The shrine's origins date back to the Nara period (710-794 CE), but it has undergone several renovations over the centuries.